Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Rumph.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was 16 years old when I walked into my first flower shop and handed in my resume, I had no idea what an impact that job and the owner would have on me then. So much so, we still keep in touch today and it has been so rewarding to thank her for her influence all these years later. I worked for another floral shop while in college and at 20 years old decided to move to NYC. I found myself in a few odd jobs but landed a nanny job with another influential and inspiring woman who helped guide me on my path. She was an entrepreneur and had an at-home DIY kit for taking children’s artwork and printing it onto t-shirts to mail back to the family that purchased the kits. Everything was run from her living room and she encouraged my creativity, and instilled many entrepreneurial skills- mostly a go-getter attitude and any questions that arise, we can find an answer. She was a huge inspiration in life and business. I moved home to Charleston to finish my degree and found myself working with flowers again, this time in the event world and in the container gardening realm. It truly was the best of both worlds- planting flowers around town and tending gardens throughout the week and weekends were spent doing floral design and setting up wedding flowers with some amazing and talented designers. It was during this time that I really fell in love with botanicals and floral design and found a drive to pursue it full time. I became a sponge and was happy to do any job big or small to learn. Honestly, I juggled a few jobs, mostly F&B, at the time to make florals and later garden nursery opportunities and farming opportunities a priority and still get the bills paid. The hustle was on and I’m so grateful for the skill set and work ethic instilled in me by all of the amazing women and men in the industry that I’ve had the privilege of working for along the way. Throughout my twenties, I’ve had a few start up and failed attempts at making a full time business of my passion, be it money or courage that held me back. Maybe it was the wanting to do it all mentality versus really honing my skill set at that time. Today, after all of the failed attempts and then pivots that came after Covid-19 shut the floral industry down, I really came into my own and found a way to enjoy all that I had originally set out to do- garden, grow flowers for fellow florists and continue designing with flowers for special occasions and events. Every day is different, farming flowers is where I see my future in florals and still each time I get the opportunity to design, I enjoy the process of really telling a story and portraying emotion through the beautiful bounties of flowers and plants.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all, many failed attempts before finding the stride I feel I’ve found now. Even now, being ok with making shifts, pivoting, learning and starting over are all still a part of being my own boss. Other struggles have been lack of support- I spent a lot of time convincing folks close to me that there’s something here worth being broke for while I build it up. Being practical and shy over courageous and risking it all has set me up for some missed opportunities and setbacks. Also, it took some time to value my worth and see what I enjoy doing and pursuing as more than just a side hustle to make extra money or just something I enjoyed but should just stay a hobby. I finally came to accept for myself that all those years ago, I learned a trade, I built a skill set and I have always had the drive to learn and do, it took many years to believe in myself. All of the other struggles, the ones that don’t pertain to work have been through life’s lemons and those too have had me to turn to the garden and the plants for comfort and support.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m in the trade of gardening and flower farming, I’m also a freelance floral designer. I balance the work of container gardening for restaurants around town and farming flowers on a small scale, specifically to supply to other florists and to use in some of my designs and offerings as well. Both are challenging and rewarding! If I had to sum up my design style it’s always with a nod to nature and natural form. I love designing with what I’ve grown and I lean on textures and foliage to set my designs apart. The drive to grow flowers locally, with little to no organic pesticides to in turn supply to my fellow local designers has been so rewarding and where I see my future in flowers. I’m proud to have found something that I’m both passionate about and that has the opportunity to bring much needed change to an industry that relies heavily on imported flowers that leave such a large carbon footprint. To make even a small dent in that is worth pursuing. I think what will set me apart from other growers is the strong floral design experience that I have and it gives me great insight to know the market that I’m selling to, and what florists are looking for in quality and quantity. Growing and gifting flowers have really become how I share love and joy with others in times of celebration and times of grief.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Not by money or popularity but by fulfillment and quality of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildwoodflowercharleston.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildwoodflowerdesigns/
