Name: Dani Christakos – The AZ Flower Garage
Facebook: @theazflowergarage
Instagram: @theazflowergarage
Website: www.theazflowergarage.com
Age: 48
Title: Founder/Owner of The AZ Flower Garage
Married/Single: Happily Married for 26 years
Kids: 3 – Chloe (24) Tommy (22) and Paige (19)
City you live in: Scottsdale
A typical day in my life includes… Getting up at 5:30 am. After 2 quick cups of coffee I head to Mayesh, my floral wholesaler, to pick out the daily flowers for our events and arrangements that day. I head back to the studio to process and prep the flowers for the day. Then I return all emails and Insta inquiries. If we have an event that night, I teach a workshop and then head home to catch up with my hubby!
I was born… In Brussels, Belgium. We moved to the States when I was a year old but I love that I was born in Europe!
My favorite thing about Arizona… The people! ! I have met so many incredible people through this business. Arizona is a great place to live and people who live here really enjoy life! I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with so many bright lights!
I’m listening to… silence! It drives everyone in my family crazy but I don’t love to listen to music! I love silence. I work best without background noise.
My family… My husband, 3 kids, 3 Shih Tzus and our pride and joy our Persian kitty Cheeto!
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… My Dad! He passed away 9 years ago and I would love to fill him in on everything that has happened since he has been gone.
One thing I cannot live without… Coffee!! I run to my Nespresso in the morning.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… an interior designer.
I’m inspired by… My husband. He came from very little and was given nothing. He has worked really hard and has built his dental practice from the ground up the last 19 years. His patients love him like family and I am inspired by how much he loves his patients. I always thought people hated going to the dentist…they love him!
The one person who motivates me is… Not one person, but my 3 kids. I started this business after staying home and raising them for 17 years. I really wanted to show them that you could raise a family and still follow your dreams. It is never too late!
If I could change anything in the world, it would be… Our division. I wish we could all just agree to disagree. We all might not believe the same but that’s ok. Let’s not let it divide us so much. Be ok with a persons different perspective even if it isn’t yours!
The perfect day would be… a typical Sunday! When you are in the event business, sometimes Sundays are the only day to rest. I enjoy a day without an agenda!!
My first job was… My first real job out of college was working for L’oreal Haircare as a sale rep. I loved that job!!
My favorite escape… Anywhere near the ocean.
My life… Is pretty busy! When I am not in the studio, I am usually traveling to see our kids. We have 3 kids living all over the country. Our eldest works in Manhattan, our son goes to UC Berkeley in the Bay area and our youngest goes to Lehigh in Pennsylvania. We spend a lot of our free time watching them play college sports! It is chaotic but we wouldn’t change it!
I’m currently working on… The grand opening party for our newest location on August 25th!
Always… Be kind, you never know what people are going through.
Never… Be a one upper!! Be happy with other people’s success!
Favorite Quote ….“I must have flowers,always, and always” Claude Monet – I love this quote because I truly believe that flowers are good for the soul! They make people feel happy and are proven to reduce stress! You can never have too many flowers!
Biggest Dream…To retire at the beach.
My Pet Peeve(s)… Being late!! I am always 5 minutes early!
