Why I Became a Florist: From Farm Fields to Floral Designer

Why I Became a Florist: From Farm Fields to Floral Designer

If you’d told me years ago that I’d end up as a florist, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But looking back, it all makes sense now. My love for nature started early, growing up on our family farm in rural Northamptonshire. We did a bit of everything – arable crops, livestock, and the PYO strawberry patch that our family ran for over 40 years. I was always outside, helping out, and soaking up the beauty of the fields around me. Those early days rooted me in the rhythms of the seasons and the magic that happens when things grow naturally.

But it’s not like I went from farm kid to florist overnight. After finishing school, I ended up studying English and Drama in university, drawn to creativity and expression. When I graduated, I had no clue what to do, so I took a job in recruitment. Now, there were parts of it I loved (mainly the friends I made and, honestly, the after-work gatherings!). But most days, I felt like I was on a long-haul flight to nowhere, cooped up in an office and totally disconnected from nature.

So, I started experimenting. I threw myself into creative hobbies – jam and chutney making, baking, cooking – anything to reconnect with making things by hand. But I kept coming back to floristry. At 30, I took a beginners’ evening class, and I was instantly hooked. It was the first time I’d found something that blended creativity with my love for nature. But with little kids and a busy life, it wasn’t quite the right time to go all in. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that floristry was my calling.

Finally, at 34, I decided to take things further. I signed up for a Level 2 qualification in floristry, and this was where everything started to click. I’d show up each week with bags of foraged branches and foliage, totally captivated by texture, color, and all the little quirks of nature. I loved it. But even then, I wasn’t ready to dive into a business. I was helping friends, raising my kids, and holding onto the idea in the background.

Then, Covid happened. Like for so many, it forced me to reassess what I really wanted out of life. I knew I couldn’t put this off anymore. I signed up for the Tallulah Rose Flower School, committed to giving it my all. This was the turning point – it gave me the skills, confidence, and drive to start my own business and finally make floristry my path.

Now, my days are filled with the hustle and excitement of creating. You’ll find me up on ladders, figuring out installations, and finding inspiration in the wild shapes and colors of each season. Every project is a new chance to connect with nature and bring my clients’ visions to life. I have a great team behind me, as some work can simply not be done alone.

It’s been a winding journey, and it took me years to find my place. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything I did in my life before has got me here, all those years in sales and service has me super focused on ensuring my clients not only have the best, awe inspiring floral designs but also have the service they deserve when planning the most important day of their life. Floristry feels like coming home. 🌿

Thanks for being part of this journey with me, and here’s to celebrating the beauty of nature in every little moment.

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Jemma x

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