We recently connected with Samone Dowdy and have shared our conversation below.

Samone, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Honestly, Gleam started the way a lot of big ideas do—with a spark of passion and a little bit of obsession. I had this deep desire to do more creative, hands-on work, and flowers just kept calling to me. Once I took a few floral design classes and modules, I was hooked. I loved the craft, but even more than that, I loved the idea of bringing people together to create shared memories around something beautiful.

From there, it snowballed. I couldn’t stop talking about it—I probably drove my friends and family crazy with all the “what ifs” and “I could try this!” moments. I didn’t know the exact direction right away, but I had this gut feeling that people would love crafting and connecting through blooms just as much as I did.

The early steps were all about research, personal growth, and, honestly, facing a lot of fears. I had to network, test ideas, and not be afraid to fail. My background in accounting turned out to be a secret superpower—it reminded me that with a perishable product like flowers, every decision has to be made carefully and mindfully. I spent a lot of time figuring out the details: how long flowers last, how to transport them, what people were actually asking for, how to structure a class so it flowed smoothly, and how to get the word out while building systems behind the scenes.

It wasn’t overnight—it was discipline, trial and error, and learning when to say no so things could grow at a steady, healthy pace. But brick by brick, the foundation got stronger. Now, just over a year in, Gleam Design Co. has facilitated floral fun across Charlotte through workshops, flower bars, and events—and I couldn’t be happier with the support we’ve received.

At the end of the day, it’s still about the same spark I had at the beginning: using creativity to connect people, make memories, and remind them how much joy there is in blooms

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always been a fun-loving, free-spirited, “flower child,” so working with blooms and creating joyful experiences just kind of happened naturally. I spent nearly 20 years in accounting, but I realized I was craving more creativity, purpose, and a healthier, more inspiring work environment. That’s when I started exploring floral design—and I instantly fell in love.

After the pandemic, I saw just how important connection and closeness had become for so many people. Bringing people together through flowers—whether in classes, events, or hands-on experiences—felt like the perfect way to meet that need. Our workshops are designed to connect people in an inclusive, fun, and relaxed environment, giving them a space to enjoy themselves while creating something beautiful.

I’m proud of the community we’ve built in Charlotte and the way our events bring people together. We’re quickly becoming the go-to spot in Charlotte for “floral fun,” with a unique vibe that’s unlike anything else. We provide interactive floral classes for both public and private events, flower bar rentals paired with events, and next year we’re expanding to new locations and offerings—all still centered around feel-good, joyful floral experiences.

At the heart of what we do is this: we’re about connection, creativity, and fun—and we want everyone who joins us to leave feeling inspired, uplifted, and maybe even a little more in love with flowers than they were before!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding the business has honestly been the scariest part! I bootstrapped Gleam Design Co., putting the initial investment entirely out of my own pocket. It required a lot of self-belief and trust in my vision—but I was careful not to invest more than I could afford to lose. It was a balancing act between taking a leap of faith and being responsible, and it taught me so much about confidence, risk, and commitment to my dreams.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best sources of new clients for us have been a mix of Google, Instagram, and word of mouth. Each has played an important role—Google helps people find us when they’re searching for floral events or flower bars, Instagram lets us show our personality and the fun vibe of our classes, and word of mouth has been incredible because people love sharing the experience with their friends and family. Together, these channels have really helped us grow our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gleamdesignco.com
• Instagram: @gleam.clt
• Facebook: Gleam Design Co.
• Yelp: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGfx5smRqyI/

Image Credits

Morgan Masson