Meet Michelle Samayoa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Samayoa.

Hi Michelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m very much motivated by the beautiful things in life. I started pressing flowers to preserve their beauty forever. When I used them to decorate my own photos, my friends asked me to start selling frames that decorated their photos with pressed flowers too. And so Petal Prints was started! Every customer submits a photo and a story that goes along with their photo.

Based on their stories, I choose flowers whose symbolic meaning correlates with their stories. For example, if someone submits a photo of a passed loved one, I would maybe choose to use Sea Lavender, which symbolizes remembrance, success, sympathy and beauty. I grew rapidly on social media and sell out every time I restock, which has been a blessing throughout the pandemic. I started my business in April of 2020 on Etsy and now have my own website! I’m currently working on many more pressed flower products.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With the help of social media and friends, I luckily have not had trouble making sales. The most I struggled with was the technicalities of it all – business licenses, seller permits, tax certificates, registering business names – I’m still trying to figure it all out! Another struggle was time management. I am still working from home from 2 jobs, so it was difficult for me to estimate how many orders I could make. Everything is handmade, including the frames themselves. It took me a while to understand how long my process takes and what was an appropriate amount of orders to take in per week. Luckily I figured it out!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am known on social media for the art of pressing flowers. I am most proud of the idea of simply using the flowers to decorate other people’s photos. When I first started pressing flowers, there were so many pressed flower artists! To stand out, I print the photos they submit into polaroids and decorate them with the pressed flowers. I had never seen it done before and was so excited to start! Another thing that sets me apart and is the most important to me is that I take the symbolism and meanings of the flowers into account. Historically, flowers were used to send messages to others using the language of flowers. I am very proud to incorporate that into my work!

What are your plans for the future?
I plan to continue this business to support me as I continue with my work as a Child Development Specialist and pursue my Master’s in Counseling Psychology to get that MFT license. I have so many ideas for future products, such as pressed flower journals and tote bags, but it is difficult to work on them because I continue to gratefully receive plenty of orders!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: MiniPetalPrints.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minipetalprints/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@minipetalprints