Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Ledezma.
Kelsey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Mobile Vulgaris inception really began in 2015 before I even knew it. I was working in post-production sound and incredibly unhappy with it. In need of something completely different, I took up gardening. It started small but eventually got bigger and bigger until my back yard was covered in plots and plants. At first, I thought it was just the stark difference that felt so good, being outside in the sun with the wind and birds rather than a dark, sound proof studio. The longer I did it though the more I realized how much actually being in the earth grounded me (forgive the pun). I could feel years of pent up energy go from me to the earth, to the plants and flowers I grew. They used that energy far better than I ever could and daily watering and pruning became a ritual that kept me centered.
When I began gardening it was my dream to grow buckets and buckets of flowers. I wanted something to create with, something I could bring into my home at a moments notice. Like all good things it took time but it happened. It was my own spiritual playground so to speak, when things were great I would go out there, grab a handful of flowers and celebrate and when things weren’t I would go out there, grab a handful of flowers and find comfort. I didn’t know when I started that my garden would serve as this place that would calm me and excite me all at once but it was and as my flowers grew my awe for them did too. I found myself arranging more and more, designing in a way that I felt honored mother nature and fit my personal style. I’d joke to my friends and family that I just wanted to quit my job and be left alone to play with flowers.
A year later, a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was 26 years old. My garden held me a lot that year. The technicalities of our friendship aren’t really that important as I believe intention outweighs time any day of the week, but we had both and it’s important to note that her and I had been down this road 16 years before, with my own cancer diagnosis. Since the day we met, I believe Mother Nature had wanted us to be there for each other. When you’re hit with a cancer diagnosis, no matter the age, the journey truly never really ends. Through it all, Michelle stuck by my side and continued to be a major source of inspiration and motivation for me. She has been light in some of my darkest times and she’s always been there to encourage me to try things I wouldn’t have otherwise. When she suddenly died in March of 2018, I was blindsided and heartbroken. I had thought if this ever happened the world would slow down, that there would be some kind of time, but instead it felt like the opposite like time had sped up and things had to change. I felt sad and angry and guilty and grateful and confused all at once but I knew I couldn’t waste anymore time and I had to commit myself to doing the things that fed my soul, she would have wanted that.
In the days that followed, I found Mobile Vulgaris with the intention of building a floral design studio that creates the spaces we dream of, the worlds that don’t really exist. A place where flower recipes are felt not measured and where every piece is hand-selected to create the highest vibrations possible.
Has it been a smooth road?
The struggle has absolutely been real. From regular struggles like finances to more personal problems, it’s definitely not been the smoothest of roads and by no means are those bumps over, but they are getting easier. As I mentioned before, I went through chemotherapy and while I’m cancer-free, treatment left me paralyzed from the waist down. Navigating the world from a seated position has of course had its hard times in all aspects but definitely when it comes to the physical logistics of running my business. In the floral world, there is a ton of picking up and dropping off of huge loads, being able to just get myself and an order from point a to point b has been difficult. I need both hands to get myself around and something needs to carry the orders but I can say that I’ve been extremely fortunate when it comes to building a team that not only understands my vision and is amazing at execution but also understands how I need help and is frankly two steps ahead of me when I need it.
One of the other big challenges has really been silencing that inner critic. Like most creatives, floral design is no different, we’re all our own worst enemy. Leaving sites wondering “did they really like it?”, “were they just saying that?”, “could I have done this differently..better?”. Over the years, I’ve had to learn to block out that kind of thinking. Now that’s not to say that I don’t learn or find inspiration for another project while I’m working but I’ve found a way to stop the questions, to trust my instinct and style. I’ve learned how important it is to be extremely transparent with my clients, keeping communication as open as possible so that I not only fully grasp their wants, needs and expectations but far exceed them as well. It has certainly taken some time to feel the confidence to take a few creative liberties but I’m finally there and I’ve found its always a good idea to have a “trick” or two up your sleeve that surprises the client in a way that elevates the entire project.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Mobile Vulgaris is a boutique floral design studio where I specialize in custom pieces and dreamscapes for weddings, events, and intimate affairs. I have always gravitated towards the darker side of things and that definitely shows up in my work. My arrangements have a gothic and moody feel that reflect the magic of Mother Nature. I not only use color to tell my clients story but pay close attention to shape, scent and texture and I love using uncommon floral elements that enhance the piece and cause a bit of wonderment. One of the biggest things that sets Mobile Vulgaris apart from others is our dedication to creativity. There are no recipes here, no rinse and repeat, everything is one of a kind. I have this belief that every creation made should be special, wild, and beautiful.
Another thing that sets Mobile Vulgaris apart from others is actually also the thing I am most proud of. It’s always been a dream of mine to give back to the cancer community that has been there for me in my times of need. Through Mobile Vulgaris, I have gotten to work with that community and more specifically a foundation very near and dear to my heart, the Cancer Warrior Foundation. I was introduced to this foundation by Michelle, she called me up one day and told me I needed to go with her to one of their meetings, so I did. What I found there was an incredible group of women who were and are some of the most inspiring women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Since then, I have gotten to work with and collaborate with some of them and it has never been anything short of amazing. My hope is to continue working with these magnificent women and to expand this part of my business as much as possible, the motivation they supply just by being themselves and their ability to not just understand but truly feel where so much of my desire comes from is completely unmatched by anything else.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like our city is definitely be a great place to start a business like mine and I would recommend it. The one tip of advice I’d give anyone starting any kind of business in LA is to know where your market is and be willing to go the distance, literally. I learned early on that where I live now is not necessarily a place that lines up with my vision, at least not yet, and that’s okay. I found that I needed to adjust my focus to the places in LA that celebrate and support the kind of business I have. For me, that means being able and willing to travel all over LA, whether it be for simple meetings with clients or actual events. Now, this isn’t to say you won’t find those that support you in the area you live in, some of my best clients are from my area, but if we’re talking quantity, which is important in any business, it can and will definitely take time and research. I believe our city is improving every day on this front, but like anything it takes time for areas to catch up, so while we’re waiting its important to not become discouraged and to remember to give every avenue a chance.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mobile-vulgaris.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobile_vulgaris/
Image Credit:
Christine Casillas; Marlena Miller
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