Today we’d like to introduce you to Payton King
Hi Payton, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In other articles, I’ve touched base on how I got started in the Floral Industry, but I’ll dive a little deeper here.
In 2014 I met my now Husband at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, TX. We were BIG dancers and taught two-step, half-step, and West Coast swing to others at the local bars, and even at a dance studio sometimes. Our relationship blossomed from there, and that’s what brings me to where I am now. I like to think that our heartwarming story started there because he decided to propose to me in the exact location where we met years later, but that’s a story for another day. I bet you’re wondering how the heck this could fit into how all of that got me started in the Floral industry, but stay with me…
Initially, my Husband’s family needed front desk help at their Flower Shop “Lake Worth Florist”. I started about 2 months into our relationship and quickly became part of the team/family. My job was to answer the phones, take orders, dust shelves, clean the cooler doors, and then they put me on the task of homecoming mums. Which was a big thing in Texas, and still is but I don’t make them anymore thankfully.
Pretty early on I had the drive, and the eye to start designing flowers. I started by designing roses, and other basic arrangements. The owner and now my Grandmother-In-Law made me read the Texas Master Florist design book that she’s had for probably 30 years before I was allowed to do anything I deemed cooler.
What she didn’t know is how fast a reader I am, because I read that baby within 3 days… and yes, she quizzed me on it! HAHA!
About a year into working at the Florist, I started designing funeral arrangements, traditional pieces, and centerpieces.
It took me a while to find my own style, but I would call it similar to a “Wild Garden”. I like lots of texture, bouncy, and free-flowing florals in the arrangements I style today.
As far as weddings go, I didn’t take over until about 7 years into my work at the Florist as we had another designer who specialized in that, and I learned a lot of my skills from her.
I took a few wedding classes and learned from other designers, but in reality, I’ve taught myself a lot of what I use in my everyday designs. As of current I’m working on making a name for myself by branching out and doing more events that aren’t just wedding or funeral related.
I’ve said previously that my dream is to always be able to help others and have the ability to be creative, and I’m getting to do both of those things in the position that I’m in now. I started my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology this year, and my goal is to become a counselor. Which is wildly different than my current job, but I will never stop designing as it’s become a part of me.
Truly, my ultimate goal is to have a little store of my own where I can have a place for those to read, buy books, study, eat yummy foods/drinks from locals, sell locally grown flowers, and have an office in the back where I can counsel others.
Who knows where the future will take me, but I sure am excited about it!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say it has been necessarily easy. When you work for a family, let alone your own family it’s hard to grow into where you think you should be. At this point, I’m in the highest position I can be in, and while I believe it’s amazing, it’s also insanely frustrating. I’m someone who is always looking to grow and learn new things. Which means I don’t do well being stuck in one position for long. I don’t want to seem ungrateful by any means, because I really do love what I’m doing right now and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have its perks.
In any position in life, there are going to be struggles, but there has been an outpouring of love and that’s how I got where I am today.
Even if I had to be a little pushy, and get others out of their comforts to do it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We do it all here at “Lake Worth Florist”.
Weddings, Funerals, Everyday Occasions, you name it.
Lately, we’ve found we’re doing more Weddings and other events. So, my belief is that’s where we specialize.
It has helped us tremendously by owning a venue “Hidden Gardens Venue”.
Business has been great because we design around 85% of the events at the venue.
Here at the Florist, we’re most proud of our contribution to helping others be in love.
This is the place you come to where we make your vision and your dreams come true.
What’s even better is that we can do it all in one place!
I’ve recently created an All-Inclusive wedding package that entails our favorite Vendors including ourselves.
Which you can check out on the “Hidden Gardens Venue” website.
I believe what sets us apart from others is our uniqueness. We’re not a big company, but rather a Mom & Pop shop that is women-owned and run, that is tirelessly working to make a living from doing what we love to do.
We’re a family at the end of the day, and we understand our Customer’s struggles and wants. We try our best to succeed daily in that endeavor and never give up! We like the saying “Hustle And Heart, Will Set You Apart”.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Ok, don’t laugh but I like to listen to a bit of classical music every day. It helps me get into a calm state of mind, and to be able to focus on what I’m doing. I mainly listen when I’m reading, and sometimes when I’m designing flowers.
My mother-in-law will walk into the shop at times, and she’ll be like “What the heck are we listening to?!”
(Dark academia studying and reading instruments)
This is my cue to turn on something a bit more upbeat, which is typically something Stevie Nicks-related.
That helps us to get into the groove of things!
In my spare time, I read often, and I’ve surpassed my goal of 50 books this year. Whoop Whoop!
My TBR is rather long, and mainly all fantasy but oh how I love a good book to cuddle up with.
I like to say that I’m my best self when I’m reading, and not watching TV as that can sometimes get in the way of everyday life.
If I’m listening to a podcast it’s usually surrounding self-help or something to do with psychology.
But I do love Bailey Sarain, and I’ve been listening to her for years. She has a Murder, Mystery & Makeup podcast that is always really fascinating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lakeworthfloristtx.com/
Image Credits
Emily Wynns
Riley Saenz
RawMotivePhotography
Hidden Gardens Venue
RMKeventsbyrachel
Meenas_bridal_couture
