A Veteran’s Journey from IT to Floral Artistry
In every corner of the floral industry, there are stories that remind us why this work matters. For Marie, a military veteran, IT professional, and floral designer in the Nashville area, flowers are a source of healing, purpose, and connection.
After experiencing the loss of her husband, Marie found herself searching for a way to process grief and shared that “flowers became a source of healing for me.” What she discovered in flowers was not just beauty, but restoration.
With a professional background in the analytical world of IT, Marie was seeking a creative outlet. Floral design offered a balance of precision and artistry, and a place where her detail-oriented thinking was an asset. Today, she is building a home-based floral business while maintaining her full-time IT career.
Marie’s approach to growth is thoughtful and strategic. She is currently expanding her e-commerce presence and exploring accessible delivery channels like DoorDash to meet customers where they are. At the same time, she is carefully refining her product offerings to ensure they are realistic and manageable within her current capacity. Equally important is what she chooses not to pursue. Marie is intentionally focusing on meaningful, everyday arrangements that align with her mission.
At the core of Marie’s business is a deeply personal goal of providing flowers to those who need them most, especially during life’s difficult moments. She envisions a future where she can offer complimentary arrangements to families experiencing loss, individuals in hospice care, and those facing financial hardship or personal crisis.
She has already begun this work by gifting arrangements within her community and finding opportunities to reduce waste by ensuring flowers find a home.
A Call for Connection
As Marie continues to grow, she is actively seeking partnerships within the floral supply chain, particularly with growers, wholesalers, and suppliers who support drop-shipping models for e-commerce. These connections will be critical in helping her scale thoughtfully while maintaining the integrity of her business.
Why Stories Like Marie’s Matter
Marie’s journey reflects a broader truth about our industry. Flowers are not just products, they are vessels for emotion, healing, and human connection.
For CalFlowers members across the supply chain, her story highlights the growing role of e-commerce and flexible fulfillment models, the importance of mental health and sustainable business practices, the opportunity to support emerging designers through partnership and collaboration, and the enduring impact flowers have in moments that matter most.
Interested in partnering with Marie?
Contact her at Marienellist@gmail.com
Share YOUR story with us
info@cafgs.org