What Happens When You Wake Up To Find Your Name In The News?

One morning in 2018, I woke to find my name as the lead story on Apple News. Over a thousand emails were flooding in daily. Journalists were trying to track down my address. International newspapers wanted interviews. I had just been announced as the florist for Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding, and while this should have felt like the pinnacle of success, I found myself having a completely unexpected realisation.

Starting From A Kitchen Table

But let me take you back a little further, because this story actually begins at my kitchen table, where I started with absolutely no formal training or industry connections. Looking back now, that lack of traditional experience – which felt so terrifying at the time – might actually have been my greatest advantage.

The Unexpected Advantage of Not Knowing The ‘Rules’

When you don’t know how things are “supposed” to be done, you’re free to follow your instincts about what feels right. While I was telling people I wanted to work with luxury brands and create designs for significant events (quite literally from my kitchen), most didn’t take me seriously. But sometimes not knowing the ‘right’ way means you find your own way – one that actually works better for you.

When Trying To Do Things The ‘Right’ Way Goes Wrong

That’s not to say it was easy. There were some really tough years, including bringing in someone senior who wasn’t right for the business. I thought I needed their industry experience, that somehow their knowledge would help us grow faster. Instead, I found myself with far too many different offerings, trying to do everything the ‘proper’ way rather than what I knew intuitively would work for our clients.

The Moment Everything Changed

Everything changed when I finally had the courage to step back and focus on what I was naturally good at. Instead of trying to fit into industry norms, I started paying attention to when work felt effortless, when clients were happiest, when everything just seemed to flow.

What I Discovered About My Real Strengths

What I discovered was that my strength wasn’t just in flower design – it was in really understanding what clients needed, often before they could articulate it themselves. This deep understanding became particularly important when working with high-profile clients like Harry and Meghan. Instead of getting caught up in industry expectations, I focused on really understanding what they wanted and needed.

A Royal Wedding… And An Unexpected Lesson

The actual experience of creating the wedding flowers was incredible – I loved every single minute of the design work and particularly those top-secret planning stages. But what happened next taught me something completely unexpected about success and what really matters in business.

The Surprising Shift

After the wedding, an interesting shift occurred. Florists from all over the world started reaching out, wanting to learn more about our approach. We opened a flower school in response, but during one particular course, something fascinating happened – the students started asking more questions about business than flowers. They wanted to know how we’d built the business, how we worked with clients, how we priced our work.

When Your Pivot Finds You

That moment was a catalyst. More and more creative business owners began asking for help building sustainable, profitable businesses. Yes, there was an interest in flowers, but there was a deeper interest in understanding how to build businesses around natural strengths.

The Courage To Follow A New Path

Sometimes the most perfect pivots happen when you follow what truly lights you up, even if it means leaving behind what you’re known for. It wasn’t an easy decision to step away from flowers completely, especially after reaching what many would consider the pinnacle of the industry. But I knew with absolute certainty that my energy and excitement now lay in helping other creative business owners build businesses they truly love.

Finding Your Own Path: Practical Steps To Take

If you find yourself wondering whether your business truly aligns with your natural strengths, here are a few gentle suggestions:

Start by noticing when work feels effortless – those moments when you’re so absorbed that you lose track of time. These aren’t just ‘good days’ – they’re valuable clues about your natural strengths.

Pay attention to what consistently receives positive feedback, even things you might take for granted. Those elements clients always thank you for, the ones you might think are ‘just basic’? That’s often where your real value lies.

Notice when you feel energised rather than drained. Which projects make you want to dive straight in? Which client conversations leave you feeling excited? These moments aren’t just about enjoyment – they’re indicators of where you could potentially develop your business further.

Moving Forward With Intention

Remember, this isn’t about making dramatic overnight changes. It’s about gathering these insights and thoughtfully considering how you might align your business more closely with your natural strengths over time.

If you’d love to share your thoughts about today’s post or you have any questions at all, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below or over on Instagram. Perhaps you’ve had your own experience of success looking different than you imagined, or maybe you’re starting to feel a pull in a new direction. I read and reply to every message.