We were lucky to catch up with Karla Bauer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Karla, thanks for joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
My parents have always been incredibly supportive. From a young age, they encouraged me to be independent, to experiment, to create, and to never be afraid of trying something new. I went to college for architecture, and my father, being a civil engineer, influenced my appreciation for structure and construction. My mom, on the other hand, is incredibly crafty, and her creativity is amazing—she’s the one who truly nurtured my love for design.
Even though they are in Mexico and I’ve been living in New York for nine years, their constant encouragement lifts me up every day and keeps me going.
A fun story is that my maiden name is Clemente, and it felt like an honor to incorporate it into my business name, The Clementine. Plus, orange—one of the signature colors of my brand—is actually my parents’ favorite color!
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?
I’m Karla Bauer, the creative director behind The Clementine. Born and raised in Mexico, I originally studied and worked as an architect before moving to the U.S. nine years ago. I spent some time in the service industry until the pandemic turned everything upside down. That’s when I started working in a flower shop—and what I thought would be a temporary job quickly became my passion and purpose.
In 2022, I decided to start my journey as a business owner with the vision of creating unique, meaningful, and unforgettable floral experiences—the kind that make people stop and stare. Whether it’s a wedding, a photoshoot, or an editorial piece, our goal is always to design florals that feel like you.
What sets The Clementine apart? Authenticity, storytelling, and a little bit of magic. We don’t do cookie-cutter designs—every arrangement reflects our client’s vibe, vision, and personality. We also care deeply about sustainability, repurposing flowers whenever possible, and working with seasonal, locally sourced blooms.
Education is at the heart of what we do. I believe in continuously learning and evolving—whether through workshops, collaborations, or exploring new techniques. Staying curious and open to growth is what allows us to push creative boundaries and bring fresh ideas to every design.
But above all, the greatest joy of designing and being a business owner is that moment when a client steps into a space we’ve created and truly feels something. That feeling—tailored to each event—is what makes everything worth it.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In my early events, I made little to no profit. There were multiple reasons for this—I didn’t know how to budget properly, and all the behind-the-scenes expenses consumed more of my earnings than I expected. But instead of letting those experiences discourage me, I chose to learn from them. I realized that if I wanted The Clementine to succeed, I had to invest in educating myself—not just in floral design, but also in the business side of things.
Another moment that truly tested my resilience was when the flowers for an event arrived late. Typically, they come three days before the event to allow time for processing and arranging. This time, they arrived just one day before. It was a stressful situation, and I knew I couldn’t do it alone. That’s when I experienced the power of community. Fellow florists stepped in to help, and together we pulled off something beautiful despite the time constraints.
In any kind of business—especially in the floral industry—resilience is key. Things don’t always go as planned, but the ability to adapt, problem-solve, and trust both your own skills and the support around you makes all the difference. Challenges will come, but they are just opportunities to grow, create, and keep moving forward.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think my reputation in the floral industry has been built on a mix of consistency, creativity, and strong relationships. My parents taught me to always go the extra mile and to never deliver something I wouldn’t be proud of. That lesson has stuck with me—I always give my best and treat every event as if it were my own, respecting my clients’ vision while guiding them with my expertise.
Another thing that has helped is sharing my work and process on social media. I love taking my audience behind the scenes, showing them the work that goes into each design, and connecting with them on a more personal level.
Ultimately, I genuinely love what I do, and that passion reflects in my work. When you care deeply about your craft and the people you work with, it shows—and people remember that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theclementineee.com
- Instagram: @theclementineee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14EpqFbqP7q/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Samantha Ernest
Edgar Tescum
Graciela Elena
Hayley Adoptante
Karla Tomanelli
Edgar Tescum
Nicole Puckette
Nikki Baker
Edgar Tescum
Graciela Elena