We recently connected with Candace Noel and have shared our conversation below.

Candace, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

During the beginning of the Covid pandemic, I was the creative director and graphic designer for a youth chamber orchestra. Though I had worked in-house for six years for the non-profit organization, my salary was reduced by half without any explanation. I originally thought it was Covid-related and that donations had slowed since many people were being laid off and were cash-strapped. I soon realized that of the three employees’ salaries, mine was the only salary cut without any reason. There were no negative performance reviews or any issues with my work. So, I was really upset about my reduced salary and concerned about the future of my job. To be clear, this was not a job I loved. I was miserable. Though I loved designing at the non-profit, the environment was extremely toxic—to the point where it was causing health issues from all of the harassment I received over the years. There was no way I was going to be able to support myself and my daughter on half of an already too-low salary. So, I had to make a decision — remain at a soul-crushing job with a significantly reduced salary or resign and follow my dream of starting a floral design business. I took a risk and resigned. I was determined to create a life I loved and on my terms. Leaving my job was scary, especially since I had someone depending on me. However, I knew that my daughter deserved a happy mother and I deserved an amazing life.

In 2020, I started doing my business full-time. My floral design business is event-based, so it was difficult to get started since the pandemic had everyone quarantined at home and they were being advised not to attend events. I was discouraged because I did not know how I was going to grow my business during a pandemic where you should stay away from people as often as possible. To stay afloat, I applied for many grants and started a floral subscription service, which provides floral arrangements for private homes and businesses. I pushed the subscription service until Covid slowed down and people were no longer quarantining. Many of my graphic design clients also became my new floral design clients. I have wonderful clients who trust me to create beauty in their spaces. My life is currently in full color and I am beyond grateful that I took the risk. I’ve created a life that allows me to be creative, share my love of flowers, and be the best mother I can be.

Candace, 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?

I was born an artist. I’ve been creating art since the age of five and to this day, I have always found ways to create beauty. I have been a graphic designer for almost 20 years and a floral designer for 5 years. Many years ago, I started taking floral design classes out of curiosity. I was on the computer all day as a graphic designer and wanted to create with my hands. The floral design classes were so exciting. It was amazing to be able to use exotic flowers and learn floral techniques. I noticed how happy I was during each class. A feeling of delight would come over me while I was designing and working with flowers. That’s when I discovered my love of floral design. So, I started signing up for more classes and hoarding flower books. I was obsessed. After a class one night, I told my mother how much I was enjoying the classes. She mentioned that she realized many years before that I was good at designing flowers. Whenever family members wanted to celebrate a milestone event, I was usually the one asked to design florals for the events. She suggested that starting a floral design business would be a great business venture for me. I honestly never thought about flowers in that way until she mentioned it.

I was in grad school when my mother mentioned the business venture so I focused on a business plan and was able to create one with the help of my professors. Two years after grad school, I started Flora Noel. Flora Noel is a floral design and events studio based in Houston, Texas that specializes in personalizing experiences for special events and private spaces. We design floral arrangements that convey the desired mood of each event through color, shape, texture, and movement. We also provide a floral subscription service that delivers floral arrangements weekly, bi-monthly, and monthly.

Floral Noel provides the ultimate floral experience for their clients. Our clients can leave the stress of florals and decor to us and enjoy their events. We design florals for weddings, dinner parties, non-profit and corporate events and milestone celebrations. Events are specially designed for each client based on the look and feel they desire for their celebration. As one of the few black floral designers in this industry, particularly of Caribbean descent, my voice and my view set me apart. My vibrant use of color and non-traditional style attracts clients who want their events filled with excitement, culture, boldness and whimsy.

I am most proud that I stay true to myself. It is so easy to go on social media and imitate others because they have a certain level of success. However, I have realized that I attract my dream clients when I create what I love. I draw from my culture, music and travel to create what is an extension of my soul. I love what I do and my mission is to spread joy with flowers.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There is an organization called Black Girl Florists that I wish I knew about earlier in my creative journey. When I first started, I only knew of two black florists and they were men based in California. I was amazed when I stumbled upon Black Girl Florists on Instagram and saw that they were a major support system for black female florists. It’s a free organization that promotes your business, offers workshops, and memberships, and even helps find freelancers to support you at your events. They have been so helpful, especially in their Facebook group. I have met other local florists through this organization and found freelancing opportunities for the floral design businesses.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing the joy flowers bring to people. I love seeing the excited reactions of my clients when they open their doors and are delivered flowers or the first time they see their event florals. The feeling is electric and I am so happy that I get to be the person that ignites positivity.

Contact Info:

• Website: floranoel.com
• Instagram: flora_noel_design
• Facebook: flora noel
• Other: [email protected] 713.231.0134