Today we’d like to introduce you to Elle Conwell.
Elle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My obsession with flowers began at a young age. Every birthday my dad would send me roses and throughout childhood my mom would leave me notes from “garden fairies” named Azalea, Tulip, and Daisy. I have always loved design and working with my hands. I’ve found old photos of me as a child making leis out of plumerias and picking wildflowers.
I began my career in the fashion industry. Those years of visual merchandising and customer service developed my eye for color and enjoyment of collaborating with others. I learned how to recognize peoples’ wants and interpret their visions, bringing ideas to life. To this day I enjoy working with clients to determine what their style and ideal florals are.
While living in North Carolina, I stumbled across a flower shop and began my career as a florist. What started as a fun, part-time job evolved into my career. I was immediately drawn to the limitless options of arrangements. Flowers are beautiful on their own, but when designed together you get to play with texture, color, and more. It’s a designer’s dream come true. The number of things you can do with flowers is limitless.
After returning to San Diego, I worked at a local flower shop that allowed me to continue to develop my skills and better my knowledge of the wedding and event industry. While working, my love for wedding and events florals grew. A close friend asked me to arrange her wedding flowers which solidified my desire to create my own company.
I launched Radiant Blooms in 2022, staring with a colorful, vibrant wedding in liberty station. I’ll celebrate three years this February and still pinch myself that I am designing flowers as my job. I am a full service “celebration” florist, catering to weddings and events. Throughout my time as a wedding and event florist I have specialized in tropical flowers. My style is not limited to tropical blooms, but they are a personal favorite and I use them in almost all of my arrangements.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As with all businesses, I’ve gone through challenges and obstacles. My first obstacle was having the confidence in myself to begin my business. Thankfully, my friends and family encouraged me to launch Radiant Blooms. They have continually helped me with setting up flowers, loaning their SUVs to transport arrangements, offering business advice, and more. I don’t give them enough credit for all of the thorns they’ve trimmed off roses and heavy vases they’ve carried across venues.
The second challenge has been “staying in my lane” and not comparing myself to other florists. I am surrounded by talented, florists in San Diego and I am learning to look up to them rather than compare myself. I focus on designing the best arrangements I can while celebrating the successes of those around me. What’s amazing about our community of florists in San Diego, is that we are supportive of each other and uplift one another. I’ve had the privilege of freelancing for many fellow florists and have a network of florist friends who I can lean on for help and advice.
Another challenge is that I am constantly learning new things. This is a challenge that I welcome, because I love learning new things and evolving my creativity.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I selected the name Radiant Blooms for my business because it reflects my style of work. My floral arrangements are fun, colorful, and vibrant. Flowers elicit joy, and I strive for my flowers to make clients smile. I specialize in tropical flowers. They are my personal favorite because of their unique colors and shapes. My favorite weddings and events have been those with unique color palettes. I find that people often want to play it safe with neutral or white flowers, yet when they select a color palette that they enjoy, their event flowers are set apart and make a statement.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Please visit my website: www.radiantbloomsfloral.com or follow me on instagram: radiant.blooms
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radiantbloomsfloral.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiant.blooms/
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