Episode 106 - Adam Brand – A Legacy in Bloom: The Story of M&S Schmalberg Flowers
We’re travelling a different road today as in this episode we are going behind the scenes with Adam Brand as our guest today who is an owner of M&S Schmalberg Flowers. Since 1916 M&S Schmalberg Flowers – a 4th generation family-owned company - has been creating artificial flowers that have complemented the apparel, wedding, accessory, millinery and home furnishing industries. You’ve most likely seen their work in thousands of places and not known it or they story behind them.
The oldest and last of their kind in America, they are renown worldwide and have been featured in People Magazine, New York Magazine, Bazaar, Vogue, WSJ and more. Their creations have adorned A-List celebrities including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Sarah Jessica Parker, Beyonce, Bono, Scarlett Johansson, Rihanna, Jared Leto, Drew Barrymore and Winona Ryder. They have also been featured in the costuming for Hamilton, Boardwalk Empire, The Radio City Rockettes, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, The NYC Ballet, Sex and the City, The Gilded Age, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Bridgerton. And that’s not all…designers including Harry Winston, Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and more have featured their flowers.
(3:15) Adam introduces his company and shares its rich history starting in 1916 with Adam’s great, great uncles.
(5:59) Hear Adam’s story about his amazing Grandpa Harold who survived the Holocost, was shot it the next in an employee scuffle…and more. Harold Brand was a strong example of perseverance, strength and the belief that hard work pays off. This story will captivate you as you learn of resilience and tenacity like you’ve never heard before!
(16:40) How did Adam become a next generation “Flower Man”? Hear his very personal story. And learn of “the moment” when everything changed for him. All of this is so personal for him that he never gets the Sunday evening anxiety. And learn about Miriam…one of the company’s longest tenured employees who has seen generations of the family grow up. When the kids come into the shop “moral goes up, productivity goes down!”
(24:35) Want to know the process of creating these amazing flowers? Adam walks us through all the details… it’s very detailed, all done by hand and… it’s a beautiful thing!
(35:42) And how long does this whole process take? Well, it depends on many things. A super rush could produce one in 24 hours. More than that…it still depends! Learn why the fast turnaround isn’t always a good thing.
(36:54) In the early 1900’s there were hundreds of companies like Schmalberg’s. Why is Schmalberg that only one left standing? Luck + Magic + a strong work ethic. Here stories about the days when “the streets were alive”. Adam also extends an invitation to ANYONE who would like to learn more to visit any
(45:20) The orders produced and so very diverse and unique…Adam shares stories of a few of them…like how their flowers became featured on Bridgerton.
(49:55) Can you recognize Schmalberg flowers when you see them? Well most likely not, but Adam tells you where to look in general
(51:28) Hear about the phone call they received in 2016 that completely changed the company and their lives. And a few other unicorn events that made a difference
(55:30) What’s next for Adam and M&S Schmalberg? What’s his dream?
(57:10) Is there a question I didn’t ask that he wished I had asked? Not really, but Adam again extended an open invitation to visit and to reach out any time!
(59:15)How can you connect with Adam? (212) 244 - 2090, www.customfabricflowers.com, adam@customfabricflowers.com. Or stop by M-Th 9am-6pm, no appointment necessary!
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