For Par-Troy Floral Designer, Weddings Are All About Passion

Sheena Sementa doesn't have to go far to get to work. She's the proprietor of Bella Fiori, a floral and event design studio, which is housed in her Lake Hiawatha home. 

The business opened its doors in February 2012, just two months before wedding season, and almost from the beginning, it was a hit. Sementa reports that her unique, personal service is winning over many new clients.

While a large part of Bella Fiori's undeniable out-of-the-gate success comes from Sementa's devoted customer service, much has to be related to her unbridled enthusiasm, her flat-out passion for weddings and a special affinity she feels for brides.

"I love to help and give them advice," she told Patch. [For all or most of the brides],  "it's their first time walking the aisle. When I walked it, I had tons of questions and wish I had someone to help me out! I treat all of my brides how I would have wanted to be treated when I was in their position.

"I didn't enter this business to get rich," she said. "I did it because of the passion I have for weddings, designing and decorating parties, and because I love making other people happy especially on the biggest days of their lives. I'm so honored every time a bride chooses me to be a part of her day! 

1. Why was the flower business your choice? The flower business was a complete accident! I never thought of making my favorite hobbies into a full-time career, but I couldn't be happier life led me in this direction!  I have always enjoyed gardening and clipping flowers to make arrangements, making silk arrangements for the home and planning parties, but never imagined I would someday do this professionally! I feel like the luckiest girl on earth.
2. What is the concept behind Bella Fiori? The concept behind Bella Fiori is simple. Aside from the obvious, providing the freshest flowers and most innovative, "outside the box" ideas possible, I want to give brides the best experience possible, I want to give them the absolute most for their money and I want them to have the weddings of their dreams. I become close with all of my brides, I don't just hand then a contract and follow up a couple weeks before to collect their final payment before making their flowers. I stay in contact with them the whole way through. I encourage them to feel free to shoot me an email if they ever have a question or need advice for anythjng wedding-related, not just about their flowers, planning or custom orders—and I always answer back. I become their go-to source for anythjng wedding-related. By the time the wedding's here, I usually even get an invite! 
3. What challenges did you face in trying to get the store open? I was so lucky not to have challenges when opening the business, other than fitting all the supplies into my home studio of course! My husband used to have an office, man cave and tool room—it has all been converted into the shop! I am lucky to have such a supportive husband, though, not many men would sacrifice their man caves and tool rooms for their wives' flower shop. We have debated renting space and moving the shop to either a retail or  warehouse space, but I have grown to love working from home. I have the perfect space for what I do and everything I need right here (until I run out of rooms to convert) and get to spend all day long with my rescued puppies, which is a huge bonus! 
4. How's business? We recently were awarded best florist by Morris and Essex Health and Life magazine's readers choice awards for 2013, which is a huge accomplishment for us, only being in business for less than a year and a half!  Last wedding season was great. For our first year we did more than we could have ever imagined and this year we already have over 30 events booked and it is only April. We already have a dozen for 2014! 
5. Why Parsippany? Parsippany is where I live! My husband has lived in Parsippany his entire life and refused to leave, and I do not blame him one single bit. This town has it all and is close to all major highways, so it makes delivering the flowers a breeze!