We were lucky to catch up with Maegan Howard recently and have shared our conversation below.
Maegan , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
How did I learn?
What a small question that spans so many years of my life. I learned by watching my mom and Nana — they were doers in every sense of the word. From event planning and floral design to Christmas lights and holiday décor, they did it all. So many of my skills come from years spent shadowing the giants in my world of creativity.
Nana was a skilled laborer, installing holiday lights and designing beautiful, glowing displays. My mom, on the other hand, specializes in elegant tablescapes and lush Christmas trees overflowing with joy. Their combined talents, refined over time, shaped me into who I am today — a Christmas enthusiast with a passion for flowers and making life more beautiful.
I’ve been fortunate to have many people encourage my learning along the way: my high school floral design teacher, who taught me the importance of mechanics; Shirley Kirk, who guided me in funeral work and regional designs; and Carol Vines, who showed me how one extra touch can completely transform a look. These people have truly made me who I am today.
One way I think I could have expedited my learning would have been by trusting my own eye for projects. For a long time, I didn’t have the confidence to do things my way. My Nana, with her loud and boisterous personality, often overshadowed my natural meekness.
I wish I had done more, sooner, to grow my portfolio. My lack of self-confidence kept me from putting myself — and my work — out there. Looking back, I wish I had realized earlier that I am capable of creating beautiful things, just like the women who came before me.
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 an all-around creative offering services for every part of life: wedding planning, home décor, funeral work, everyday floral designs, Christmas light installations — you name it, I can make it work. I’ve always had a desire to make things beautiful; it brings me so much joy and satisfaction. One of my top love languages is acts of service, so I get just as much as I give. I’ve been blessed to turn my talents into my career.
My favorite service to offer is funeral work. As sad and difficult as it can be, I truly love providing that final “thank you” from the family to their loved one. Bringing their personality to life through flowers is such a meaningful tribute.
My goal is to be a one-stop shop, once you come to me, everything else is taken care of. I live for those full-circle moments when everything works out exactly as it’s meant to. I genuinely care about each and every one of my clients, and I put my full effort into every detail. My personal standards are extremely high, and I strive to outwork and outdo myself every time
My Christmas light business has been the most difficult, stressful, and rewarding job I’ve ever had. I worked alongside my Nana for about ten years, and when she passed, I took over as owner. It has truly been a rollercoaster.
That first year was tough — I had a lot of frustration with how she ran things. She had a way of making herself indispensable, keeping certain small details to herself so no one else could do things quite the same way. I barely made it through that first season — spending two hours on a roof with nothing installed is not exactly starting off on the right foot!
Over time, things have gotten easier. I’ve created diagrams and written instructions to make all those details accessible to anyone helping me. It taught me that knowledge is power, but it can also be a heavy thing when used to keep others beneath you.
I love my Nana dearly, and I’m proud to have made this business my own while honoring her memory. The thing I’m most proud of is turning her legacy into my own story — one built on sharing, growth, and lifting others up rather than holding them back.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I think the most rewarding part of what I do is getting to see all the intimate details that come together to create a successful event, gift, or design. Being even a small part of someone’s best day — or their hardest — is a privilege I take incredibly seriously.
Every aspect of what I do can be rewarding, but making my clients feel truly seen is definitely at the top. I always strive to give them the best experience and service they’ve ever received.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I have one of the most supportive husbands on the planet. With everything I do and all that I share, he’s right there cheering me on. When I post on social media, he’s always the first like and the first 25–30 shares — without fail. He’s a trooper with absolutely no shame in how much he believes in me, and he tells everyone he meets about all that I can do.
Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with my clients, and I know how important word of mouth is. I take great pride in the fact that people genuinely trust my opinions, my creativity, and my work ethic.
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