When Dylan Rogers and his wife, Marley, started their flower farm, Opal’s Flowers, they had no idea it would lead them into creating their wedding rental business, Wooden Flower Event Rentals. What began as a passion for growing flowers quickly expanded into a full-fledged wedding rental service, and at the heart of this transformation was an innovative cooling solution: CoolBot.
The Journey From Flower Farming to Weddings
Marley had been running a flower farm for a while, cultivating beautiful blooms on their family property. Over time, they expanded their plots to nearly four acres, but as their farm grew, they faced a logistical challenge: keeping flowers fresh for large events.
Selling at farmers’ markets was rewarding but unpredictable. They soon realized that wedding floral arrangements provided a more stable and lucrative business model. However, fresh flowers require precise cooling conditions to maintain their quality between harvesting and arranging.
The Need for a Reliable Cooling Solution
With their transition into wedding rentals, Marley and Dylan needed a solution to store large quantities of flowers efficiently. Transporting blooms in a regular vehicle for weddings wasn’t feasible, and traditional cold storage options were either too expensive or impractical.
After hearing about CoolBot from other farmers, they knew it was the perfect solution. “I looked into CoolBot, and it was kind of a no-brainer,” Dylan explained.
To bring their vision to life, they transformed a basic trailer into a highly efficient, insulated storage unit. They started with a bare-bones trailer, reinforcing it with plywood and spray foam insulation to create a well-sealed interior. Cedar boards were added for durability, and the floor was reinforced with rigid foam and an extra plywood layer. A final touch of decorative linoleum and silicone sealing ensured easy cleaning and long-term usability.
The result was a compact yet effective 4×8 cooler that maximized storage while remaining portable and efficient. To make it even more versatile, they integrated a battery bank for power. “We wanted something silent and fume-free so we could take it to markets and wedding venues where generators aren’t allowed. The battery bank lets us run the cooler efficiently without noise or emissions.”
A Mobile Cooler Designed for Flexibility
The cooler wasn’t just for flowers—it became a multi-functional asset. In winter, they used it as a reverse cold cellar to store items that couldn’t freeze while preparing for the spring season. “We’re using the cooler to store items that can’t freeze in the colder months as we tee up for the spring season.”
Additionally, at their own wedding, they realized another unexpected benefit: their caterers used the cooler to store food and beverages, making event logistics seamless. This sparked an idea—why not rent out their cooler for weddings, breweries, and catering events?
Off-Grid Cooling Powered by a Battery Bank
Unlike most mobile cooler users who rely on generators, Dylan and Marley opted for a battery-powered system.
They wanted something silent and fume-free, leading them to choose a battery bank instead of a generator. “Actually, when you compare the cost of a generator, the two options are closer than you’d think.” Their system could run for up to two days on a full charge, with an option to extend runtime using a solar panel.
This eco-friendly, off-grid solution has given them a competitive edge in the wedding rental industry, making their cooler a versatile and in-demand piece of equipment.
Expanding the Business & Looking Ahead
Now, with the ability to store large floral harvests, Marley and Dylan are expanding their flower farm and wedding rental offerings. “She’s going to be expanding now that we’ve got the cooler unit. It used to be too much to harvest everything and store it. Now, they have the ability to store large volumes of product, so they’ll look to expand the farmable plots.”
They’re also renting out their mobile cooler to other florists, breweries, and event vendors who need reliable cold storage on the go. Next on their list? A custom tap wall for breweries that transforms the cooler into a mobile bar setup—further increasing its versatility.
Why CoolBot?
For Dylan and Marley, CoolBot was the ideal solution. “We found you all from other farmers that have used the CoolBot for cold storage,” Dylan shared. After researching its benefits, they found it to be an affordable, efficient, and adaptable way to meet their cooling needs. It has streamlined their floral storage process and enabled them to expand their services into new markets.
Final Thoughts
Dylan and Marley’s story is a testament to innovation, sustainability, and business adaptability. What started as a flower farm has evolved into a dynamic wedding rental service, all thanks to creative problem-solving and the power of CoolBot.
Interested in learning how CoolBot can help your business? Check out our customer stories and start building your own cold storage solution today!