Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Zamora

Natalia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I was a bartender before I started working with flowers in 2019 right before the pandemic hit, I was pretty tired of bartending and wanted to do something more creative where I could build things with my hands. Started working at different flower shops in the city, got the opportunity to work making from small to x-large floral installations, real and “silk” I definitely enjoy much more working with real flowers, I quickly learned a lot and decided to start my own company. Petalheads NYC, we focus in private weekly accounts for bars, restaurants, residential as well as events, weddings, set design and anything floral/plant related. I still freelance for some other designers every now and then and truly enjoy to see how different everyones style and work flow is, I think it had allowed me to shape better the floral designer/sculptor I want to be. I have also learned a lot about having and running your own business, everyday is a learning experience and I enjoy the constant growing and learning.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Definitely leaving a bartending job with constant cash income to go work at a flower shop as an unexperienced florist, where the pay was below minimum wage. The financial difference was a shock but quickly escalated to a better rate, anyone can change their path! the change might not be smooth, or seems scary but, highly recommended, change your career as many times as you want! learn it all, be happy with what you do and where you are in life! If you don’t change the things that you do you wont get different results, so just do it! life is already a struggle, challenge these energies and use them as the force to guide you into the next path.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I like to consider myself a Floral Sculptor, a specialize in large floral arrangements/installations and it definitely cant be rushed, it requires a lot of patience and trial an error when positioning something, I also try to stay away from oasis foam/green foam, which at times can make it more challenging (some might say) to built a floral arrangement, but I enjoy putting the pieces together and basically making them all work and support each other. it truly is like making a sculpture or painting i think. I love floral install/sculptures that have lots of texture, i am always looking for great texture first then colors, I also enjoy much more the juxtaposition of colors as supposed to the same family/scheme of colors. Contrast is good!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

I worked with all sorts of floral designers, from real to fake, small to large, traditional to modern/contemporary, maximalist to minimalist, old school to avant-garde. Sometimes even if is “not your style” is good to take these other jobs and experience working with many other people, you can learn things you want to implement on your “style” and avoid things that don’t feel like the align with your brand or who you are. Networking – go out there and tell everyone youre a floral designer, floral sculptor, florist, whatever sounds better for you, eventually someone will remember and think of you! be patient with yourself and the process, small business take a long time to take off! be patient and keep doing it, stay focus, stay creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://petalheadsnyc.com
• Instagram: @petalheads.nyc

Image Credits

@usetogiveadamnnutnvrgaveafuk