Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Peyton Bowling. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Peyton, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Petals & Thorns Flower Studio, located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, didn’t come to life overnight. It began with three friends working side by side in a local flower shop, where we discovered not only a love for flowers but also a deep appreciation for the beauty and grace they bring into people’s lives. As our friendship blossomed, so did our passion for the floral arts and our dream of creating something of our own.

The knowledge and experience we gained in the flower shop gave us the confidence to envision a business where creativity, artistry, and connection could flourish. With every late-night conversation, our determination grew stronger—until one evening, we finally decided to turn that dream into reality.

What makes Petals & Thorns unique is the way each of us brings a different perspective and style to our designs. Together, those perspectives merge into something truly magical. We are more than just florists—we are friends driven by an overwhelming love for flowers and the joy they bring. Thanks to the signs along the way and the incredible people who believed in us, we knew we were making the right choice in starting this journey.

Peyton, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Petals & Thorns is more than just a flower shop—it’s a place where creativity and passion come together to create something magical. Every arrangement we design is infused with love and care, reflecting our deep appreciation for the beauty flowers bring to life. We are always striving to grow and improve, so our clients can see that dedication in every bouquet and floral piece we create.

We specialize in flowers for all of life’s special moments—weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays, and more. For Charlotte businesses, we also offer weekly fresh floral arrangements to brighten workspaces, as well as our unique Floral Bar experience, where guests can enjoy building their own bouquets at events.

Our business thrives because of the incredible support of our clients and community. We take pride in listening closely, embracing each client’s vision, and providing thoughtful communication every step of the way. The relationships we build mean everything to us—we remember every face, every story, and every moment of support. Without the people who believe in us, Petals & Thorns would not be possible, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Petals & Thorns Flower Studio is still a young and growing small business. While we have a workshop where we create our designs, we do not yet have a physical storefront open to the public. From the very beginning, one of our biggest challenges was figuring out how to market ourselves without that storefront presence.

Social media quickly became our primary tool for reaching the community. While it gave us some traction, it wasn’t quite the level of visibility we had hoped for. As a team, we had to recognize that while social media was a great starting point, it couldn’t be our only strategy. To survive and grow, we needed to expand our efforts, stay hopeful, and keep pushing forward.

That’s when we turned to networking. We began walking into local businesses, sharing our story, handing out business cards, and explaining what makes Petals & Thorns so unique. We also started encouraging others to spread the word about us—because personal recommendations and community support are powerful ways for small businesses like ours to thrive.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media has been a vital part of building our business, especially since we don’t yet have a physical storefront where the public can visit us. In the beginning, we leaned on our close friends and family, asking them to follow our pages and share our content within their own communities. From there, our focus shifted to reaching more people in Charlotte by posting consistently and showcasing a variety of floral designs to highlight both our creativity and our range.

We also recognized that networking online was just as important as posting. Through these efforts, we were invited to participate as a vendor in a styled wedding shoot, where content creators and photographers captured our work in their own unique ways. This opportunity became a turning point for us—it allowed us to showcase our florals, connect with other small businesses, and gain valuable visibility.

As creators shared their photos and tagged us, our work began circulating to new audiences, helping us attract more followers and inquiries from the community. Experiences like this reinforced what we’ve come to believe: networking is one of the most powerful tools for any small business, especially when it comes to building a presence on social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.petalsandthornsflowerstudio.com
• Instagram: @petals.and.thorns_
• Facebook: Petals & Thorns Flower Studio
• Linkedin: N/a
• Twitter: N/a
• Youtube: N/a
• Yelp: N/a
• Soundcloud: N/a
• Other: Tiktok: @Petals.andthorns