We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tessa Manton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tessa, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Work ethic is a character trait that I believe is developed, learned and mastered over time as we discover what we love and what gives up purpose and drive. My parents were instrumental in showing me a solid work ethic from their professional to personal lives. They work hard and play hard while staying focused on their personal hobbies, their family, careers and communities. I tend to credit my work ethic to my 3 parents, but often I have to remind myself I am surrounded by a professional community which include some of my best friends. This group is supportive, competitive and keeps me driven to continue to grown and produce amazing and unique designs while taking time to play enjoy friends and family!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I spent the first 21 years of my life growing up in Summit County, Colorado. Ski country! I love the outdoors and being surrounded my the mountain and winter lifestyle. I worked for various companies in the service industry from waiting tables to event planning and tuning skis on the mountain. My favorite jobs growing up were in the event industry. I loved the production of it all and knew I was going find a career in events in some aspect. I moved to St. Augustine, Florida for a complete change of scenery for college. During my time at Flagler College, I worked for non-profit event teams and a variety of wedding and event venues. I fell in love with the wedding community in St. Augustine and decided it was a world I wanted to be a part of in a permeant way. Tula Rose Floral and Event Design was born in 2015 after a well know and very talented floral designer decided to close up shop. I stared promoting Tula Rose while working for Casa Monica and building events out of my 900 square ft apartment! In 2017 I finally had enough events booked for Tula and left Casa Monica embarking on the wildest professional adventure of my life! Tula Rose has grown into a 3,000 square ft wear house with an event list to be proud of. I have the most amazing team of designers who keep the wheels on the bus daily. In 2020 we launched The Branch by Tula Rose which caters to more intimate wedding design needs and in 2023 we launched The Printed Petal by Tula Rose which creates custom wedding and event signage. I absolutely love what I do and feel so lucky every day to have found success, satisfaction and a continuing drive to grown and create bigger, more unique and fun designs.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on the journey that led me to be an entrepreneur, there were a lot of people and experiences that were influential, I am not sure I can pin down just 3! I learn early in my career that if I wanted to be in events, I would have to get used to 12+ hour days and 40+ hour weekends, yes weekends!! I learned the right shoes make all the difference! I learned that kindness, patience and grace can change the direction and the success of an event. I learned that being 3 steps a head is the only way to lead. I learned I have very short attention span for long office days! I learned I love the planning process but even more I love seeing it all come together and the pride each individual feels after a successful event. I learned if you do not love this world, it is not for you. I learned I do not like conflict and tell any unhappy clients they can talk to the boss, so I can take a moment, put the phone down, gather myself and answer again! I learned, and feel weird admitting it, COVID shut down was the best this that happened to me personally and professionally. I learned how hard it can be to be responsible for the business side, like paying taxes. I learned if I do not wake up each day with drive and focus, the business will not continue to be successful. I learned buying meals for the staff keeps them happy! I learned, at the end of the each day, I am proud of my company, my team and myself.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
There are so many challenges and obstacles I face as a business owner and event designer. From product being unavailable, bad or late to last minuet realizing we only have 6 glass vases when we need 7! But all of that is normal day to day! We are currently facing yet another ripple effect from the COVID shut down of 2020. There is about a 3.5-4 year trend for couples meeting to getting married. People were not meeting each other 4 years ago so our event list is down this year! We started The Printed Petal by Tula Rose in hopes to capture a few more clients who we might not have originally worked with us on a full custom design. So far, we are trying to enjoy some slower weekends! Another challenge I constantly face is the ever moving target of staying current and trendy! I have an amazing staff who are young and well connected that help keep me on trend! I also have a wonderful partner who is not only a hobby carpenter, he is a very skilled fabricator who is willing to create and build any and all structures my team and I can think of!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tularoseevents.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tularosefloralevents/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tularoseevents?mibextid=kFxxJD
Image Credits
Lunic Visuals – @lunicvisuals We are the Bowsers – @wearethebowsers The Talented Photographer – @thetalentedphotographer Southern Palms Studios – @southernpalmsstudio Walls of Jerico – @wojweddings Life & Love Studios – @lifeandlovestudio
