We recently connected with Analisa Marie and have shared our conversation below.

Analisa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

When I first conceived the concept for Wildeflower Collective in 2019, I was driven by a clear vision: to craft a space that championed individuality and inclusivity through a nurtured, supportive community for both artists and clients. I wanted to challenge the norms of traditional bridal beauty by bringing my experience and passion in skin-focused makeup and effortless styles to the wedding industry— natural, elevated beauty for modern brides was a movement, and I wanted to bring it with me where I planned to establish new roots.

After relocating to Portland, I spent months reaching out to artists and vendors whose work I admired, intentionally building relationships to bring my business to life. Interestingly, the pandemic, while disruptive, became a turning point for Wildeflower Collective, which officially launched in 2020. Though the first season did not pan out as expected, the downtime allowed me to strengthen relationships with artists and vendors who, under normal circumstances, would have been too busy to connect. This period of intentional collaboration, styling shoots, and sharing my vision laid the foundation for what was to come.

That groundwork propelled the business forward during the post-pandemic wedding surge. However, the overwhelming demand presented a new set of challenges. As a first-time business owner and solopreneur, I found myself navigating the steep learning curve of entrepreneurship while managing multiple other jobs for the first few years of the business. I longed for mentorship, guidance, and a way to share the responsibilities that often felt insurmountable— and terrifying. I was desperate for help.

In seeking support, I explored a partnership opportunity that, in hindsight, appeared more promising than it truly was. Eager for help and flattered by the potential collaboration, I shared the heart of the business, and found myself promoting the idea as a done deal before properly finalizing anything. The prospect felt like a lifeline, and I believed in its potential so deeply that I treated it as reality before it ever became legit. This eagerness, however, became a blind spot.

I was so excited to align with someone I admired, and to have someone that believed in my vision alongside me, that I poured so much of my energy and my investments into it. I made significant financial commitments to bring the partnership to life, directing funds toward initiatives on the anticipated collaboration, ultimately putting the business at risk, and stretching resources thin. Despite the best intentions and taking time to seek professional advise, differing values and expectations ultimately caused the opportunity to dissolve, taking with it a friendship I had hoped would last a lifetime.

When the prospect of partnership fell apart, it forced me to rebuild my confidence, embrace my role as both an artist and a leader, and refocus on the core of what made Wildeflower Collective thrive. Reflecting on that period, I recognize how the emotional toll of uncertainty and misalignment diverted my energy and focus from what truly mattered. I had been so consumed by fear of failure, weighed down by self-doubt, and overwhelmed by the challenges of diving headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship that I lost sight of my own strength and ability to lead. It was a painful yet transformative experience, and I learned that resilience isn’t about the absence of doubt, but about pushing through it and using challenges as fuel to move forward.

If I were to offer advice to anyone in a similar situation, it would be to slow down, take a deep breath, and trust in yourself—never rush into decisions driven by fear or eagerness. Consulting a lawyer and formalizing all details should always be the first step in any prospective partnership. If your business isn’t at a point where you can take that step, it’s a sign that the timing might not be right.

As Wildeflower Collective celebrates its fifth anniversary this November, I find myself reflecting on these past years with gratitude for the lessons I’ve learned and the confidence I’ve gained amid these growing pains. They have taught me to lead with authenticity, embrace growth in the face of adversity, and, above all trust in my capabilities. Looking ahead, I’m excited to see how the next chapter unfolds and I am committed to honoring the vision that brought Wildeflower Collective to life— ensuring it thrives as a space where individuality and artistry are celebrated!

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’ve been a professional, working makeup artist for the past 12 years– specializing in natural, skin-focused beauty for the bridal industry since 2015. My passion for collaboration, clean beauty, and building meaningful client relationships began early in my career, while assisting on editorial and commercial projects. But my true love for beauty and styling was ignited by my grandmother—her modeling career and timeless, classy-cool style shaped my vision of beauty as an art form. Her influence continues to inspire the way I approach my work today.

In 2019, I launched my idea for Wildeflower Collective to create a community where artists and clients alike could embrace their individuality and share space for modern, elevated, and comfortable approaches to beauty in the bridal world. Our focus has always been on connection—with our clients and with the talented artists within our collective. We prioritize authenticity, and want our clients to feel celebrated, confident, and truly themselves.

We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.

While I haven’t yet sold a business, I’ve gained valuable insights into the process, key considerations, and the complexities that come into play when navigating how to buy into an existing business and establish a partnership. Early on, I was optimistic about the possibility of forming partnerships, but I found that many advisors were cautious about buy-ins. That said, I still believe that with the right alignment and shared values, partnerships can be both successful and rewarding.

While it might seem straightforward to bring someone in after a business is established, there are many nuances that need to be addressed. The most important step is ensuring your financials are in order. Work with trusted accounting professionals to get an accurate valuation of your business, and stay diligent with your financial planning and tracking. This way, you’ll have the data you need to make informed decisions when considering the future of your business.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Building a career as a freelance stylist and makeup artist isn’t as glamorous as it may look from the outside. Like most artists, I started by building my portfolio with trade work—lots of unpaid gigs—while juggling other jobs to keep things moving. It was a balancing act, and honestly, finding that sweet spot between “other work” and staying available for new opportunities was a huge challenge, especially in an industry with such tough entry barriers.

But over time (about 8 years in!) I was able to transition out of my side jobs and fully commit to my craft. I scaled up my freelance business by growing a solid network and referral base, and I focused on carving out a niche that I truly loved. That’s when I launched Wildeflower Collective—a space that brings together artists and clients, creating opportunities for everyone involved. Now, our collective supports talented artists across Oregon and services brides throughout the Northwest and California. It’s been a wild ride, but I’m so proud of how it’s all come together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thewildeflower.co
• Instagram: @thewildeflower.co

Image Credits

kassandra out west
april burkhart
jess buckley
jocelyn rae bourlier
sara welch