itsbyu.com launches: Sister-run startup is first to tap into DIY flower arranging kit market

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Feb 10, 2015, 07:47 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- itsbyu.com, the first online do-it-yourself (DIY) flower arranging kit company, launched this week in the US. The company's goal: to make flower arranging so simple that anyone can do it - at a fraction of retail prices.

Created by florist Christine Strzalka and her sister, Caroline Strzalka, itsbyu delivers the fresh flowers, tools, and online streaming video lessons you need to make professional-looking bouquets, centerpieces, and more, right to your door. "With itsbyu, you become your own florist," says Co-Founder, Caroline Strzalka. "By doing flowers yourself, you save money – as much as 40% over traditional florists – and you learn new skills in the process."

itsbyu also boasts a monthly wildflower bouquet delivery service called Petalpicks, as well as DIY perfume kits. itsbyu kits feature flowers sourced from environmentally friendly and fair trade farms, and most kit contents are made from recycled or recycle-able materials. The Strzalka sisters also believe in giving back - a portion of all itsbyu's sales support the charitable "itsbyu cares" program.

itsbyu is among the first of the online floral companies to tap into the growing DIY wedding and home decor markets. A January 2015 survey from bridal industry market research firm, The Wedding Report, indicates that 25% of all engaged couples plan to have a DIY wedding this year. With an average of 2.1 million weddings in the US per year, DIY is a significant share of that market. Meanwhile, a 2012 report from market research group, Mintel International, estimates that in 2016 the US home decor industry will be worth about $38.6B, with an increasing amount of people attempting DIY projects to affordably decorate their homes.

Despite the enthusiasm for DIY projects, people often don't have easy, economical access to materials or instructions, so they improvise, and end up with DIY fails. The Strzalkas say they founded itsbyu to avoid those fails. "We streamlined the flower making process so everyone can be proud of what they create," says Co-Founder Christine Strzalka. "You'll be amazed at what you can do with itsbyu."