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

Sarah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

The idea of offering an alternative to fresh flowers is not something I can claim as my own, as it has been explored by many creative individuals. However, what sets each artist apart is their unique style and approach. In my case, my inspiration for venturing into the world of alternative flowers stems from a personal experience.

As someone who is allergic to fresh flowers, I have always been surrounded by alternative floral options. I have had a bouquet of grass roses from Charleston, SC, that I purchased as a young child, and it has remained unchanged for nearly 25 years. This enduring beauty served as the catalyst for my business idea.

Seeing the longevity and timeless appeal of that bouquet, I became frustrated with the prevalence of cheap-looking silk flowers in the market. This dissatisfaction fueled my desire to create the most realistic and visually stunning faux flowers possible. I wanted to offer customers an alternative that not only matched the beauty of fresh flowers but also lasted for years without losing its charm, appearance, or colors.

With this vision in mind, I embarked on my journey to create impeccable, lifelike faux floral designs that deceive the eye and bring joy to those who appreciate the beauty of nature.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Petals & Bark is an alternative florist located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offering a unique approach to floral design. Our expertise lies in creating exquisite arrangements using luxurious materials such as wood, silk, faux, preserved, and dried flowers. What sets us apart is our dedication to customization, ensuring that each creation reflects your preferred colors and style, resulting in realistic and timeless keepsakes. We offer a personalized one-on-one premium design experience to bring your floral vision to life. Whether you’re planning a grand wedding, an intimate elopement, seeking captivating home decor piece, or looking for a thoughtful succulent gift for a co-worker or friend, we have flowers for every occasion.

Our inspiration comes from nature itself, and our artistic style aims to deceive the eye while providing long-lasting beauty of everlasting faux floral designs with an elegant feel. Each handcrafted petal and carefully arranged bouquet brings the beauty of the outdoors into living spaces. Our floral designs, whether at events or in homes, evoke a sense of tranquility, warmth, and admiration for the environment. Unlike fresh flowers, our flowers are remarkably low maintenance, lightweight, and require no water. They are designed to last for years, allowing you to enjoy their beauty for a lifetime. Even after a wedding or event, we can repurpose them into stunning floral picture frames, monograms, centerpieces, or other imaginative designs, adding further value and sentimentality to our creations.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most fulfilling aspect of being an artist or creative is the unlimited design opportunities it offers. Every day presents a personal challenge to create something unique, ensuring that no two designs are ever the same. The ability to experiment with colors, techniques, and styles is very exciting. Pushing the boundaries and defying expectations is a constant goal of mine, and I take pride in striving to create floral arrangements that even fool the bees!

However, the ultimate reward comes when I present the final product to a client. Witnessing their face light up or seeing their excitement manifest through jumping up and down is an incredible rush. The surge of dopamine and joy that accompanies that moment is an indescribable feeling. Knowing that I have created an arrangement that the client will cherish for years to come is immensely rewarding.

I love hearing stories from clients, even years later, about how they still treasure their bridal bouquet displayed in their dining room or how a simple succulent brightens their day at the office. It’s the little things that leave the most significant impact and bring me immense joy as an artist.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One significant instance where I had to pivot in my business was early on in my entrepreneurial journey. Initially, I focused primarily on creating custom animal arrangements and home décor. However, within the first year of being in business, I had a realization that my true passion was in weddings floral design. I made the bold decision to completely rebrand my business.

Over the course of six months, I embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of my business aesthetic, starting with a new name and redesigning my website to reflect my new direction and focus on wedding floral designs. I immersed myself in learning and mastering the intricacies of creating stunning wedding arrangements, studying the latest trends, and expanding my network within the wedding industry.

The decision to pivot and rebrand turned out to be the best decision I ever made for my business. By aligning my passion with my offerings, I attracted a new clientele and gained recognition as a wedding florist. The pivot not only brought me immense joy and fulfillment in my work, but it also opened doors to new opportunities and allowed me to thrive in the industry.

In hindsight, I am grateful for having the courage and insight to make such a significant change in my business. It taught me the importance of listening to my instincts, recognizing my true passions, and being willing to adapt and evolve. This experience has been instrumental in shaping the success and growth of my business. We are actively evolving and expanding our reach by introducing nationwide shipping services and are excited to announce the upcoming launch of our online store, featuring a wide range of ready-made designs.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.petalsandbark.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/petalsandbarkdesigns
• Facebook: facebook.com/petalsandbark
• Other: tiktok.com/petalsandbark pinterest.com/petalsandbark

Image Credits
Nelya Photography Ivy Breanne Photography Garden Photography Yellow Horse Photography Lindsey Chapman Photography Danielle Christine Photography Photos By Savannah Christan Cooper Photo