Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana Eason.
Hi Ayana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I relocated to Dallas in 2023 to start an IT/Sales position in the Telecommunications industry. I was very optimistic for this next chapter in my life. However, my professional aspirations shortly changed not long thereafter because my workplace undervalued my passion and dedication. That’s when I decided that seeking validation will keep you trapped. You don’t need anyone or anything to approve of your worth. When you truly understand this, you’ll be free to walk in your destiny and embrace all your gifts. I have a gift for innovation and creativity. I just had to realize my own worth, and that’s a light that can’t be dimmed. In a garden of opportunity, I just knew I was born to flourish. I have not had the smoothest journey through life, although I’ve always kept my spirits high and have never let my past define me. Summer of 2023 was around the time I started giving myself grace. Grace, for how far I’ve come, I hope that there are better days. Life’s so fast sometimes we get caught in the moment, neglect our inner peace, and forget the joy in things. I’ve always arranged nice, personalized gifts and flower bouquets for my loved one’s special occasions. I’ve always said, “It’s all about presentation!” Now, you can find me snapping content every chance I get. Funny how the universe works! I started making flower arrangements just for my own self-gratification. Then family and friends began sliding up when I’d post on my IG story complimenting and inquiring about my work. ABF originates from seeing beauty within. I’m Ayana, Company Founder and Creative Designer for ABF, ‘A.Beautiful Flwr’, which is named to honor all persons who have helped to blossom my adolescence journey to adult life. The name Ayana is of Swahili origin and means “beautiful flower”. It’s a feminine name that shares its roots with Japanese cultures, translating to “colorful” or “pretty flower.” So, Ayana and ‘A.Beautiful Flwr’ is like a delicate and elegant bloom, capturing the essence of natural beauty to share with others.
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?
Just when I thought I was about to start my IT career, my God had bigger plans. Starting a business in a new city as a young entrepreneur is never easy. You must embrace being uncomfortable to get comfortable. No one truly highlights the grunt work of entrepreneurship. Having to really put yourself out there, networking and finding your own audience is an adjustment. The long nights spent working or days, when no orders come, are all a part of the journey. I owned and operated a retail boutique in Nashville, Tennessee, for a few years prior to the 2022 pandemic. I later decided my path to success was beyond my corporate career, so alternatively, I chose to dedicate full-time support to the visions and goals of ABF. Believing and betting on myself has brought me to where I am today, fostered by crossing difficulties with confidence and just never giving up. Opportunities will come and go but to achieve something, you may have to cross many hurdles. I’m motivated to keep going while remembering consistency is key. The power of daily learning is very important. I’ve taken multiple floral classes and a master course. The journey of success starts within and requires frequent deposits with continuous investments. I never cease to amaze me!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
ABF specializes in custom and freestyle flower bouquets and arrangements. We enjoy creating event decor and floral designs for any occasion. Curating a bouquet just brings me so much peace and solace. I take pride in the hard work and customer service that we offer. We offer a few extra special touches with each bouquet, that extra razzle dazzle that everyone looks for but doesn’t expect. From providing a wide range of floral arts offering a variety of choices from arrays of colors, occasions, or customized preferences, ABF continues to exceed customer expectations. We love new custom order requests – it sparks an adrenaline rush for the team! Staying innovative keeps you in the race. I’m a former NCAA D1 track and field athlete who has competed in several competitions and championships since the age of 11 years old. Running a business is a lot like running track. The similarities between starting and growing a business and training and completing a race are plentiful. They both require planning, discipline, and effort, and both possess a probability of a loss. Nelson Mandela may have said it best: “I never lose. I either win or learn.”
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Our propensity to avoid risk when we can is built into most life processes – don’t cross the road without looking, don’t invest all your savings in that new business. Most people like to make decisions after calculating all the risk factors. I think life would be very boring if no one ever took risks; life is short. Working day in and day out in an industry that sucks your mental wellbeing and makes you consider hitting snooze permanently on your alarm every morning is not fun either. Whether it’s completing a training plan or building a business, the only way to succeed is to put in the work. There are very few things you can do to substitute for hard work; maybe luck or being in the right place at the right time gets you by a couple of times, but to accomplish or build something great, there are simply no shortcuts. It’s called work for a reason, and it’s hard. But it’s so rewarding when you do it the right way. Focus on the positives along the journey, but don’t miss the learning opportunities from the negative. So, follow your passion even if it requires risk because failure is a big part of growth. Our number of ABF clients is increasing as we continue to improve our services and floral design offerings. Stay tuned because this is only the beginning… follow us for more inspiration for your loved ones; the best is yet to come!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.beautifulflwr?igsh=MTF3a3VmYXo0NmJhdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/JmmMC8rNKtAnnp1i/?mibextid=hu50Ix
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_beautifulflwr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@abeautifulflwr?_t=8kZAzAJSVgp&_r=1
