Today, The Platinum Mask channel would like to introduce Hannah Willis for a conversation.
Hey! Please explain to the audience what you’re promoting.
I’m here to promote the creative journey + floral design.
What was the biggest obstacle in your journey and how did you overcome it?
This is a hard one! obstacles have come in many different forms! Mostly just figuring out how to run and operate smoothly. We’re in a place now where systems and structures are in order and things feel like they’re finally flowing smoothly!! That’s a game changer honestly.
What separates you from similar artist in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
I feel like I’m set apart because of my specific skillset, creative eye, and passion for community. Of course, they are are TONS of amazing creative designers in the Dallas area!! However, just one me 🙂 I hope that my passion for people flows through everything that I create! I value my client relationships more than anything else!
Is there anything you wished you would have known earlier in your journey?
I started to type that I wish I would’ve known about the hard parts, or the parts that feel unexpected – but that’s not it. I think maybe I wish I would’ve known earlier on that things would get easier with time and practice. I spent a lot of time crying and stressing out about not knowing whether or not I’d succeed, but with enough grit and confidence I made it through those harder parts and if anything, I wish I would’ve trusted the process a bit more! It probably would’ve saved me from some tears. Embracing the messy, chaotic, unpredictable energy that comes with floristry is about 90% of the job. I’m still learning how to lean into it!
Do you have any favorite spots in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
BISHOP!! ARTS!! can’t say enough about how sweet the people in the area are. The shops are wonderful as well! some of my favs are mod + jo and all good things. The gals there are absolutely amazing, and the have the cutest products. You absolutely must eat at paradiso if you can!! Then grab a drink from bishop lane 🙂
Were there any major challenges due to the covid-19 pandemic? How did you overcome them?
Y E S, any florist can attest to the covid chaos. Stem prices at an all time high, shortages in STAPLE varieties (at one point it was white flowers??!), delays in deliveries, etc. I really got into things around the time that this was all happening, but a lot of florists had to completely postpone or cancel events, etc. It was (and still is) just so hard to recover from! We’re in a wedding boom now, which is amazing because there are all super busy with the events that were postponed, but that comes with it’s own set of challenges. Having a group of people to lean on when things get hard, and literally asking for help is a game changer!! The key to overcoming the overwhelm!!
What was your upbringing like and did you discover your passion early on?
I grew up in a busy house! my parents are go getters and had four kiddos (i’m a twin) who all were pretty involved in school & extracurriculars. They taught us the value of education but also the undeniable value of networking and getting involved. I learned a lot of those skills from my mama! She’s also highly creative and allowed us to have fun with lots of silly projects all while learning how to embrace messing up and getting dirty along the way. It’s a valuable lesson looking back – and I hope I can teach my kiddos the same! I like to think i’m a perfectionist but I have been refined in learning how to embrace failure too. My passion is really just for people, and for creativity. The floral world offers all of my favorite things in one place, so I guess you could say that flowers are just my medium these days! I’m sure that my passions will continue to evolve!
Do you have a mentor and can you remember any key advice they have given you?
Oh yes!! many!! From my parents, to my siblings, to art teachers, to friends, to fellow florists and other creators. So many wonderful people have given me advice – that mostly sums up into being true to myself. It’s easy to get caught up in what’s trending and what you think other people will like. trusting their advice to do what feels the most “me” and makes me happiest – has been so so so impactful.
Were your friends and family supportive of your mission?
YES! s/o to my badass family and best friends. they couldn’t be more supportive!! It was probably a little concerning at first when I quit my full time job and lost benefits – but they’ve helped me succeed in ways that they’ll never know! so grateful for their support.
Any links you want to share for the viewers?
