We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Roberts a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Success on a flower farm doesn’t happen overnight — it takes hard work, dedication, and a mindset rooted in both patience and passion. Growing flowers is equal parts heart and hustle. You have to be willing to show up every day, even when the weather is unpredictable, the weeds are relentless, or the blooms take their time.

But it’s also about believing in the beauty of what you’re creating — not just the flowers themselves, but the joy they bring to others. A successful flower farm is built on consistent care, smart planning, and a deep love for growing something from the ground up. With the right mindset, challenges become lessons, and every bloom feels like a reward for the effort you’ve put in.

At the end of the day, it’s that combination of resilience, vision, and the simple joy of watching something beautiful grow that leads to success.

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.

BloomRidge is a specialty flower farm located in Carbondale, Illinois, offering fresh, seasonal blooms by the bucket for brides, florists, and flower lovers alike. Open during the summer season, the farm invites guests to enjoy a you-pick flower experience — a chance to stroll the fields and gather blooms straight from the source.

At BloomRidge, we strive to bring fresh, locally grown flowers into the homes of our clients. Because our blooms are harvested right from the farm, they last longer, look fresher, and carry the charm that only local flowers can offer. Each stem is grown with care, making every bouquet personal and meaningful.

We also take our blooms on the road with our vintage 1953 Flower Truck, complete with a build-your-own Bouquet Bar. You can find us every Saturday at the Carbondale Farmers Market, where we love connecting with the community and sharing the joy of farm-fresh flowers.

Just a short drive away in Alto Pass, you’ll find The Venue by BloomRidgeFarm — a scenic wedding and event destination featuring sweeping views, a one-of-a-kind outdoor chapel surrounded by fragrant lavender, and a peaceful setting that feels like a true escape.

Whether you’re planning a wedding or picking flowers in the sunshine, BloomRidge is where nature, love, and unforgettable memories come together.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

At BloomRidgeFarm, we take great pride in every stem we sell. Each flower is grown right here on our farm, with most beginning their journey as seeds carefully planted in soil blocks. These young plants are nurtured under grow lights or in our high tunnels, where they thrive until they are strong enough to be transferred to the fields.

We believe in growing with intention, ensuring that every bloom is treated with the utmost care. From seed to stem, our flowers are cultivated in the rich, local soil of Carbondale, Illinois, and we are committed to offering only the freshest, most vibrant blooms.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

The journey to creating The Venue by BloomRidgeFarm began unexpectedly, with a simple drive one day. As I was out exploring, I came across a piece of land that immediately struck me — I could see it in my mind’s eye, a beautiful space perfect for hosting weddings. It was one of those moments when inspiration hits and everything falls into place.

I shared the idea with my husband, and though it seemed like a big leap, we both knew it was something special. With a shared vision and a lot of hard work, we set out to turn that dream into reality. A year later, we were standing inside the venue that we had built with our own hands — a space where couples could create lasting memories surrounded by nature, love, and beauty.

What began as an idea while driving down the road turned into a breathtaking reality, and we couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve created. From that first spark of inspiration to the weddings that now take place here, The Venue by BloomRidgeFarm is a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and working together to build something beautiful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.BloomRidgeFarm.com
• Instagram: Bloomridgefarm and thevenue_bybloomridgefarm
• Facebook: Bloomridgefarm-pick flowers, and the venue by bloom ridge farm

Image Credits

Amanda Roberts