We recently connected with Deanna Whitlow and have shared our conversation below.
Deanna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
My love for flowers began as a young first-time home buyer. I spent hours in the garden as my retreat away from the Hussle and Bussle of life creating a therapeutic escape. I loved experimenting with colors, textures, and different plant combinations, turning my outdoor space into a vibrant display of creativity. It wasn’t long before friends and family began asking for gardening advice and even requesting personal arrangements for special occasions.
What started as a hobby of creating beautiful floral gifts quickly turned into something more. I loved crafting thoughtful, unique bouquets for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, and soon, word spread. People began asking if they could buy my arrangements. I never expected it, but the demand grew so quickly that I decided to take the plunge and turn my passion into a business.
In 2024, I set out a plan for Valentine’s Day, I officially launched Dainty Floral Design, and it took off beyond my wildest dreams. But I didn’t want to create your typical flower arrangements. I wanted my work to be more like art—arrangements that told a story, evoked emotions, and went beyond the norm. No cookie-cutter bouquets here; each arrangement is a piece of personalized art that goes beyond the standard “knock on the door” delivery.
With Dainty Floral Design, my goal has always been to blend my love of all things colorful, fun, memorable and unique. What started as a simple hobby has blossomed into a thriving business, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.
Deanna, 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?
My name is Deanna, and I’ve always had a deep love for flowers. learning how to care for plants and appreciating the beauty of every bloom. Over the years, tending to my garden became more than just a hobby—it became a way to express my creativity. I found joy in experimenting with floral arrangements for friends and family, and that’s what eventually led me to start my own business.
I don’t just make typical bouquets; I design arrangements that tell a story, evoke emotions, and feel truly personalized. Whether my client request a Colt’s Blue wedding arrangement, a divorce party bouquet or a whimsical bottle bouquet, it is my ultimate goal to provide the “WOW” factor.
What I’m most proud of is how Dainty Floral Design has grown from a personal passion to something that brings joy to so many people. The feedback from my clients has been incredible, and it means so much to know that my work can make a special moment even more memorable. When you choose Dainty Floral Design, you’re not just getting flowers—you’re getting a thoughtfully designed piece of art that brings life and beauty into any space.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots in my life came when I decided to turn my love for gardening and flowers into a full-fledged business. For most of my life, floral design had been a personal passion. I had a stable career and was comfortable, but deep down, I felt like something was missing. I always dreamed of doing something more creative, something that would bring more joy and beauty into people’s lives.
To that I say step out on “Faith” that could be the best decision you can ever make.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building an audience on social media has been a journey filled with learning and creativity! When I first started Dainty Floral Design, I knew I had to use social media as a way to showcase my work and connect with potential clients. But, like many people starting out, I didn’t have a huge following or a clear strategy. I just knew I wanted to share my love for flowers and creativity in a way that felt authentic to me.
In the beginning, I focused on quality over quantity. I didn’t stress about posting every day, but when I did post, I made sure the content reflected the uniqueness of my floral designs. I’d share behind-the-scenes snippets of me arranging flowers, gardening tips, and, of course, beautiful photos of my finished work. I quickly learned that people love seeing the process and the personal touch behind the product, so I made it a point to include that in my posts. Although I dont have a large following on social media, what I do have is a large referral sphere from happy customers.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Dainty.Floral.Design
