Jennifer Ortiz is the owner and founder of Creations by Jenn, reconstructed her business in 2019 and is an alumni of LAEDA’s Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (Session 102, Spring). She started Creations by Jenn as a floral design and wedding officiant studio in Camden, NJ. With over 30 years of floral design experience and a decade as an ordained minister, Jennifer doesn’t just sell flowers—she helps people honor life’s most meaningful moments with authenticity and beauty. Whether it’s a wedding, a memorial, a workshop, or simply brightening an ordinary Tuesday, she creates from the heart. We had a chance to sit down with her to ask about her experience with entrepreneurship and LAEDA’s training programs.
1) LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different possible directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
“Honestly, entrepreneurship chose me before I even realized it. I’ve always had a creative soul and a deep love for bringing people joy, and I knew I was meant to build something that reflected that. After years of working for others, I realized my vision, my ideas, and my work ethic were bigger than any job description. I wanted the freedom to design a life that let me be a mother, a wife, and a business owner — all while creating beauty that makes people feel something.
I also come from a long line of official and unofficial entrepreneurs — from family members who built small businesses from scratch to those who always found a way to turn their skills into opportunity. That spirit of resilience, independence, and hustle runs deep in my blood. Entrepreneurship isn’t just something I do — it’s part of who I am.”
2) LAEDA: Why did you choose your industry?
“Here’s the truth: flowers were never part of the plan — they were a total accident. When I applied to a local vocational high school, I had to choose three shop options. My first choice was Business Technology because I’ve always loved the idea of conducting business and presenting myself professionally. My second choice was Culinary Arts because I come from a family that knows good food, and I’ve always loved cooking. And my third? Well, that was Floriculture — honestly, just a filler choice because I needed a third option.
But life has a funny way of putting you exactly where you’re meant to be. The minute I started working with flowers, I fell in love with the art, the creativity, and the impact they have on people. What started as a “backup plan” turned into a lifelong passion. Flowers became more than just a trade — they became my language, my therapy, and my way of helping people celebrate, heal, and connect.
In 2015, I became ordained just to marry my friends. I fell in love with officiating and naturally added it to my list of services.”
3) LAEDA: Tell me about your experience while attending EDTP. What have the major takeaways been from the program? Have you had any “Ah-ha!” moments? How did the program help you?
“EDTP was the game-changer I didn’t know I needed. I came in with passion and talent, but the program gave me structure, clarity, and the tools to turn those ideas into a real, scalable business. One of my biggest “ah-ha!” moments was understanding that entrepreneurship isn’t about doing everything yourself — it’s about building systems and learning to work on your business, not just in it. The mentorship, accountability, and support from LAEDA helped me think bigger and believe that my dreams were absolutely possible.”
4) LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, failures, etc.?
“The journey’s been anything but easy — but it’s been worth every messy, magical step. I started with limited resources, no roadmap, and a ton of self-doubt. There were late nights, financial scares, and moments when I questioned if I was truly cut out for this. But every challenge taught me something: how to pivot, how to persevere, and how to grow.
My greatest successes have been seeing my work move people to tears (the good kind!), officiating weddings where I also designed the flowers, and building a loyal client base that trusts me with their most meaningful moments. Every failure, I’ve learned, was really just a lesson in disguise.”
5) LAEDA: Could you tell me a little about where your business is today?
“Today, my business is thriving and expanding. We’re not just designing floral arrangements — we’re creating experiences, offering floral subscriptions, hosting workshops, and officiating weddings that tell love stories in two languages. My studio is growing, and I’m building a team to support the next chapter. It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come and even more exciting to know that this is just the beginning.”
6) LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?
“Yes — start before you’re ready. You’ll never have all the answers, and the perfect time doesn’t exist. Be prepared to work hard, make mistakes, and learn on the fly. Build a strong support system, invest in your education, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most importantly, remember why you started — that purpose will fuel you on the tough days. Entrepreneurship isn’t a straight road; it’s a rollercoaster. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.”
More About Jennifer Ortiz:
Creations by Jenn is more than a floral design studio — it’s the heart and soul of a lifelong creative journey. Founded by Camden native Jenn Ortiz, Creations by Jenn blends artistry, storytelling, and intention to create unforgettable moments through flowers and ceremony.
Jenn has been a florist for 31 years and a wedding officiant for the past 10, combining both talents to help people celebrate life’s most meaningful milestones — from weddings and baby showers to memorials and community events. She began as a home-based florist, working out of her kitchen for over 12 years, and in the last six years has grown her dream into a full-service floral and event studio serving Camden and beyond.
A proud wife to her high school sweetheart, Omy, and mother of three — Jai, Francheska, and William — Jenn is also a doting grandmother to Ayden and Jai’Omy and dog-mom to little Milo. Her work is deeply inspired by her family, her community, and her belief that beauty and love deserve to be celebrated in every chapter of life.
Whether designing custom floral creations, officiating heartfelt ceremonies, or hosting engaging floral workshops, Creations by Jenn is dedicated to turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories — always with heart, creativity, and authenticity at the center
Creations by Jenn can be reached at:
Phone: 8567802022
Email: info@thecreationsbyjenn.com
Website: www.thecreationsbyjenn.com
IG:@creationsbyjenn29
FB:creationsbyjenn8485
About the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP):
The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Spring and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and continued technical assistance. For more Information visit us at laeda.com or refer an entrepreneur using this form.