WORKING -- Kathy Lyon

-- Story by Deirdre Newman, photo by

SHE IS

Brightening the lives of her clients with her creative floral designs

A PERSONAL TOUCH

She traded in her wool business suits and pumps for Levi’s and tennis

shoes to try her hand at floral arrangements and never looked back. Kathy

Lyon, of Artistic Florists in Costa Mesa, has been adding her personal

touch to weddings, special events and funerals for the past 16 years.

“I always try to do something unique,” Lyon said. “I try to get a feel

for what [my clients] are looking for by asking a lot of questions.”

FROM BANKING TO BOUQUETS

Lyon left the high-paced world of banking to join husband Jim, who

bought the budding flower business 29 years ago. Under Jim’s care, the

business blossomed, Kathy said. She would help out on major flower

holidays and eventually became addicted to the creative nature of floral

design.

“I had done painting and ceramics, so it kind of came naturally. I

decided this is what I want to do. I found my passion,” she said.

Surrounded by stargazer lilies, sunflowers and marguerite daisies, to

name just a few, Lyon feels right at home as she deftly arranges a

topiary of yellow roses and then decides to transform it into a bridal

bouquet instead.

The stunning sight of a new rose color like “Timeless,” which is a

pale yellow, still takes her breath away, she admits.

FLORIST FOR ALL SEASONS

For all occasions, Lyon works closely with her clients to shape her

designs around their needs and ideas.

For a recent funeral for a longtime customer, Lyon followed her

client’s concept of a heart-shaped wreath with her late mother’s picture

in the middle.

“It took a lot of work, but it was very rewarding when you can take

someone’s vision and turn it into reality,” she said.

For weddings, she is a jack of all trades -- going beyond the duty of

florist to pitch in where needed.

“One bride, her dress ripped just before the wedding started, so I

started sewing her skirt,” Lyon reminisced. “I have experience from

working with the Boy Scouts, so my motto is ‘be prepared.”’

SECRET TO THE SHOP’S SUCCESS

And what does she attribute the business’ longevity to?

Kathy and her husband buy their flowers directly from growers in bulk,

so they can offer them fresh and at a reasonable price, she said.

Service is also key.

“If you don’t have that, it doesn’t matter how fresh your flowers

are,” she said, adding that the shop serves many long-term clients, such

as the Segerstroms, Saks Fifth Avenue, Taco Bell world headquarters and

the Mesa Verde Country Club.

They also run a tight flower ship -- keeping lots of records and

reviewing them annually to prepare for ordering for the following year.