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

Payton, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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 you learn to do what you do? Funny story, I started by dating my Managers son before I started working at the Florist. I shortly became family as many do in the Floral Industry, but I really became family by marrying into it.
My Mother and Grand mother in law have taught me a majority of what I know now. My grand mother in law is a Texas Master Florist, which I hope to someday follow in her footsteps. I’ve taken floral classes in person, and online as well as learn hands on from other Floral Artists in the industry, while also teaching myself new things on the daily.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
For a while I worked mostly with the basics and traditional designs because that’s what I taught. I was then able to hone that craft and diversify from daily arrangements into wedding and event specialities. I feel like learning at the pace I learned at, enabled me to establish my own style. If I would have done anything differently it could have impacted my design outcome.

What skills do you think were most essential?
Being able to multi task, taking constructive criticism and being able to create someone else’s vision. Working in the Floral Industry it’s imperative to be versatile, and able to work well under pressure.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I stood in the way of myself learning more, because I cared so much about what others thought.
Floral design is an art form which makes it subjective. One way is not the “right” way, and I wish I would have learned that earlier in life.

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?

Hi! I’m Payton King. So, here’s the thing I’ve worked in the Floral Industry for all of my Adult life, and started when I was a teenager. I just happen to be the Assistant Manager/Event Coordinator at Lake Worth Florist, and I love my job.
I’m an avid book reader which comes into play in my works of art. I’m a Taurus and if you don’t know much about good old Taurus’ we’re bull headed, but extremely dependable and absolutely loyal. Obviously, I’m into star signs but I happen to love personality traits as well. I’m an Enneagram 9w1 which makes me a peace maker. I’m an introvert at heart, but that just means that I’m always observing – I don’t do small talk, but I can talk about life for hours. I’m also a dog mom of two little dachshunds, and a great pyrenees who happen to be my life. Some of my favorite things are being organized, playing the piano and getting to play with flowers.

What most people assume about being in the Floral Industry is that we just get to “Play With Flowers All Day”.
While there’s some truth behind those words, it’s far from the truth of what actually goes on behind the scenes.
Like, I said in a previous statement – I married into the Industry. I originally started working at the Florist as front desk help, but I’ve never been one to stay stagnant in a position as I’ve always seen more for myself. I would watch my Mother in law and other Floral Designers doing what they do best, and I would consistently ask questions and get involved while they were making their own creations. Just watching was never enough for me though, and I didn’t take no for an answer in order to be taught. Slowly, I started creating my own designs and I haven’t looked back since.

I brought my inspirational vision to Lake Worth Florist, and I now am the sole creator for our weddings and events.
What I bring to the table is my well faceted ability to bring my clients an all inclusive, organized event with beautiful customized creations bringing their floral dreams to life.

What sets me apart from others is my ability to work well within the means of my clients in a way that they feel like they are getting everything that they want for their event. I excel at getting to know my clients, and this often times leads to friendships built from understanding what they want and helping make that happen.

I’ve recently stepped into the Fantasy world with RMK events by Rachel. We’ve successfully created some magical events that sometimes you can only read in books. As an avid book reader myself I’ve dreamed many floral fantasies that I’m getting to create and provide to other fantasy enthusuits. I have so many ideas that will be coming to life in the next coming months, and years that I can’t wait to share with you guys.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In the Floral Industry it’s difficult to get our Clients to understand that what we do is an art form, and an actual profession. At times Florists have had to compete with grocery stores or order gatherers. Order gatherers have impacted our industry in one of the worst ways in my opinion, and I know other florist will agree. I won’t name names, but they are there as soon as you type in “Send flowers” in your local area, and they are anything but local. There’s those who want to DIY things which I think is absolutely amazing, but we’ve spent most of our lives learning the trade and it’s not as simple as just making something with no experience.
The best things that society can do to support us is to shop small and local.
Most florist are mom and pop shops who’s survival is in the hands of society.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to be able to keep creating amazing designs! I’m really excited to be apart of the Fantasy world, and to have designs that nobody else has created before. I want my clients to walk into a room and say “Wow, this is nothing like i’ve ever experienced before”.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: lakeworthflorist , Payton_haylie
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lakeworthfloristtx
• Other: https://pin.it/5CKnYVFVk

Image Credits
@ShayneJenevieve @emtywnns_photography @RawMotivephotography @Beyondthebookseventsbyrmk @Hiddengardensvenue @payton_haylie with @lakeworthflorist @Halaynetaylor @sphoto227 @bvbelord @housebree