Haleigh Kenney | Floral Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Haleigh Kenney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Haleigh, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After 10 years of working numerous jobs for other people, I came to the conclusion that the only thing that would support the goals I had for the future I wanted would be by starting my own business. I always knew I wanted a family, and I wanted a career that would support that and allow me the flexibility of creating my own schedule and my own terms.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Designing flowers never gets old to me. As a wedding florist, I genuinely get excited about my designs and executing them. All winter I dream about color theory and varieties like: sweet peas, ranunculus, clematis, peonies and farm grown poppies. All spring I dream about ways to keep all white weddings exciting and luxurious. I think that’s what sets my aesthetic apart. I am always looking for ways to keep things different and fresh. Whether it’s a new vessel, or an unexpected installation.. I’m never not thinking about how to make something extra special.

It feels like it has taken a lifetime to get where we are and it feels like days all at the same time. Since we book a year in advance, I’m always looking ahead months at a time. Something I attribute my success to ( and have been doing since 2014), is after every single event I scroll through images on my phone and I ask myself “what would you do better next time?” 99.9% of the time there is something. It may be something as minimal as one stem out of place.. it doesn’t matter how small, or big for that matter, it is; I take a mental note of those one or two things and then I do them better the next time. I never stop learning or trying to be better.

I want the world to know that what we do as event florists is so much more than what you see online. There are so many sacrifices and hours of work behind the scenes that never get documented or talked about. There are real investments that have to be made to produce the kind of work we do. There are real pressures and responsibilities on top of taking care of our people and families. I wouldn’t have it any other way, but I just think it’s important to show that the glamour of playing with beautiful flowers is only a fraction of what we actually do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A few of my favorite Edmond spots: Lavender lattes @ Ellis Island
Lunch @ Cafe 501
Shop @ Shop Edit Co.
Read @ Commonplace Books
Italian Dinner @ Sparrow
Steak Dinner @ Boulevard Cafe
Sushi @ Cafe Icon
Worship @ Life Church

OKC spots:
Brunch @ Bradford House
Relax @ Mokari Spa
Eat @ Barrios
More lavender lattes @ Stitch Cafe
Eat/Drink/Be Merry @ Jones Assembly
Shop @ Black Sheep Boutique
Self Care @ The Treatment Room
Browse @ Full Circle Book Store

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I feel so incredibly thankful that there are so many people that have inspired what I do, encouraged my work, and supported my dreams. But there’s no doubt that this shoutout has to go to my husband, Carlos. He’s my biggest fan and I truly wouldn’t have had the guts to start this business without him. We celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary this year & it’s no coincidence that XO will enter it’s 10 year as well. From building the 12×16 backyard she-shed I started in, to making sure our kids never feel the void of me working every weekend April-June, to even stepping in to design in a pinch… there is truly nothing he wouldn’t do for me, our family or my business.

Website: https://www.xobyhaleighkenney.com

Instagram: @xohaleighkenney

Image Credits
Ely Fair Photography- took my head shot and two of the other photos I uploaded, KGC Photography, Emily Nicole Photography, Holly Felts Photography, Kelsey Lanae Photography, Aaron Snow Photography