Business Blossoms for Creative Sisters & ~ Layla Abby

Like many young people in recent years, Layla and Abby Olson came to Duluth to attend college and decided to stay. Together the sisters established Saffron & Grey Couture Floral Design, a sought-after boutique style floral shop in the Woodland neighborhood.

Layla and Abby didn’t set out to become entrepreneurs. Layla studied history and English while Abby studied mass communication. While in school, they worked together at a flower shop and discovered they both had a proclivity for floral design.

After graduation, they worked various “grown up” jobs but were never quite content with the work. They maintained a side gig doing flowers for the weddings of friends and family on a freelance basis.

Opening Up Shop

The pair was working together in a Duluth law office when a friend contacted them to ask if they were interested in buying her floral business in Woodland. They decided to seize the opportunity. “We said ‘absolutely!’ We didn’t even have to think about it,” says Layla. Within three weeks, they owned the shop.

They chose the name “Saffron & Grey” for their favorite colors, and they wanted something symbolic to demonstrate their business partnership as sisters but “didn’t want the shop to sound like a law firm.”

Nearly five years later, they’ve built a successful company. Saffron & Grey is a full-service floral shop offering delivery and flowers for events small and large, from dinner parties to weddings. Their shop features indoor and seasonal outdoor plants as well as gift items such as toys, homemade soaps, and candles. They also hold classes on topics such as “Wedding Floral 101” or constructing wreaths, terrariums, and other seasonal arrangements.

Layla and Abby serve as the lead creative designers and employ a design team of 6-9 people. “They’re like our sous chefs,” says Abby.

The sisters are always looking to improve their services, to offer some- thing fresh and new. They’ve recently started doing decorative rentals for weddings. And they’re offering a weekly $10 wrap bouquet, a popular item that typically sells out.

Cultivating a Natural Aesthetic

The Olson sisters grew up in the tiny Iron Range town of Cook, surrounded by Lake Vermilion and the woods. Their childhood was influenced by outdoor activities like camping and gardening. Their parents were amateur naturalists who often took them on lengthy excursions just to see plants blooming.

“Our parents always knew where plants like lady slippers would be blooming. They made sure we took the time to enjoy seasonal things,” says Layla.

Such exposure helped Layla and Abby develop an appreciation of the natural world that’s evident in their floral design. “We like to let flowers be flowers. We don’t use dyed flowers,” explains Abby.

Saffron & Grey gets flowers from all over the world, with a focus on Holland & Southern Minnesota. They strive to use seasonal flowers when possible and make an effort to source locally when they can.

Saffron & Grey has a shop dog named Faline. Abby rescued her from Animal Allies in 2013, and the boxer mix easily became an integral part of the team. One neighbor visits regularly just to visit Faline and bring her treats. The sisters’ soft spot for animals doesn’t end there. Each Monday, if a customer brings an item to the shop from Animal Allies’ wish list, they get a free flower of their choice from the case.

Since what’s available by the season can vary quite a bit, Saffron & Grey’s creations are always unique. Layla says that keeps the work interesting.

The sisters are passionate about design and fashion. They’ve attended training at a floral design school in

Holland, and they strive to keep up with the latest trends.

“We are completely independent, completely in charge of the design style,” says Layla. When designing an arrangement, they take into consideration factors like a customer’s favorite color and personality.

“We do custom rather than cookie cutter arrangements,” Abby says. “We

Abby, love our jobs and that comes through because we put our all into every arrangement.” D