We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lexi Nardini. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lexi below.

Lexi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

The thoughts of imposter sydnrome, and stress of owning a business are things that im sure all young business owners have had to deal with! I do sometimes wonder what it would be like to be able to clock in, and clock out to a job! Owning a business does not have regular hours, I find myself thinking florals 24/7, making look-books for clients at all hours, and the occasional nightmare about an arbor falling over on a bride! Haha. I go to the studio all day, film my day, then come howm and edit a video about my day! When all of your success soley relies on your hard work, there is a lot of pressure. But, I absolutley wouldn’t change any of it for the world! The stress of it all just means that you care, and I truly care about my work and the growth of my business.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I went to college at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), I attended the Hospitality school in hopes to become an event planner after college! I took a floral design class as a fun creative elective, but fell in love with it. I have always had creative jobs growing up, and this felt like the perfect fit between business/event planning, and something more creative combined. I still got my degree in event planning, with a minor in plant science, a minor in business, and a certificate in floral design! Right after college, I started my career as a florist doing corporate event designs for my families corporate events company. I was doing florals for large scale galas, corporate parties, etc. This was a great introduction into the floral and design world, I learned SO much, and was an amazing way for me to get my footing in the industry! However, I quickly realized it wasn’t necessarily my passion! I loved the event floral design element, but I was missing something. I realized my true passion was in wedding florals. I just needed a way to break-through into the wedding industry!

So, I started creating content on social media, filming my “day in my life as a florist” videos on both instagram and TikTok. These videos included hauling flowers to my studio, designing event flowers, and so so much more, every day being unique! I shared my struggles and love for floral design with my audience. After a while, the videos started to gain traction, and I began gaining followers, but more importantly- inquiries! After about a year of posting online, I was fully booked for weddings the following year. I thanked my family for everything they have done for me in getting me started in my floral design business, and branched off from the family business. I rebranded to my current studio named Love, Lilacs Floral Design, and I now focus on wedding florals, with the occasional corporate client here and there. Social media has become a large part of my business, from brides asking me to film a video of the creation of the bridal bouquet, to brand deals earning myself a side income to help support me! I absolutely love what I do, both online and my day to day job!

Tiktok: @lex.n.lilacs
Instagram: @lexi.lexi.lexi

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Social media began as a side hustle for me, just for fun posting about my day to day to share with others! After growing my accounts, it has become a key part of my business in both reaching new clients/marketing and earning new business for my main job, floral design, but also earning an income from social media as well. My business would not be where it is today without my social media!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My pivot from corporate florals to event florals is a great example of needing a change in both personal and business life. I felt unfulfilled in the job. I believe this is because I was searching for personal/human connection, or doing something that connected me to others. What I mean is that corporate clients didn’t seem to care too much about the florals they were receiving for their event. Often times, I was given a color pallette, budget, and amount needed and I would design just that. The florals didn’t always make a large impact on the client or guest, just something overlooked in the center of the table. Don’t get me wrong, I believe florals at ANY event are imporant! But not everyone does and that is OKAY! However, I was seeking something more personal. I wanted to meet with brides, discuss their dream wedding designs, and create just what they wanted, and see their reaction on wedding day! I have made connections with so many more people this way, and I feel like what I am designing matters to them. I am creating an atmosphere for the most special day of their lives!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lovelilacsfloral.com
• Instagram: adding my personal/’influnencer’ page, and my business page https://www.instagram.com/lovelilacs.kc/ https://www.instagram.com/lexi.lexi.lexi/
• Other: titkok:

  https://www.tiktok.com/@lex.n.lilacs?lang=en

Image Credits

Natalie Nichole Photos (Head-shot)