We recently connected with Glenna Mangler and have shared our conversation below.

Glenna , appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I am fortunate to earn a full-time living from my creative work. However, this wasn’t always the case, it took me 3 years of working a full-time job and running my business before relying solely on my creative work. It was a very stressful few years, with many long nights. I was intentional with how and when I made the leap. I wanted to ensure my business was financially stable and had the structure it needed to grow. In 2022 I realized the only way to grow my business truly was to go all in. During the spring before my wedding season, I quit my government career and gave it everything I had. With my husband’s support and encouragement, I took a chance on myself and never looked back. It hasn’t been easy and can be incredibly hard at times, but I’ve been able to have my dream business and create a life that works for our family. The freedom to design the life we want has been priceless. Looking back the only things I would change are starting earlier and charging my worth from the beginning. Once I started to value my time and creativity, my business truly became successful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Glenna Joy Mangler owner of Glenna Joy Flowers a wedding and event floral design company in CA, ID, and WA that specializes in organic garden-styled floral design. I started my flower journey in high school working for a family friend. Later in college, one of my friend’s roommates bought his girlfriend flowers — just a set of raw stems and blooms he had no idea how to assemble. Having worked in a small flower shop in high school, I stepped in to help him arrange a bouquet. This story convinced a local flower shop owner to hire me. She taught me everything in those early years and since then I have spent years working with high-end floral businesses. In 2018, I started my own floral business after doing flowers for a friend’s wedding. It was something that had always been in the back of my mind. Something I dreamed of doing. I spent the next 3 years building my business to the level where I felt I could quit my government job and go full-time with Glenna Joy Flowers.

What sets me apart from others is my dedication to creating a unique floral experience for every wedding. While working with a client, I want to make sure every aspect of their dream wedding is realized. I spend a lot of time tracking down the highest-quality products. I work tirelessly to provide the highest quality materials including flowers, greenery, vessels, and installation equipment. When on-site, I focus on every detail, ensuring that all of my work is of the highest standards. A few years into my business I started growing a small collection of my own blooms so that I could truly give my clients the best locally grown product. What we can’t grow, I source from other local flower growers and import specialty products. With a background in design, I’m able to create a one-of-a-kind event while showcasing the couple’s personality and story through our floral design.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the lasting relationships with our clients and their planners. Communication is essential in relationships, and my process is focused on transparency and trust. As a result, I truly believe our clients feel like they are in good hands every step of the way. Wedding planning can be one of the most stressful times and I want the flower design part to be the most exciting and easy part of that process.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing the look on the faces of my couples when they see the final product on their special day. Knowing that I was able to create a unique experience for them means everything to me. The ability to add in flowers specially grown from our garden really sets Glenna Joy Flowers apart. It’s one of the greatest feelings to create something for someone – to grow, style and deliver an organic piece that brings joy to our clients on one of the biggest days of their lives.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The resources that have significantly impacted me would be networking, hiring a business coach, and having a great accountant.Through networking as much as possible, I have been able to meet a lot of great people in the industry and soak up all the knowledge from them I can. Working on my productivity and time management has become one of the greatest skills I’ve gained since becoming a business owner. I’ve been working with Simplify With Amanda B for years now, our sessions keep me on track and always push me to grow my business. Working with her has taught me to be intentional with my time, and how to efficiently accomplish my goals. With her guidance, I have a life I’ve designed with intention. My advice to any new business owner is get a mentor or a coach right away. Entrepreneurship can be lonely and scary and having someone in your corner to help you grow is essential.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://glennajoyflowers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennajoyflowers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennajoyflowers/

Image Credits

1st pic and all garden photos by Danielle Honea Photography. Other photos by Katya Higgins Photography