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

Janis, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Starting my own business has always been a lifelong dream. Looking back, I sometimes wish I had launched Foundation by Design sooner, but I’m grateful for the journey that brought me to where I am today. Starting later allowed me to grow and gain valuable experiences in my previous roles, but taking the leap 11 months ago has been one of the best decisions of my life. I wouldn’t change a thing! Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible individuals in the wedding and event industry, many of whom are entrepreneurs themselves. It’s been such a blessing to bring joy and beauty to people’s lives through flowers, whether for life’s big milestones or its quieter moments.

To share a little more about my journey, I was about two years out of college when I decided to take this leap of faith. At the time, I was working as a consultant and enjoyed my role, but I started to feel a growing pull toward something new. Around that time, I began helping a local florist on weekends with wedding setups, rekindling a passion for floral design that I had developed in high school and college. That experience reminded me just how much I love working with flowers, and it ultimately inspired me to start my own business.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My love for flowers bloomed in high school as a freshman when I joined the Floral Design team with FFA. I competed throughout high school, but when it came time for college, I set my sights on Texas A&M University, where I earned a degree in Agricultural Business. My first role was in Consulting for Outdoor Hospitality, a job that took me to many states and into deep dives of research for clients.

Over time, I started feeling a bit too settled into the routine and craved something a bit more creative. Floral design immediately came to mind! I connected with someone on social media who needed freelance help with weddings around College Station, and our schedules lined up perfectly. Soon enough, I was back in the world of flowers, helping to set up weddings and getting to design a couple of things of my own here and there.

Then, the opportunity came that would change everything. A friend of a friend reached out, saying they’d heard I was back in floral design and asked if I’d create the flowers for their wedding in February. I was both excited and honestly nervous—I’d never done a full wedding on my own before!

I spent countless hours on YouTube, soaking up everything from business tips to floral design techniques and finding the best wholesalers. When the big day arrived, everything came together beautifully. That experience gave me the confidence to take the leap, say goodbye to my day job, and embrace floral design full-time!

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

One of my favorite sales experiences took place this past August at an Open House event in College Station, TX. The event featured a variety of wedding and event vendors, all connecting with brides-to-be and showcasing their services. I was thrilled to meet so many wonderful people and promote my business, but when the event ended, I found myself with leftover flowers from my booth and the event setup.

I absolutely hate seeing flowers go to waste, so I decided to repurpose the arrangements. I delivered them to the businesses that hosted the Open House as a small token of gratitude. A few days later, I received an unexpected email from someone who had noticed one of my arrangements. She was in the process of planning her January wedding and was still searching for a florist.

She shared how much she loved my work, and after seeing the arrangement, she decided to book with me immediately. That moment marked my first wedding booking for the new year! I was beyond excited and honored to play a part in making her special day beautiful.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Surprisingly, most of my clients have discovered me through Instagram. This has been unexpected, given that my account is relatively small compared to other professionals in the industry. However, I’ve found that people are drawn to the authenticity of seeing the person behind the creations. That’s why I focus on showcasing not just my work but also the passion and personal connection that go into every arrangement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.foundationbydesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundationbydesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foundationbydesign

Image Credits

Lauren Ashleigh Photography
Honey Sage Photography
Daena LC Photography
Kiera Kaptures