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

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I come from a very multifaceted career path. AKA I jumped jobs a lot in my 20s! From documentary photography > curating > archiving > the restaurant industry > natural health > landscaping + gardening > to finally floral design. I loved it all, but I knew I needed to work for myself and nothing felt quite right.

In 2020, I started to have interest in floral design and decided to go to Mexico City to take a workshop with a florist I admired named Pili Fuentes. The stars aligned for me those 3 hours in her home. It was pure magic and I knew from that moment it was what I wanted to pursue.

Synchronicity is a wild thing and I truly believe in it. During that first year, a local florist + gardener I worked with in the city, Julie Raymond from Bittersweet Gardens, posted about how she needed assistance. Julie is a rockstar flower farmer + florist who grows a lot of her own product on her property in Kingston, MA. Since all weddings were cancelled, she couldn’t hire someone to help her in the gardens so we agreed that if I came down to help once a week, she would pay me in flowers and design knowledge. I would take buckets of flowers home, watch videos online and practice what she taught me. It was one of the best opportunities that came my way and I am forever grateful.

From there, I freelanced for numerous florists, both in Boston and New York City. And 3 years to the anniversary of when I first started, I launched my own floral design business, EPHEMIRUS.

There are so many talented florists and everyone is killing it in their own unique way. I think what sets me apart is twofold:::::

I have 20 years experience in the service industry so Im really good at client relations, understanding all the components that go into making an experience special and problem solving. I can focus on details while also stepping back to see the bigger picture. I put my clients as ease and I help make their wedding special, seamless and representative of their relationship. I also love to wine + dine so making a gorgeous tablescape is my LOVE LANGUAGE.

I also have a BFA and do sculpture and painting on the side. Because sculpture work demands attention to mechanics as much as to aesthetics, it’s really nurtured my love for floral installations. My design style is loose, organic and garden inspired. Im keenly aware of how colors play off each other, the use of negative space, shape making and depth. I pull a lot of inspiration from the New England landscape and forage quite a bit when the season allows. When I can, I hire local artists so think handblown vases, naturally dyed fabric, painted backdrops and custom arbors. All of it contributes to a gorgeous and special celebration!

I think what Im most proud of is the relationships Ive made over these past few years. From fellow florists to wedding planners, wholesale vendors, flower farmers, event coordinators, woodworkers, painters, photographers, ceramicists and everyone else in between.

It’s important for me that EPHEMIRUS not only creates beautiful work, but adds to, creates and supports a creative community. And I hope to do more of that in the coming seasons.

Cailla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

I come from a background that held very high standards for a strong work ethic. To the degree that as an adult, I can now recognize as unhealthy + unfulfilling. And this certainly speaks to our culture as a whole, especially in the greater Boston area that is so grossly expensive to live in.

I certainly like to travel and try to save for adventures away from home, immersing into a new culture always allows me to properly set a boundary with work and learn more about myself.

But when traveling or taking a large amount of time off isn’t feasible (hello spring wedding season!), Im very conscious of taking moments for myself. Mini vacations is what I call them. Whether its one day a week or even an hour in a busy day. It’s imperative for our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing that we take a break from the constant grind. Period. And as a creative, it’s even more important. We need time to do nothing.

My biggest advice for doing this? Schedule it ahead of time. Block out your calendar. Pack your beach bag. Book that flight. You don’t let anything interfere with a scheduled meeting, so why should you let anything interfere with that one hour in the park you reserved for yourself?

It’s your life. Work hard, but enjoy it too. You’ll be surprised at how much a vacation can make you a better business owner.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Everyone has their own management style, but these are my top 4, in no particular order:

1. Get to know each individual person on your team. What are they’re good at, what do they struggle with and most importantly, what are their goals and where do they want to grow? Your employees are creative individual people with various backgrounds, interests, experiences and insights. Get to know what makes them tick.
2. Communication! It’s imperative that you clearly communicate what the expectations of the job are, what goals are being set and how you and the team can achieve them. It’s important to have team meetings (how often is up to you) so everyone can get on the same page, express any questions or concerns and feel supported.
3. Organization. You can’t expect work to get done efficiently if things aren’t organized. You’re the one who sets the standard for this.
4. Celebrate! Have fun! Let your team know you appreciate them. Take care of lunch during a particularly demanding week, throw an end of the year party, provide perks in the office.

Management can be challenging, make sure you give yourself a pat on the back too :)

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Entrepreneurial + philosophy no (I’m all ears). Creativity + defining what success is for you- yes!

The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron
The Fire Starter Sessions – Danielle Laporte

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ephemirus.com
• Instagram: @ephemirus
• Other: https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-florists/ephemirus

Image Credits
Xana Turner-Owens, Callisto and Company, Ally Schmaling Photography, Ashley Olafsson Photography and Kassandra Melnyk Photo