We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chanel Lee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chanel below.

Chanel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I embarked on my journey as a florist in my late 20s but my love for flowers started early during my childhood with my grandmother in her garden. Despite this early connection, I never envisioned becoming a florist, primarily due to the absence of role models who resembled me in the field. However, as I matured, I found joy in crafting artificial flower arrangements for family and friends  especially during challenging periods in my life. This therapeutic outlet sparked my interest in floristry. Initially, I hesitated to work with fresh flowers due to their perishable nature, my self-doubt hindered my confidence in creating fresh arrangements. Seeking mentorship from established florists was a bit challenging, numerous attempts resulted in rejections. Undeterred, I refused to give up, choosing instead to believe in my abilities an go for it. Eventually, I gained confidence and ventured into the world of fresh flowers and opened my business. Reflecting on my journey, I acknowledge that my enthusiasm led me to hastily dive into the floristry business without acquiring a solid foundation in its operational aspects. I neglected the business side of the industry, relying heavily on my God-given talent and aspirations. In retrospect, I can admit had I’d taken the time to really learn the ins and outs of business I could have significantly expedited my growth without all of the hardships. While trial and error has served as my best teacher, I recognize that if I would have had a more structured learning path I wouldn’t have taken so many losses. Sometimes you can’t just rely on your gift you have to learn the essential business skills and understand the market dynamics that way you can come up with a strategic business plan to avoid a lot of the challenges I faced in the early stages of my journey.

Despite the obstacles I encountered, and the unconventional path taken, I cherish the experiences that shaped my growth as a florist. My journey, though longer than anticipated, has instilled in me a profound understanding of the industry and a resilient determination to continually grow.

Chanel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Chanel Lee, the founder of Living Beauty Florals, I’m a self-taught floral designer and a single mother to a beautiful daughter that is also a partner in my business. My venture into the floral industry began in 2018, crafting beautiful arrangements right from my condo garage. What sets us apart is our commitment to inspire self-care and creativity through the enchanting world of flowers. With over a decade of experience in the floral industry, I’ve garnered numerous awards and actively participated in community initiatives spreading love with flowers and art.

With our Bouquet bar we encourage individuals to embrace the simple joy of purchasing flowers for themselves and also recognizing the beauty in themselves. We also have a ChalkVan it’s our unique delivery van doubling as a chalk canvas, it brings a creative touch to various events. With the tagline “Leave your mark,” we aim to create moments of joy and self-expression within the community. Our commitment to community engagements is further exemplified by our floral design classes we host for children in our community. We take pride in Living Beauty Florals it’s more than just a flower company; it represents a movement of self-care, creativity, and community.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Absolutely, there was a recent pivotal moment in my business journey. Our beloved delivery van, ChalkVanJax, gained tremendous popularity, and the demands became overwhelming. Balancing the logistics of the van and my true passion for flowers became a significant challenge, leading to burnout and a neglect of my floral work. As the maintenance issues with the van escalated, my focus shifted entirely towards saving it. I was so driven by the joy it brought to the community. However, this came at a cost both financially and, more importantly, to my mental well-being. The stress reached a point where it plunged me into a state of depression. Ironically, it was during this difficult time that my love for flowers became my source of solace and recovery. Recognizing the need to prioritize my mental health and true passion, I made the difficult decision to put ChalkVanJax on hold. It was a crucial step towards reclaiming my focus, my joy, and returning to the heart of what truly drives me – the beauty and artistry of flowers.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative lies in the profound impact on those around me. It warms my heart to hear little boys and girls that are inspired by our floral classes express their aspirations to become florists themselves. Witnessing their belief in themselves is incredibly fulfilling.

Also, knowing that my dedication and passion serve as an inspiration for my daughter is truly heartwarming. Hearing her express pride in my work and acknowledging that I encourage her to dream big is a testament to the positive influence creativity can have on the next generation.

Beyond that, the community engagement, particularly through our ChalkVan, is equally rewarding. Seeing my community come together, expressing love, and spreading powerful messages with their words and creativity on our chalk van makes all the challenges and hard work absolutely worthwhile. It reinforces the idea that creativity has the power to unite and inspire people and that is the most rewarding of all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LBflorals.com
• Instagram: livingbeautyflorals_ & ChalkvanJax
• Facebook: fb.me/LBflorals

Image Credits
Toni Smailagic www.cre8jax.com