Bloompop, an online marketplace for flower bouquets using local florists, will be exiting private beta at the end of August. The company, which was founded in January by Shavanna Miller, operates out of 1776.
"We're an online marketplace for beautiful flowers," explains Miller. "We offer quality and unique designs from local florists. These are not cookie-cutter designs." Bloompop's model is similar to Etsy's, in that florists will have their own shops with their own designs featured. In addition, Bloompop has a social component. It is integrated with Facebook and Pinterest, and customers can browse and "favorite" flowers and arrangements, which makes it easier for customers' significant others or family members to send something that they really like.
Bloompop currently delivers to locations in D.C., Arlington, Alexandria, McLean and parts of Bethesda and Silver Spring. The company is working with local florists in each location that "match our aesthetic," says Miller. "Our goal is to [be] nationwide. We'll be adding three more cities by the end of the year." For now, she explains, it's easier to get feedback on Bloompop's service and "work out the kinks and logistics" by starting in an area where she and her two employees live and work.
When it exits private beta, Bloompop will offer flower arrangements at three different price points: $69, $99 and $129. "We will have higher-end arrangements," Miller says. Though online floral delivery services like ftd.com and 1800flowers advertise arrangements at prices below those of Bloompop's, Miller says that after fees and taxes are added, "you really can't get out for under $75."
Bloompop takes a percentage of every sale, but, Miller explains, "it's less of a percentage than [other online floral delivery companies] take, and there are no membership fees. We look at [our fee] as part of the marketing budget a florist would have spent otherwise."
"I love flowers, I've always had gardens and I've always used local florists," says Miller. "I felt there was a need for [Bloompop]."