Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Josy Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Josy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Wild Vine Floral stems from my love of local flowers and foliage and their rhythm as they bloom seasonally. Looking at what was available for floral deliveries, I saw mostly commercial florists selling popular blooms and arrangements without regard to season or what is blooming naturally. These flowers can be grown with chemicals and flown in. I wanted to offer a sustainable option and offer natural, seasonal and even wild florals. So, I started offering floral arrangements and a flower club in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. I am dedicated to following sustainable practices, including composting, organic gardening, and using non-toxic materials. I am committed to sourcing from local Central Texas flower farms in addition to the blooms and wild bits harvested from my own garden and gathered locally. This commitment to “keeping it local” means flowers are fresher giving longer naturally lasting blooms with a smaller ecological footprint than those sourced out-of-state or internationally. We strive to have a minimal impact on our environment and work to help educate others to make purchases this way in order to leave a better planet for our future generations. Our perennial garden incorporates native and drought tolerant species that thrive in the Austin area including herbs that delight your sense of smell. Attention to what is blooming in the native Texas landscape delights our sense of seasons as they change. (For example, Zinnias bloom in Summer and Sweet Peas flourish in Spring.) Sharing seasonal floral arrangements is one of my life’s sweet joys.
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.
I have maintained gardens at my home my whole life. I also keep my eyes open for wild foliage like grapevines and beautiful grasses. It was not a stretch to harvest these natural beauties and arrange them. Fresh bouquets and a flower club subscription are my most popular offerings. I also dry flowers and make dried, everlasting arrangements. In the fall and winter, I use dried materials to make wreaths. I also enjoy hosting wreath making and floral arranging workshops.
My willingness to use all available seasonal plants in my work sets me apart. You may find stems with small tomato buds and fresh sprigs of basil or fennel in my seasonal arrangements. I add clippings from vines and grasses to the featured blooms to bring a little wild inside.
The most important thing is sustainability. I am lucky to have found local farmers with the same principles. Keeping my ecological footprint small and encouraging other is what I am most proud to be doing.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I started offering by a Mother’s Day arrangement. I took pre orders and was able to by any extra blooms I needed with savings. Starting there, it just grew slowly, week by week. I wanted my business to grow like my gardens, organically.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I can not be sure, but I like to think the people that order to me are also committed to sustainability. They are looking for something unique and local. They are happy to share the colors and textures of our local landscape with their friends and family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wildvinefloral.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_vine_floral/
Image Credits
image 4 of inside studio = chad w adams photography https://www.instagram.com/chadwadamsphotography/