How I Became a Florist: A Story I Never Planned to Write

I never set out to become a florist. In fact, for 22 years, I worked in insurance. I started at 17, straight out of high school, hired on the spot at the front desk of an insurance agency. Within two years, I had my license and was a full-fledged agent by 19. I was good at it—driven, eager to learn, always reaching for the next level. I spent my 20s and 30s growing in that career.

Then life changed.

In 2019, just before the world shut down, I was still in insurance, now married and a mom of two. When the pandemic hit, I suddenly found myself at home—working remotely, making breakfast and lunch for my kids, helping with school. For the first time, I was truly with my children during the day. Before that, I dropped them off early, picked them up late, and we only had a sliver of time together at night. But being home changed me. I realized I didn’t want to miss any more of their childhood.

During that time, I also got pregnant with my third—and I knew she would be my last. That clarity made the decision feel even more urgent: I didn’t want to return to an office job. I wanted to be home, raising her myself.

So when the time came to return to work, I said no.

I walked away from a career I had spent over two decades building.

And then, quietly, I fell apart.

I sank into postpartum depression. I had never experienced anything like it. I didn’t know how to cope, and suddenly the stability I thought I had unraveled. I went from being productive and driven to feeling stuck, lost, and numb.

But there was one thing I remembered loving: flowers.

I started playing with simple arrangements—just for myself at first. Then for friends. Then, my brother asked me to host a baby shower at my house. I said yes. I planned the whole thing, and I decided to try a floral installation for the first time. I threw myself into planning—walking the flower market, dreaming up the design. I remember walking into the market one morning and just crying. Not because I was overwhelmed—but because I felt joy. For the first time in a long time, I felt like myself again.

That moment changed everything.

After that baby shower, I kept going—making arrangements for friends and family, and eventually posting them to Instagram. I wasn’t trying to build a business; I was just following what felt good. But inquiries started coming in. Events landed on my calendar. I wasn’t making money at first—I didn’t care. I was healing.

Eventually, my husband said, “You need to start charging for this. You’re good at it.” He was right. I was putting in the time, the gas, the energy… and more importantly, I had found something that made me happy.

Still, I struggled to call myself a florist. I had spent so long being an insurance agent—how could I just change identities? Would anyone believe me? It took time. I started freelancing for other designers. I took online courses. I studied the craft. I pushed myself to learn everything I could because if I was going to do this, I was going to do it well.

That’s the thing about me—I don’t half-do anything. If I commit, I give it my all.

I started sourcing the best flowers, investing in high-quality tools, learning from the pros. I told myself: “I’m going to be the best florist I can be, with the knowledge and resources I have right now.” I’ve held on to that philosophy ever since.

And funny enough, all those years in insurance weren’t wasted. They gave me the foundation to build a business: sales, communication, customer service. I know how to talk to clients. I know how to listen. And most of all, I care deeply about the people I work with.

Flowers saved me. They helped me find myself again—not just as a mom or a wife, but as an artist, a woman, a creative, and a business owner.

So no, I never planned to be a florist.

But once I decided I was going to pursue this path, I poured everything into it—my heart, my time, my energy, and my soul. Year after year, season after season, I’ve grown. I’ve studied. I’ve experimented. I’ve learned something new with every wedding and event. And now, several years in, I’ve built a solid foundation.

Today, I’ve worked with dozens of clients who trust me deeply with some of the most meaningful moments of their lives. I’ve designed large-scale floral installations, handled events with over 300 guests, and created everything from delicate boutonnieres to intricate ceremony arches. I know how to plan, source, and execute every floral element with care and intention.

But even with all that experience behind me, I’m still learning—and I love that. That’s one of the things that excites me most about this journey. I never want to stop growing or challenging myself creatively. Every year, I add new skills, discover new flower varieties, meet new vendors, and refine my style even more. I’m not the same florist I was when I started, and that evolution lights me up.

If you had told me ten years ago that I’d be running my own floral design business, I would have laughed and said, “How?!” But here I am. And I truly believe I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

This is the path I want to keep walking. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited for what’s still ahead.

This is how I became a florist. It wasn’t part of the original plan—but it became my purpose.

With love,

Griselda

Mint+Peonies