Inspiring Conversations with Marion Beacham of Flora Del Mar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marion Beacham.

Hi Marion, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Flora Del Mar came to life somewhat unexpectedly. A floral studio wasn’t something I had been planning or dreaming about for years—at least not consciously. But in hindsight, I can see that it had been quietly brewing in the background.

It all started when a couple of close friends got engaged, and I wanted to honor them with a lei. A white one for the bride and a traditional Hawaiian ti leaf lei for the groom—nothing too elaborate, just meaningful. But sourcing either lei turned out to be nearly impossible. Eventually, I found a shop that sold ti leaves as decorative items (not even for arrangements!) and made the leis myself.

Lei-making was something I had learned as a kid. My mom and aunt were deeply involved in the surfing world during the ’70s and ’80s, spending years between Hawaii and California. They passed along many Hawaiian values to me, one of which was the significance of making and gifting lei as a gesture of honor and love.

That small moment of frustration—paired with the overwhelming gratitude from the couple—sparked something in me. I realized I could fill a need. So I started making and selling lei on Instagram and asking local flower shops to refer me if they got any lei requests. Little by little, orders started trickling in.

At the time, I was still working full-time in creative direction and marketing, commuting 45–60 minutes a day. I had hit a ceiling in that role for many reasons, but mostly I knew I wasn’t passionate about it. I’d come home exhausted, yearning for something more fulfilling. I knew something new was on my horizon, I just didn’t know what it looked like.

I became curious about floristry more seriously, beyond lei-making. A few friends encouraged me to connect with a local event florist (@collectedwithlove), who generously let me intern with her. I was immediately hooked. Each event felt like a fresh canvas, a new vibe, a new opportunity to create something beautiful and unique. That’s when I knew I wanted to fully step into the world of event florals and create art with flowers.

I began freelancing with other florists and taking on weddings through friends and word-of-mouth. I left my office job, invested in my education, built my website, formed an LLC, and dove in. With passion and commitment, I’ve been able to turn that spark into a full-fledged business.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been manageable—with the right mindset.

When I was learning to drive, my dad used to joke that the goal was to go down a bumpy road slow enough that his belly wouldn’t jiggle. It was his funny way of telling his teenage daughter to take it easy—and that lesson has stuck with me.

In floristry, especially when working with perishable goods like flowers, uncertainty is constant. The flowers I plan to use might not be available, could get damaged in transit, or a heatwave might hit on the day of an event. These moments force me to slow down, assess my options, and get creative.

I’m also incredibly lucky to have the support of my partner and family, who have often been my unpaid staff—especially in the early days when every dollar counts. I approached the business cautiously: keeping overhead low and reinvesting profits. I knew the key areas I needed to spend on—education (because there’s always more to learn), tools, and a solid website. Everything else, I made do with what I had.

I’ve taken it slow and tried not to overcomplicate anything. So to answer the question, even though there have been some bumps in the road, it has felt smooth so far.

As you know, we’re big fans of Flora Del Mar. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Flora Del Mar, we specialize in floral design for events, with a deeply intentional and artful approach. From a young age, I have embraced my artistic spirit and flowers have since become my medium. I see each project as an art piece, an opportunity to create a sensory experience through flowers and foliage.

What sets us apart is our focus on storytelling through design. We bring our clients’ vision, vibe, and emotion to life through flowers—making each installation feel personal and immersive.

Sustainability is also at the heart of our studio. We’re proudly “foam-free,” meaning we avoid floral foam and excessive plastic. Instead, we use compostable or reusable mechanics, keeping harmful chemicals off your tables and minimizing our environmental impact. As someone who spends a lot of time in nature, especially the ocean, this commitment is deeply personal to me.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people are surprised to learn how much of my inspiration comes from the ocean. I’ve been surfing for as long as I can remember, and the sea feels like home to me.

The shapes of kelp, the movement of waves, the patterns in the sand—all of it fuels my creativity. There’s an infinite beauty and natural balance in the ocean that I try to bring into my floral work. When I’m not designing, you’ll likely find me at the beach with my dogs and surfboards.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.floradelmarstudio.com
• Instagram: @flora_del_mar_