Her Story
About Marci
Marci Rasmussen is a respected entrepreneur, floral designer, and community leader who has dedicated nearly four decades to serving Salt Lake City through her family-owned business, Especially For You "Your Downtown Florist." Since founding the company in 1987, she has grown it into one of the city's premier full-service floral boutiques, known for its custom-designed arrangements, exceptional customer service, and commitment to quality. Throughout her career, Marci has expanded her business by acquiring several well-established floral shops, including Huddart Floral, Neff Floral, Blooms, and Park Floral, while also launching the successful vintage boutique Retro Rose. Her entrepreneurial vision has allowed her to preserve local floral traditions while continually evolving to meet the needs of her community. Beyond her success as a business owner, Marci has built her reputation on cultivating meaningful relationships with customers, employees, and fellow business leaders. She believes every floral arrangement should reflect the unique story of the recipient, emphasizing personalized service rather than mass-produced designs. As a mentor, she is passionate about developing her team, fostering a workplace culture centered on craftsmanship, integrity, and genuine care. Her leadership extends into the broader business community through active involvement with organizations such as the Downtown Alliance, Downtown Merchant Association, Salt Lake City Convention Bureau, and Local First Utah. She has also served as president of the Teleflora Utah-Idaho Association and spent 14 years as the official florist for the Utah Jazz, demonstrating her influence within the floral industry. Marci's commitment to Salt Lake City reaches far beyond her business. She has devoted countless hours to supporting charitable organizations and community initiatives, volunteering with Volunteers of America, Odyssey House, Special Olympics, the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, and Salt Lake Repertory Dance Theatre. Her dedication to both business excellence and community service has earned her multiple honors, including recognition as Best Florist by Best of SLC and City Weekly. Through decades of entrepreneurial leadership, artistic creativity, and unwavering commitment to her hometown, Marci Rasmussen has become a trusted business owner whose legacy is defined by exceptional service, strong community partnerships, and a genuine passion for helping others celebrate life's most meaningful moments with flowers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marci
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to nearly 40 years of dedication, resilience, and a commitment to building lasting relationships with my customers. Since starting my floral business in 1987, I have remained focused on providing quality products, exceptional service, and giving back to my community. Through industry changes, personal challenges, and over 25 years of sobriety, I have learned that consistency, perseverance, and compassion are the keys to long-term success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that you can build a successful career while working closely with your family and staying true to what you love. No matter what challenges life brings, it's possible to achieve success and happiness by pursuing your passion with dedication and perseverance.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to believe that you can build a successful career without sacrificing what matters most to you. Don't be afraid to involve your family, give back to your community, and pursue work that brings you purpose. Running a business comes with challenges, but resilience, hard work, and a genuine passion for serving others will help you create a meaningful legacy for future generations.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is balancing the demands of running a small business while ensuring my employees are fairly compensated and my customers continue to receive exceptional service. At the same time, these challenges create opportunities to build loyalty, strengthen relationships, and stand out by providing a personal touch that larger competitors often cannot match.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are hard work, family, and inspiring others through the way I live and serve. As part of a family business, I value building lasting relationships and treat my customers like family. I also believe in providing exceptional quality and service while creating a positive impact on the people and community I serve.
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