Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Ashlynn.
Hi Taylor, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t plan to be a florist. I was (& still am) in the music industry doing journalism & marketing when the world shut down in 2020. At the time, I had to find secondary work to pay the bills. I was living in Oak Cliff, Dallas when a friend suggested I work at the local flower shop since I had a well-known green thumb & knack for art. Luckily, the high end flower shop hired me on & gave me luxury boutique training. I moved to Stephenville chasing love & started working for a mom & pop flower shop in Granbury, which gave me an entirely different training experience. Working at both really rounded out my expertise. While in Granbury, my boss let me take weddings on the side since he knew my talents & joy came from luxury artistic work that we didn’t get a lot of in the flower “recipe” business. It got to the point where I was missing massive opportunities going to my 9-5 job, so I ventured out to start the brick & mortar of PinaTaylotta Petals. I’d like to thank Sean, the Granbury owner, & Michele, my trainer, for really pushing me to be the best I can be.
The name PinaTaylotta Petals comes from my childhood nickname, PinaTaylotta- like pina colada. It’s a mix between my first & last name. I’ve carried it from the back of my high school letterman to every social & business I own.
I did the brick & mortar thing in Bluff Dale for 3 years before building a new eclectic studio one street behind my old shop. We’re almost done building a quaint little greenhouse & outdoor patio space for events & private rentals. I am so beyond the moon with how whimsical & magic the new PinaTaylotta Petals space is turning out to be! But in the mean time, PinaTaylotta Petals contracts with our favorite venue, Lazy S Hacienda in Weatherford for their weekday elopement packages.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oof- being a florist is a struggle in itself! Owning any type of business is not for the weak, but floral design especially. My business is a luxury, it is not a necessity; so there are ebbs & flows in busy seasons which can prove difficult to manage if not balanced properly. Florals are also a perishable item. The hardest thing about being a luxury florist is hands down the hours. I have roughly 72 hours before your event to prepare the ENTIRE event. That includes picking up the flowers, processing them, & creating your work. I personally hand design EVERYTHING that leaves my shop. My staff will do the beginning steps like taping or greening, but I will seriously stay up for 3 straight days working to ensure your florals are to my standard by my own hand. I have only ever had one complaint in the 5 years & over 600 weddings I’ve done. It’s also physically demanding, I have to take weekly epsom salt baths for my bones from bending & carrying 5 gallon buckets & scaling ladders constantly. I even did a massive wedding for a western influencer on George Strait’s golf ranch with a broken hand because you cannot just cancel someone’s wedding flowers day of!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in luxury events, weddings, & styled shoots. I’ve been coined the “Texas Music Florist,” as most of my major events have come from my background in the Texas music industry. My first solo wedding was Cadence & Mason Morris, bassist for Koe Wetzel. Others include Whitney & Dalton Domino, Elaina Kay & Derek Gage, Corina Grove & Mitchell Ferguson, Lily & Bill Corbin of Mickey & the Motorcars/Teague Brothers, Marjorie & Ryan Olgin of Giovannie & the Hired Guns, Hailey & Giovannie Yanez wedding, too. So many to count!
There are two things that really set me apart from others florists: the artistic approach of my florals & where I source luxury florals. I pride myself in carrying the coolest, wierdest, fullest flowers. I don’t believe you should pay a florist for floral design with flowers that you can pick up at your local grocer– otherwise why not do it yourself? PinaTaylotta Petals florals come mostly from Holland (yes, the country!) They’ll fly into cargo at Dallas Love Field or ship to my one & only wholesaler in Dallas where Michelle, my darling floral rep & weekly therapist, will hand pull me only the best product from Ecuador, Madagascar, & Holland. I also deeply believe in community. I get all my sunflowers, zinnias, & seasonal celosia from my local farm First Earth to support our small town of Bluff Dale. Adding a little bit of their oregano or basil leaves to an arrangement is just the right touch for superior smell!
I went to Texas A&M University for Journalism & Traditional Media (painting) which really shapes how I build a bouquet. The compliment I receive most is “I love how different your florals look,” & I truly believe it’s the way I shape, color block, & choose which florals to use. They aren’t just bouquets, they are art. They tell a story. My florals evoke emotion. Each petal speaks to you from their meticulous placements. It’s wild & controlled, it’s alive & dying. They’re totally & completely unique.
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I didn’t know where else to put this so I feel like this is the spot? I married my two loves together, florals & journalism. Under PinaTaylotta Petals I also have Pickin’ Petals, my music publication. During the slow floral months of June-August, I schedule touring & festival write-ups for my publication. I couldn’t do this job without the support from my floral business. The two make a whole.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
HIRE A CPA! When starting a business, right away you need a trustworthy accountant, a separate business bank card, & a membership to a shoulder massage therapist. Trust me.
As an artist, I would suggest having a “business” staff member. As in, someone you trust to answer emails & return phone calls. I’m pretty sure I’m allergic to answering emails, so to keep me sane & healthy, an analytical staffer is necessary for me to continue making art.
Pricing:
- Wrapped Bouquets start from $25+
- Vase Arrangements start from $45+
- Weddings are consult only
- We are always looking to do luxury styled shoots!
- We travel WORLDWIDE for events!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pinataylottapetals.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinataylottapetals/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PinaTaylottaPetals
- Other: https://pinataylottapetals.com/blogs/pickinpetals
Image Credits
Olive & Co. Photography (white/tan bridal & disco ball pic)
For Love in the Light Photography (bride & bridesmaids in orange)
Katie Langley Photography (me in front of studio door)
the rest are taken by me at the shop
