Husband-and-wife team Tyler and Courtney Haisty started the new year by starting a business. They opened The Floral Court in Russellville in January 2023.
Both are Arkansas Tech University graduates, Courtney earned a psychology degree, and Tyler majored in business.
As a student, Tyler got acquainted with the ATU Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center through a class project.
“My business degree from ATU has helped in so many ways with the business. If I could point to one thing specifically, it would be the project we did in my Money & Banking class with an ASBTDC client,” said Tyler.
For the project, students were matched with a local startup business to assess and report on funding options. “That class taught me what the basics of starting a business were and what tools to utilize,” he said. “I know I use those tools every day.”
Courtney’s reason for wanting to start a business was so she could push her floral design and creativity to their greatest potential.
“Having my own shop of some kind was a dream I had growing up. I have always been an artsy person and dabbled in all things crafty,” she said. “Not long after I started working as a floral designer, I knew I had found my niche and wanted to eventually open my own flower shop.”
Last summer, the Haistys came to the ASBTDC at Arkansas Tech for assistance with their venture. Their consultant, Ronda Hawkins, helped them throughout the business planning and startup process.
Courtney found the step-by-step startup guidance for business formation, licenses, permits, and best practices the most helpful. “We had no idea where to begin, but the ASBTDC made the process much smoother, and it was comforting having someone to go to with all our questions,” she said.
Tyler appreciated the market research, along with advice on how to forecast what their business could achieve. “The projections that the ASBTDC helped us with better set us up for understanding how much we needed for startup as well as how much we needed to be profitable,” he remarked.
When asked to share her thoughts with other entrepreneurs, Courtney said, “If you have a dream that seems so far out of reach but it keeps you awake at night, go for it. Starting a business from the ground up is no easy task, but it is definitely worth the work. Make use of programs such as the services provided by ASBTDC so that you are aware of the risks and are better equipped for the project.”
The shop offers fresh and silk floral arrangements plus gifts. Visit The Floral Court at 911 E. Main St. in Russellville, online at www.thefloralcourt.com, or learn more on Facebook.