Meet Emily Phillips | Floral Designer for Weddings and Events

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

Hi Emily, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It was not so much a thought process that led to the start of Emily Kaye Floral Atelier, a couture floral design studio for weddings and destination events, as much as it was a journey of experiences that culminated in its creation. Although I’ve never shied away from moving an idea into reality, I am not sure I ever thought to myself “I want to own my own business.” My initial confusion, and perhaps ignorance, at how I should apply my love for beauty and my drive to create in a sometimes bland and often career obsessed society led me on a meandering walk where hesitant steps suddenly turned into purposeful strides.
I have always known that creating with my hands and designing with my head were gifts that I possessed, but it took years of trying manny things—studying art, painting, a corporate office job, living abroad, marketing for an art gallery, and working in a florist shop—to gain the experience and awareness that I needed to realize that I wanted to design floral experiences for events. The decision to start my own studio rather than join an established one arose from the circumstances of my location at the time and the needs of our growing family. The path I’m on with Emily Kaye Floral Atelier still holds some turns with yet unknown terrain beyond, but there is a sureness in my step that propels me forward with eagerness and pleasure in the journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of the unique things about my floral studio is that I am an artist who has found my preferred medium in flowers and other textural and organic materials. I love the creative process so much! But the other unique twist is that I also love the business side of things. It is common for artists to not know how to manage, promote or sell their work but I actually get excited about all of the brainy and mundane aspects of running a studio. It was not difficult to get to where I am today in the sense that I followed the organic path laid before me, one thing leading to another. The most difficult part was simply starting. Once I realized what I wanted to do, it took an incredible amount of determination and persistence to do the tedious work of registering and announcing the studio. It took months for me just to decide the name and then I ended up changing it to Emily Kaye Floral Atelier after a year anyway. Once I had those initial ducks in a row, it took showing up and doing the next thing. You can’t let the fear of being perfect delay your progress. Just do it.

I used to feel discouraged by Forbes 30 under 30 list, wishing I’d had a more direct path to success. What they should do is have a list of 50 over 50 for all of the people who became entrepreneurs and leaders later in life. I’ve learned to love the path that has led me to where I am today because the reality of it is, that I could not be here without those other seemingly roundabout experiences.

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?
I absolutely LOVE thrift and consignment shopping in Dallas. Whenever my mom and I are together, we pop into at least one of our favorite spots and between the two of us Dallasites, we know quite a few—some favorites being Thrift World (requires lots of digging for a good find but I once left with a brand new pair of YSL sandals for $20 that are DIVINE) and Clotheshorse Anonymous (a much more bougie experience with higher price tags but unique finds). Other favorite Dallas spots include walking the pedestrian side of the Margaret Hunt Bridge or hanging out at Clyde Warren Park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who deserve a shoutout for the support, mentorship or encouragement they’ve shown me but I think I need to dedicate this to most important encourager in my life—my husband Paul.

Website: www.emilykayefloral.com

Instagram: @emilykayefloral

Facebook: Emilykayefloral

Image Credits
Amy Odom Photography Abigail Lewis Photography Shauna and Jordon Photography Michela Watson Photography