Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jill Skousen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jill, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

There are definitely days I wonder what it would be like to have a regular 9 – 5 again. I got my degree in interior design and worked at a respected design firm for a while before I decided to take a leap and start my own creative business. It was a scary, but exciting choice. Honestly, it was one of those “choose your hard” moments. The structure and consistency of a salaried job was comfortable, but I craved more creative freedom and flexibility than it could offer.

Owing a small business comes with its own set of challenges, it’s not easier, I’ll tell you that, just a different kind of hard. But even on those days, I know the hard is leading somewhere meaningful, toward a life and career I’m truly proud of. Running my own floral, cake, and event design business has taught me so much, allows me to explore my creativity, gives me freedom, and most importantly to create meaningful connections with clients and bring their vision to life.

Jill, 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?

Creating without limits has always come naturally to me. From a young age, I was drawn to making beautiful things in every medium I could possibly get my hands on. From painting, silversmithing, to cake decorating, crafting, music, and even mowing fresh cut diagonal lines into grass. The list goes on. I never saw the point in choosing just one form of creative expression — where’s the fun in that?

At 15, I started a cake business called The Freckled Baker — a cute little name that stuck with me through high school, college, 9-to-5 jobs, and even my time as an interior designer. Though it sat in the background for years, that creative spark never faded. After I got married, I found myself intrigued by the wedding industry. One by one, I started adding new services; floristry, event details, calligraphy, signage. With these additions, I came to love my side hustle even more and more, thriving as I filled my mind and days with imagination and inspiration.

What started as a self-taught birthday cake business, my interests and skills evolved, and so did my aesthetic. I began leaning into marketing and social media to share the transformation of my style. Eventually, I rebranded to The Freckled Maker, quit my full-time job, and officially launched my business in 2024. It felt like everything had finally fell into place — florals, cakes, styling, and thoughtful design, all meeting at the perfect intersection of everything I loved.

My main goal is to make the wedding planning process feel effortless for my clients. Decreasing the juggle of multiple vendors, by giving them the ease to pick a cohesive package through my services.

At the heart of it all, my second goal is to keep creating. If my business shifts or expands, that’s okay. I want to love every aspect of my career I’ve created for myself. I hope my story inspires others to stay curious, to change with the seasons of your life, and to give themselves permission to be themselves, grow, try, fail, and begin again. whether you’re at a 9-5, in school, or just at home —never limit your creativity.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

One of the biggest things I wish I’d known earlier in my journey is just how valuable community really is. Especially in the floral world, so much growth can come from simply being around other who are doing what you’re doing. Freelancing for other florists, asking questions, learning from each other. It all makes such a difference.

It’s easy to feel like you’re alone or like you have to protect your process because you’re technically “competing” with others. But the truth is, the people who do what you do are often the ones who can support you the most. They get it. They’ve been through the growing pains, have learned from failure and success. And when we lift each other up instead of holding back, everyone wins.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

One of the best ways society can support artist and creatives is by understanding the time, effort, and thought that goes into what we make. In floristry especially, flowers themselves can be quite expensive, when sourcing high-quality or seasonal varieties. But beyond that, there’s so much design, care, and detail behind the scenes involved. It’s not just arranging flowers — we’re creating a form of living art.

The same goes for cakes, they’re not just dessert, they are edible sculptures. So much intention and care go into both of these crafts, and it’s important to understand when you’re hiring an artist, you’re not just paying for a product — you’re paying for years of practice.

So yes, it might cost more, but you’re getting something truly special. Something handcrafted, poured over with heart, and impossible to mass produce or replicate.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thefreckledmaker

Image Credits

@sarah.jane.photo
@filmsbyry
@sheiakeiphoto
@chloeautumnphoto
@emilysbradyphoto
@calistarosefilm