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

Teri, appreciate you joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

The idea came from 2 things colliding…..my absolute love of flowers from a very young age and helping my Mom and Sister with their wedding rentals and decor business as a kid. Fast forward 30 years, I’ve raised my two girls, was facing an empty nest, and asking myself, “what do I know how to do?” I knew flowers and parties. I started with making corsages for my girls for dances. Then I found myself making them for their friends. The most frightening part was creating that Instagram account and posting for the first time. My oldest daughter and I began setting up photo shoots in my backyard and using the images for content. Then boom! I booked my first wedding. The last 12 years have flown by because I love every minute of what I’m doing!

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

My name is Teri Shackelford and I own Mansion and Marsh floral and event design. I am a native of Northern Louisiana where the flowers grow abundant and lush , especially my favorite, Gardenia. Also, where my connection to flowers and nature began. I am married to Sam and have two daughters. One of which lives in Nashville and married in April. At Mansion and Marsh we provide Wedding and Event florals , decor, and styling services. We have rental items such as vases, candle sticks, vintage China, Goblets and you know it, disco balls to enhance your vision. We look at the event as a whole and assist you in your floral /rental choices, according to the aesthetic that you connect with. We are always ready to try something new and walk you through making your event unique and reflective of who you are. We love a challenge.

If I had to describe my aesthetic, I would say wild and honoring nature. I feel such a strong connection to the outside world and find my best inspiration there. I love organic, unruly designs the most. No complete symmetry necessary.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Living with a left brained , medical field partner for 36 years led me to ask him what has been hard for him to understand about me. This was was his answer…….”At first I didn’t understand your need to enter the Floral Industry. Then I realized that you were already finding outlets to use your gift. It is a drive that you have. I saw that financial gain was a part of your motivation but not the primary one. “ It’s so true that money is definitely not the main payoff that I receive from floral and event design. It’s getting to work in tandem with Nature, the teamwork with my staff, the challenge of it and also the engineering aspect to many of the designs.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The pivot was going from being a 20 year stay at home Mom to starting my own business. Fear was was a huge hurdle for me to jump. I had been safely tucked away all cozy at home after working briefly upon graduating college in Nashville. Social Media had appeared and it was necessary to grow a business. Especially, selling to the 20-30 age group. My 2 daughters got me started and although, it’s not my forte, I’m able to maintain an Instagram presence to engage with my target market. The social media has been my biggest challenge. I have hired companies to manage it in the past but my small but engaged following could tell it wasn’t me and I lost followers. After all the worry, questioning and reluctance to put myself out there , I just closed my eyes and jumped. And I’m so happy that I went for it. The floral and event business has been the only thing in my life that I KNEW I could do. No question, no doubt. My challenge was taking my love of wild , natural floral design and monetizing it.

Contact Info:

• Website: Mansionandmarsh.com
• Instagram: @mansionandmarsh
• Facebook: Mansion and Marsh

Image Credits
@laklinbrookephotography @kelliemuellerphotography @abrahamrowephotography @abbybekah