The Gilded Garden story
Stay-at-home mom to woodworker to florist
After over a decade of the multi-faceted job of being a stay-at-home mom, I tried my hand at construction and then woodworking. I was the only woman on my team at these jobs, and I started helping a talented Chattanooga florist, Stephanie Lang, on the side as a creative outlet where I could spend time with other women. I found that I loved floral design and had a knack for it. So I reached out to a few other florists I admired and began freelancing for them as well. A few years into my floral journey, and here I am starting my own business!
An origin story
My Gran was a Boss. She was a manager when women were typically not in management roles. But she had pluck, and she was a leader. She dressed and accessorized like a boss, taking pride in her role. My PaPa passed up promotion opportunities because he wanted to do his work and then get on home. To sit in his chair, to watch a Braves game, to tend to his roses. My Mom still claims that my PaPa could kick dirt over a rose cutting, and that it would grow. I don’t know about that, but he did have a way with roses. I see myself in both of them— ambitious, creative, innovative… peaceful, content, drawn to the earth.
So I decided to call this creative venture The Gilded Garden. Because of my PaPa’s roses. And because of my Gran’s jewelry that I now wear—etched and gilded with blooms.