We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dillon Drake. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dillon below.
Dillon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
When I first started Designs by Dillon, it truly began as a side gig and not some big, perfectly mapped-out business plan. I had always loved design, creativity, and anything that involved making something feel beautiful and intentional. After designing florals for a friend’s wedding, something clicked for me. I realized how much I loved the process of bringing someone’s vision to life through flowers and design, and it made me start thinking, “Could this actually become something more?”
At that point, the idea was exciting, but I had no roadmap. I was still figuring everything out as I went. The first real step was deciding to take it seriously enough to make it official. I filed for an LLC, created an Instagram page, and started putting myself out there, even before I felt fully “ready.” That season was a lot of learning by doing. I was figuring out pricing, sourcing flowers, how to talk to clients, how to create proposals, and honestly just how to run a business at all.
In the beginning, I was working out of a 500-square-foot apartment. I didn’t have a beautiful studio or a huge team or all the resources I have now. I was designing in a small space and using a window unit to help keep flowers fresh. It was definitely not glamorous, but I was passionate enough to make it work with what I had. Every event, every inquiry, and every challenge taught me something. I was constantly learning what I needed to improve, what systems I needed to create, and how to build something sustainable instead of just creative.
As the business grew, so did the need for more space and more structure. When I moved into a house with a carport and put a commercial walk-in cooler in the back yard, that felt like a huge step forward. It gave me the ability to take on more work and operate more efficiently. Then in May 2020, I took an even bigger leap and moved into a commercial studio space. That was one of those moments where the business started to feel very real. By February 2023, we had expanded into a second unit with a conference room, separate offices, and another warehouse space for rentals.
Looking back, the process of launching wasn’t one giant moment — it was a lot of small decisions made consistently over time. It was saying yes to opportunities, figuring things out one step at a time, investing back into the business whenever I could, and being willing to grow before I felt completely ready. I had to figure out the legal side, the creative side, the logistics, the client experience, and the operational side all at once. It was messy at times, but it was also exciting.
What moved me beyond the idea phase was not having everything perfectly figured out — it was simply starting. I think so many people wait until the timing feels perfect, but for me, it was really about taking the first step, learning from it, and then taking the next one. Over time, those steps built the foundation for what Designs by Dillon is today.
Dillon, 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 Dillon, the founder and creative director behind Designs by Dillon. I got into this industry in a very organic way. I’ve always had a love for design, flowers, and creating spaces that feel beautiful, intentional, and memorable. What started as a passion for creativity eventually turned into a business after I had the opportunity to design florals for a friend’s wedding. That experience opened my eyes to how much I loved not just the artistic side of floral design, but also the process of helping bring someone’s vision to life in a meaningful way. From there, what began as a side business slowly grew into the full-service floral and event design company it is today.
At Designs by Dillon, we specialize in wedding and event florals, as well as thoughtfully curated design elements that help transform a space and create an experience. Our work goes beyond simply providing flowers — we focus on creating an atmosphere that feels cohesive, elevated, and deeply personal to each client. We work closely with clients to understand their style, their priorities, and the feeling they want their guests to experience. From bouquets and centerpieces to large-scale installations and full ceremony and reception designs, we help take someone’s ideas and turn them into something tangible, beautiful, and unforgettable.
I think one of the biggest problems we solve for our clients is helping them move from inspiration to execution. A lot of people know how they want their wedding or event to feel, but they don’t necessarily know how to get there. They may have a Pinterest board full of ideas, but not a clear plan. We help bridge that gap by taking those ideas and turning them into a thoughtful, realistic design plan that not only looks beautiful, but also works within the space, the logistics, and the overall flow of the event. We also help relieve a lot of stress for clients by being a team they can trust to handle the floral and design details with care, professionalism, and creativity.
What I believe sets us apart is the level of intention and heart behind what we do. We care deeply about the experience our clients have with us, not just the final product. We want them to feel heard, understood, and taken care of throughout the process. Our designs are tailored rather than one-size-fits-all, and I think that personal approach makes a difference. We’re known for creating refined, lush, and impactful designs, but also for being deeply invested in doing things well behind the scenes — from communication and planning to setup, execution, and breakdown.
What I’m most proud of is how far this business has come and the trust we’ve built along the way. When I first started, I was working in a very small space with limited resources, simply driven by passion and a vision for what this could become. Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to design florals for so many incredible events, including large-scale weddings and celebrations that pushed us creatively and allowed us to grow in such meaningful ways. I’m especially proud that clients trust us with some of the most important days of their lives. That trust is never something I take lightly.
I’m also incredibly proud of the team that has helped make this business what it is. No business grows on its own, and I’ve been fortunate to have people alongside me who believe in the vision and work hard to help bring it to life. Their support, creativity, and dedication have played such a huge role in our growth.
The main thing I want potential clients, followers, and readers to know is that Designs by Dillon is built on both creativity and care. We love beautiful design, but we also care deeply about people. We believe flowers and thoughtful design have the ability to completely transform a space, set the tone for an event, and create moments people remember. Our goal is always to create work that feels elevated and visually impactful, but also personal and meaningful. At the end of the day, we want every client to feel like their vision mattered, their story was honored, and every detail was handled with excellence.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes — Designs by Dillon absolutely started as a side hustle before it became my full-time business. In the beginning, it was simply a creative outlet that grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined. I had always loved design, flowers, and creating beautiful spaces, but it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to design florals for a friend’s wedding that I really saw the potential for it to become a business.
After that, I decided to take the leap and make it official by filing for an LLC and creating an Instagram page. At the time, I didn’t have some huge master plan — I was just taking it one step at a time, learning as I went, and saying yes to opportunities that helped me grow. In the early days, I was working out of a 500-square-foot apartment and using a window unit to help keep flowers fresh. It was very humble and definitely not glamorous, but I was passionate enough to make it work with what I had.
As the business started growing, so did the need for more space and more structure. One major milestone was moving into a house where I had a carport workspace and I put in a commercial walk-in cooler. That gave me more room to operate and allowed me to take on larger events more efficiently. Another huge milestone came in May 2020 when I moved into a commercial studio space. That was a moment where the business started to feel very real and established. Then in February 2023, we expanded into a second unit, which gave us a conference room, separate offices, and another warehouse space for rentals.
Looking back, the growth happened through a lot of consistency, hard work, and a willingness to keep evolving. It wasn’t one giant breakthrough moment — it was a series of small, intentional steps that built on each other over time. What started as a side hustle became a full-time business because I kept showing up, kept learning, and kept investing back into the vision. Now, I’m incredibly proud that Designs by Dillon has grown into a full-service floral and event design company trusted with some truly incredible celebrations.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think the biggest thing that helped me build a strong reputation in my market has been a combination of consistency, trust, and genuinely caring about the client experience. Beautiful work will always matter in a creative industry, but I’ve found that people remember so much more than just how something looked — they remember how you made them feel throughout the process, how reliable you were, and whether you followed through on what you promised.
From the beginning, I’ve always wanted Designs by Dillon to be known not just for beautiful florals, but for professionalism, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail. Weddings and events are such important, emotional occasions, and clients need vendors they can trust completely. I think our reputation has been built by consistently delivering designs that feel elevated and personalized, while also making the process feel organized and dependable behind the scenes.
Another huge part of that has been relationships. This industry is very relationship-driven, and I’ve worked hard to build strong connections not only with clients, but also with planners, venues, and other vendors in the wedding and event world. When people know they can count on you, communicate easily with you, and trust your creative vision, that goes a long way.
I also think reputation is built over time by doing the little things well over and over again. It’s showing up prepared, caring deeply about the details, being willing to solve problems, and treating every event with the same level of importance. I’m proud that our business has grown in large part through trust, referrals, and relationships, because to me that says people believe in the work and the experience we provide.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designsbydillon.com
- Instagram: @designsbydillonnc
- Facebook: @designsbydillonnc
Image Credits
Megan Morales Photography
https://www.instagram.com/meganmoralesphoto