Meet Mallory Anthony | Lead Floral Designer | Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mallory Anthony and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mallory, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be quite honest I don’t think there was too much of a “thought process” that went into starting my own business. I would describe it more so as a slow burn. Floral design initially started as a hobby during COVID, which involved growing my own plants indoors, landscaping outside, and foraging gardens to create arrangements. And it seemed like one day I woke up with an actual company under my name doing these things that continue to fuel me creatively but also challenge me to learn and grow in other ways that I’ve never experienced before. The real thought process started a year or so after starting my business …actually pricing for profit, how to scale and grow in incremental steps, targeting my ideal clients,

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I own my own floral design business, which focuses on large and small scale events. I have owned my own business for nearly 5 years now. I describe my work in floral design as largely traditional in nature with elements of modernity. I think learning something new every day and making slight adjustments/improvements is what has allowed me to grow and scale from where I started. It has not been an easy process, and it still is just that… a process. I don’t even know if I could list all the challenges I’ve experienced over the past several years. Sleepless nights, lack of business knowledge, wondering if I’m actually making a profit.

Hiring great, reliable assistants 2 years ago was the best change that allowed me to scale my business. I tell my team all the time that our work would not be possible without all of the hands involved in it. Learning from other businesses not even remotely within my industry has helped me as well. I love just to ask questions or observe a systems process nearly anywhere I go now to help develop the way I want to practice as a business owner.

Word of advice: a tax consultant is a key person you need in your pocket at all times.

I think the way I approach floral design (especially in my immediate area) sets me apart from others. My personal style and way of designing will continually evolve with time which is important for this genre of floral work. Whereas there are florists that are set with their ways of designing and don’t necessarily aim to learn more or practice things that might make them uncomfortable. I think there is a distinctive difference between a retail florist who can do florals for a large scale event, and someone who specializes in events. Another thing that sets me apart from many is the communication style I seek with clients. In order for me to achieve the custom looks I want for events, it requires knowing all details involved in the design process. This could mean, I’m collaborating with the stationary girl or talking through layout plans with the planner, etc.

I think I want the world to know that I put so much care and heart into anything that I do. I want that reflected in all aspects of my business, from the way that I put time and attention into florals but also how that I speak with my assistants and the way that I want to provide back into my local community to see it thrive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My Gaston County Weekend Itinerary:

Friday Night

Dinner at Pita Wheel and walk to a Ghost Peppers game in the social district

Ice Cream at Tony’s

Saturday

Brunch at Honeycomb in Belmont

Grab a Coffee to-go at everyday and shop on Main Street : Jolie’s and Belletique

Swing to McAdenville for Laundry Dae shopping

Afternoon drink at 115 Craft

Dinner at Webb’s Custom Kitchen in downtown Gastonia (reservations were placed 2 weeks in advance.. iykyk)

Sunday

City Church Early Service

Lunch: Nellie’s in Belmont with live music (make sure we have cash for the artist)

Relax in the evening at the White Water Center (Mt Holly) River Jam

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To preface, there are countless individuals that I could name in my life that have inspired me to have an entrepreneurial spirit. It’s honestly difficult for me to “shoutout” just one. That being said, Chef Vivian Howard has been an inspiration to me for years. She sacrificed the time she spent building up years of her career in NYC with her husband to then plant roots in her hometown (Kinston) which is in rural eastern NC. In Kinston, she established a farm to table restaurant that featured local product that she would be purchased from the farmers in her area. A PBS series (Chef’s Life) was created to highlight the work she did to really draw attention to those that were once tobacco farmers and were forced to shift to other products to grow. She sparked a revitalization to her entire hometown through the start of multiple businesses. In essence, I think her family driving her career decisions, educational spirit, risk taking, and heart for her community really inspired and encouraged me to want to do similar things with my life and career.

Website: https://www.malloryanthonyfloraldesign.com

Instagram: malloryanthonyfloraldesign

Facebook: Mallory Anthony Floral Design

Image Credits
Anastasia Strate
Court Winter
Mary Mazzucco
Joy Photo + Video