NBC interviews Her Excellency, Nathalie Cely Ambassador of Ecuador to discuss Keep Trade Going / ATPDEA

Why Prices for Roses, Vegetables, and Fish Could Go Up

Ecuador's ambassador is in Chicago to promote trade with her country. If the U.S. lets the trade agreement expire, we could pay more for everyday items.

Chicago-Based Innovative Floral Company is Transforming the Luxury Hospitality Floral Market

Venture-backed start-up Luxe Bloom, LLC™ saves luxury hospitality operators time and money with natural long-lasting rose arrangements made from the world's highest quality Ecuadorian roses and last up to 60 days.

Chicago based start-up, Luxe Bloom™ provides luxury hospitality operators in US hotels, fine dining restaurants and high end spas with exquisite natural, long-lasting rose arrangements on a monthly recurring basis. Luxe Bloom's luxury rose arrangements come direct to the customer's door in more than 20 colors and designs for a variety of hospitality settings. Bespoke colors and designs are also available.

With her background as a brand marketing executive for Fortune 50 companies, launching Luxe Bloom was a natural venture for Founder, Shelley Rosen . "The company was established to solve problems for luxury hospitality operators with a lens on innovation and creativity," said Rosen. "Our floral arrangements last several weeks and do not require water or refrigeration to keep their natural beauty, saving time and money while improving operating costs. Our clients consistently tell us our flower arrangements make it easy and more predictable to run all aspects of their business."

Angela Portella, Spa Director of Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf Astoria of New York commented, "Because the cost and longevity of their rose arrangements are more predictable than fresh floral, we have stabilized our floral costs with Luxe Bloom. The long lasting nature and ease of care has afforded our staff even more time to serve our important guests."

The roses are grown under Flor Ecuador® regulatory governmental agency monitoring environmental standards of Ecuadorian floral firms. Rosen stated, "It's the proximity to the equator that enables Ecuador's farmers to produce the finest flowers in the world. That is why we are closely working with the Trade Office of Ecuador in Chicago to support Keep Trade Going efforts between the U.S. and Ecuador."

"The mission of Chicago's Trade Office of Ecuador, established in 2011, is to promote Ecuador's export offer and to attract investors. One of our star products is the unparalleled Ecuadorian rose. Luxe Bloom and her President, Shelley Rosen, are great collaborators with this Trade Office," said Mr. Borys Mejia, Trade Commissioner of Ecuador in Chicago.

Given the natural aspect of the rose product and operation, a multi-tier supply chain is critical to Luxe Bloom. In addition to selling luxury flower arrangements, Luxe Bloom is the exclusive distributor of San Andres Farms long-lasting roses known as the Kiara Collection. Maria Clara Correa, CEO of San Andres Farms stated, "We are delighted to welcome Luxe Bloom into our clientele. Kiara Collection Preserved Roses and Luxe Bloom have been working together to create high-end products that meet the needs of luxury business operators. Together we are not only selling roses, but we are solving hospitality operators' problems with the long lasting nature of our rose innovation."

Investors believe in the Luxe Bloom concept and are showing their support with early stage capital. "We are pleased to have a Private Hedge Fund manager in New York and a Real Estate developer from Ann Arbor, Michigan who believe in our vision as investors," said Rosen.

Chicago investor, William Conway, of Raputs, LLC. said, "As an angel investor, I look for innovation in an early stage start-up with a leader who can execute and sell the dream. We have found this in Luxe Bloom under the direction of Shelley Rosen."

"Luxe Bloom arrangements are in hotels, spas, country clubs and restaurants in Chicago, New York, Miami, Marina Delray and now Paris," said Rosen. "With the positive feedback we are getting from luxury operators, we know we are meeting an unmet need in the commercial floral market, and we are just getting started."

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Based in Chicago, Illinois Luxe Bloom, LLC. founded in 2103 by former Fortune 50 executive, Shelley Rosen, offers natural, long-lasting rose arrangements to luxury business operators on a monthly recurring basis. Luxe Bloom roses are 100% ethically sourced from Ecuador. Due to the long-lasting innovative nature of Luxe Bloom rose arrangements, which require no water and no refrigeration, operators can save money monthly on luxury floral. Luxe Bloom was named a Finalist for the Best Innovative Products Editor's Choice Awards at the 2012 International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show. Luxe Bloom will be exhibiting at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, May 19-21 in Booth #9271. Visit us at: www.luxebloom.com .