Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Maldonado.
Hi Meghan, 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?
I am a “legacy” floral artisan. I learned from my favorite Aunt when I was 14. I started working at a local retail floral shop at 18. I started my “side hustle” doing flowers for friends and family- all the while taking all prerequisite courses and working in the dental field.
In 2010, I realized what made me happy was being an artist. I opened my own private studio and never looked back.
Now I specialize in event floral design where I mainly make arrangements for weddings.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
What road is ever truly smooth? I faked it- till I made it. I think the main thing is just rolling with the unexpected bumps, laughing at your mistakes and figuring out a way to get over the “potholes”! But for a more detailed answer- as an artisan that works primarily in special events- the biggest problem was getting quality leads. People that actually wanted to pay you for all the hard work you are doing.
A lot of times- people think- flowers- that’s easy- I can do them myself… my answer to that now is: good luck with that buddy! But when starting out – I took what I could get. If I never use baby’s breath, lace and or pearls again, I will be more than okay with that!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what I am most proud of is establishing my own brand. I have a look- and I don’t just do what’s popular or what’s trending- I can… but I chose to design florals in a way that I feel is always going to be tasteful, which is: just showcasing the blooms I am using for what they are. Flowers are beautiful all by themselves – my style is to highlight that. I use the blooms that I love most and arrange them so they have movement. I like my flowers to be able to breath. I’m not just shoving the largest amount possible into a vase. Each bloom I use is intentional. Each stem has its own purpose.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The industry is constantly changing. I think the biggest change was the life and death of companies similar to 1800 flowers and FTD. Companies like that took the artistry out of floral design and made floral design more cookie-cutter, something easily replicated and not uniquely special. Which is ironic because that’s what companies like that used as their marking slogan- “for that special someone” but yet, you were giving a design that was picked from a Catalog/ Recipe. It’s wasn’t art.
Now, those types of companies are not so prevalent, but there are a lot of internet companies that you can send flowers direct from farms and growers and I think that’s just another example of making the art of giving flowers- impersonal. It’s like buying them from the grocery store or from the guy slinging them off the freeway.
It’s convenient and fast. It’s not special by any means. I hope that in the coming years, you see local floral studios coming back to retail, but sadly I think it’s true today and it will be true in ten years – ” video killed the radio star.”
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Flowersbymaemae.com
- Instagram: @flowersbymaemae
Image Credits:
Photos taken by Crystal Maldonado
