Rising Stars: Meet Karly Elbrecht

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karly Elbrecht. 

Hi Karly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Camino & Company is a Mobile Flower Shop brought to you by local flower farmers and providers, small business partners, and the founder’s grandpa’s 1984 El Camino. 

MEET THE OWNER 

Hi! I’m Karly, the owner, and founder of Camino & Company. While I absolutely love being a small business owner, being a mother to my 3-year-old flower shop assistant, Easton Duke, is my favorite job in the world. I’m an Arcadia + Cicero, Indiana native and grew up right next door to my grandparents. This business all started with a dream born out of my love for flowers and my Pappy’s vintage El Camino. Small business runs in my blood. My father has owned a sign business in Arcadia, Indiana, since before I was born, and I’ve learned so much from him when it comes to small business and life in general. One thing he’s told me since I was little, and that’s stuck with me for decades now, is that “life is what you make it, Karly.” 

And then there’s my mom; she’s another supporter I wish for every little girl to have in their life. She’s shown me what chasing dreams as a mom + as a businesswoman looks like, and always showed me they can go hand in hand. She’ll be joining me in the storefront + studio expansion of Camino & Co and I couldn’t be more thankful to grow this business alongside one of my biggest role models in life, my mom. 

I graduated with a degree in Management & Communications from Indiana University and worked in corporate for eight years in the Sales Enablement and start-up world. But, my creative, “can’t stop thinking about this dream” backbone is what spurred me on towards pursuing my true passion – small business, family business, and the local community. It’s not just flowers, and the Camino isn’t just a car. Knowing how much this El Camino has meant to my grandpa (Pappy, the original owner) for as long as I can remember, and seeing him jump right into this dream with me from the very beginning, is something I think about every single day. That’s the type of love and support I hope to live out in my life, too. 

COMING SOON! 

Opening Summer 2023: The Camino & Company Storefront + Studio, Downtown Noblesville, Indiana. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Balancing my full-time job in the midst of starting Camino & Company and (thankfully) growing and growing was definitely the most challenging part of year one. Balancing both was so challenging. Especially when my heart and passion were in Camino & Company, but I was needing to stay in my corporate job for the season of life I was in. I am so thankful that as of this past Monday (5/15), I am now able to take Camino & Company full-time. Which is such a dream come true. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are a local mobile flower shop that brings the freshest blooms to your private events, showers, parties, and more. We support our local community by sourcing the most beautiful petals and florals from local farms. 

At Camino & Company, we are dedicated to supporting our local community in every way we can. That’s why we partner with local flower farmers who share our commitment to quality to bring you the freshest and most beautiful blooms and buds available. 

Our partnership with these farmers not only ensures that we are able to deliver the highest quality flowers to our customers but also helps to support the local economy and promote sustainable farming practices. 

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I absolutely LOVE podcasts and listen to them daily. They have played a big part in keeping me motivated, encouraged, and learning + growing (both professionally + personally) all throughout my small business journey so far. 

Podcasts: 

WHOA That’s Good Podcast 

The Goal Digger 

SHE with Jordan Lee Dooley 

Daily Motivations 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.camino-and-company.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caminoandcompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086519702311
• Other: https://mainvest.com/in/camino-company

Image Credits
Haley King Photography
Golden Cardinal Media
Colleen Woodruff Photography