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

Ashley, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents are very hardworking individuals. My father owns his own business, and my mother has always worked. From a young age, both my parents taught my siblings and I what hard work looks like and how important it is to follow through on a project and your word. Alongside the example of hard work, my mother always worked in the garden at home and has a love for flowers. Working with her in the garden growing up influenced me later in life to start my own floral business. Not only have my parents taught me these valuable lessons, but they continue to help and support my business everyday. Often times, I am able to call on them to help with last minute deliveries, or building mechanics for a floral installation, or to help with event set up. Their support is always there.

Ashley, 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?

Rooted Petal is a business that offers fresh floral arrangements for any occasion. As well, offering a chance for people to rent the “Petal Bar,” which allows clients and their guests to build their own bouquets from a variety of hand selected blooms. I have brought this experience to various markets in the Wilmington, NC area and other businesses for charity events. I also offer a monthly flower subscription. For $20-$30 a month customers receive a fresh arrangement delivered to their door once a month.

Rooted Petal has been a work in progress the it’s beginning. I am a middle school teacher in Wilmington, NC. I have taught in the public school system for over 10 years. A major part of teaching is being creative and problem-solving. It is a daily part of my teaching job, as well as in the design and planning aspects of floristry. Teaching has always been fulfilling to me, but I have always had a love and passion for flowers. Buying flowers from the grocery store and rearranging them to place in my home has always been a hobby of mine. I made floral arrangements for family and friends who asked for help with parties or other special occasions prior to launching Rooted Petal.

I started Rooted Petal back in 2018 while working with a local wedding planner. At the time I was helping with behind the scenes planning and ” day of ” help. It was during those times that I really felt that I could bring Rooted Petal to life and do more with flowers- and I did. It was with the encouragement from my husband, family, and friends that I took a risk and started taking on bigger projects.

Since 2018 I have been a part of weddings, parties, special occasions, prom, bridal showers, and have recently started expanding into markets and other events offering a “Petal Bar” – a build your bouquet experience. I am still currently teaching full-time and building Rooted Petal to hopefully become my full-time career. I have had a lot of help and support from my friends and family throughout the years. Rooted Petal would not be what is it is today without their endless help and support.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a florist is seeing the end result and being there when my client sees it as well. The smiles and tears at the bouquet drop off on the day of a wedding, or the big reception reveal always outweigh any problem or obstacle that may have come up during the building of the florals in the days before.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The ultimate goal for Rooted Petal is to be able to turn this side hustle into a full-time career. I would love to leave a business and legacy for my own children to have to continue to grow and develop if they desire to.

Contact Info:

• Website: rooted-petal.com
• Instagram: @rooted.petal.nc

Image Credits
Photo credit: Chasity Todd (image 3) and Lauren Memory Photography (image 5)