We recently had the chance to connect with Emily Phillips and have shared our conversation below.
Emily, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Let’s be honest, there’s no such thing as a normal day. However, the rhythm is often as follows; 5:30am wake up to run or spend some time in quiet before spending an hour working before the kids wake up, 7:15am breakfast, 9:00am most of the kids are gone until 2:30pm and I continue with work or meetings, by 3:45pm everyone is home and my focus shifts entirely to house and family related things (making dinner, tidying up, putting people to bed, cleaning the kitchen), after 8pm I may complete an additional task of some sort, catchup with the husband, try to be in bed by 9:15 for a little reading (currently My Life in France) before turning out the light. During a production week, all of my work hours and evenings are spent in the studio prepping for the event.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I run a floral studio called Emily Kaye Floral Atelier – that’s my name and my middle name. “Atelier” is nod to my love for all things French and it means “studio” in french. I design wedding and event florals for clients in Dallas, Houston, Austin and the broader East Texas area. I like to combine creative eye with intentionality so that the event is unique but flattering to the season and the location. I work well with clients who want to create an unparalleled experience and who recognize flowers as an important part of cultivating a beautiful atmosphere.
My particular love is to combine the rugged style of Texas with the organic sensibility of France.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Fortunately, I have always had the protection of some combination of ignorance, innocence and a loving community that has lead me to either not notice or to care very little about what the world says. If I spend too much time online, then I notice myself feeling pulled to be more showy, more perfect than I actually am.
We are the world, so what we put out there and how we exist affects others.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
It’s the times when I provide my craft for free for someone else with the promise of good connections and good marketing that I end up feeling the most depleted and I ask myself, why am I doing this? Do I even love it enough to keep going? It happened recently and it reminded me that this is not a hobby. Risks are necessary for growth but, the times when I make decisions that are grounded on fear or greed, that is when I begin to consider giving up. After those incidents, I feel the most empty and purposeless.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Since I’m not exactly a “public figure” it’s not too difficult to be myself most of the time. However, this is one of the difficulties with being present online, a necessity for a visual-heavy business like floral design. I am not naturally a bubbly person but that type of personality is much better received online than a straightforward/no fluff personality. So in the digital space, I have to make some adjustments that are not entirely true to my in-person self so that my business feel warm and inviting. For example, I use more exclamation points and emojis with clients and with industry acquaintances than feels natural to me. I’ve learned that people need that to feel at ease. More dramatically, when I started eight years ago, I rarely told potential clients or partners in the events industry that I had young kids and was still having babies. I never showed family life online even though it was a major source of motivation for my business. I was afraid I wouldn’t be taken seriously and honestly, I still don’t regret withholding that information. People tend to stack a whole bunch of assumptions onto you when they hear you have four babies. Now that I’ve been in business almost ten years, I share more freely because I’ve proven over time that I’m not doing this as a hobby: I’m here to stay.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
What would remain if I laid everything down? Beauty and relationships would remain. Beauty is all around us, you just have to stop and to look to see it. Good relationships are the thing most worth having. When all else is gone, love will remain.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emilykayefloral.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilykayefloral/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-phillips-95139824a
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilykayefloral
Image Credits
Katrina McArdle Photography
Jen Symes Photography
Abigail Lewis Photography
Rachel and Noah Ray Photography
