004. Letting Passion Lead with Dana Maize
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Today I'm chatting with the kindest and most talented woman I have the honor of knowing (and branding!). That's right, I'm talking about my friend and expert floral designer - Dana Maize!
Dana is the owner of Nashville's One Wild Flower Designs, and she specializes in creating wedding and event florals that will blow your mind! In fact, I am such a fan of her work that I brought her on to design all the florals for my wedding last year, and boy did she deliver!
Dana's heart blooms through every aspect of One Wild Flower. Whether it's committing to a tiny detail or embracing a giant installation, her passion is on display as she offers every client a memorable design and connection.
I could go on and on about the beauty of her work, but today I want to bring you in on the brains behind her business. In this episode, Dana shares her start-up story and how sometimes slow and steady can sometimes be more rewarding than the hustle. We talk about her love of foraging and how her passion for florals is deeply connected to her love of people. And we discuss trust in business, from choosing your community to choosing your boundaries, and how that can make or break your business success.
Every second of this interview made me smile, and it really is such a joy to introduce you to this creative business owner and friend! I know you're going to be so encouraged by her passion and warmth!
Meet Dana.
Dana Maize, the owner of One Wild Flower Designs, is a wedding and event florist based just south of Nashville, Tennessee. She incorporates her love of nature and organic beauty into her work, creating an atmosphere in which flowers are happy and free to play with one another.
After completing floral design school and working in various flower shops, Dana eventually found her niche among the excitement and romance of the wedding industry. Her favorite moment is presenting the bride with her bouquet, especially if it makes her cry. But only a few tears... because makeup.
When she is not flowering weddings, you can find her hiking with her dog Snickers, spending time with her kids, or setting off on a travel adventure of any size.
“The more we can let down our guard and don’t feel like we’re competing, the more we can actually grow because we’re helping each other.”
The heart behind her business.
Dana believes that choosing florals should be a seamless, personal, and joyful experience! Her wild-inspired designs allow her clients to venture away from traditional floral arrangements and add their own particular style and flair to a wedding day or event.
When it comes to floral design, Dana’s heart is to go above and beyond in every aspect of her business. She knows the power behind a beautiful visual and feels that every arrangement or display is an imprint on your memory. Her greatest joy is hearing how seeing a flower she incorporated into an event reminds the client of that special day. Her passion for the work shines through every piece of the planning and execution process, so all of those memories are filled with so much beauty and heart!
The power of trust.
Trust is a key topic we dig into during this discussion. From trusting a business partner or employee, to trusting yourself and your work ethic — it all matters. It’s all a big secret to your business success.
Dana shares her story of learning to trust herself and how she’s become pretty good at boundaries and investing in herself. She’s learned to trust the process of business ownership and knows that if she puts in the work and invests in the education, it will fuel her passion.
Dana’s also learned to trust the community around her. She talks about how she learned to surround herself with the right people, and what that’s done to transform her business. By staying a bit “choosy” and ensuring her tight circle was filled with people that encouraged and challenged her, she’s been on a steady path of growth.
Slow and steady wins the race.
I loved how Dana was open about the process that led her into business ownership. From foraging in backyards to years of specialized education, she took her time growing and learning. She’s not against the hustle mentality, per se, but she does find value in the slow and steady work ethic.
She makes a point to remind us all that age is not a factor when it comes to doing something you love. If you’re passionate about a creative venture or seeking a certain job position, don’t let age hold you back! It’s never too late to start something new, learn something new, or become something new!
Best Advice to your younger self.
Trust the process and do everything you can in the meantime to grow. Sign up for webinars, take classes, binge Youtube videos, listen to podcasts! Do whatever you can to educate yourself in your industry and just trust the timing. When doors open, march through them knowing you’ve prepared for this moment and it’s YOUR TIME!
“It doesn’t matter the level of exhaustion, I’ve never said I don’t want to do this anymore. I guess that’s what happens when you find something you love.”
Connect with Dana.
So how does Dana continue to fuel her passion and maintain healthy business boundaries? How did she create a quality community and learn to trust her team? I know her words of will encourage you this week! Press play to listen to the full interview and hear more about letting passion lead as you trust the process with Dana Maize!
Connect with Dana and check out the links mentioned in the episode below!
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