We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Courtney Connelly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Courtney , great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
Like most people, risk taking does not come naturally for me. However, I have realized that growth is fueled by the ability to push your limits which means taking small leaps towards your goals. Any “leap” so to speak has inherent risks; your pushing yourself into new territory and stretching outside of comfort zones. For instance, I used to avoid any situation that involved public speaking, but I was required to take public speaking in college. I didn’t like the anxiety I had the night before a speech. I decided I would face this fear head on and sought out experiences that would help me feel more comfortable such as performing with a dance troupe and singing karaoke. And guess what? I didn’t die and I even managed to have fun! I have learned to lean into the situations or experiences that push me in order to grow my confidence and skills. Life means change and challenge and it is better in my opinion to seek out change instead of waiting for it to come to you. I am glad I now feel empowered to take risks and had the courage to take the leap into entrepreneurship!
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 have always loved creating art and connecting with people and I am so happy to have a career in floral design that allows me to do both! I have an online floral shop, based in the Arvada/Westminster area, offering daily deliveries, subscriptions for home or business (these make great gifts!) and a la carte wedding & event florals. I also offer full service weddings & events for those wanting a more comprehensive approach for their big day. Each client comes with a unique perspective, story and intention and I love the journey of bringing their vision to life. I pride myself on creating floral art that is unique and tailored to each individual request. You will find no wire services or carbon copies here!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would say that curiosity, grit and integrity have been the three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey. Curiosity has helped me to develop compassion for myself and others and has kept me in a beginner’s state of mind. There is always something to learn and to explore if you focus on being curious and it keeps one from becoming inflexible and closeminded. Grit, a combination of passion and perseverance, has given me the ability to push through self doubt and keep going when the going gets tough. Grit has kept me afloat through the process of realizing a dream. Integrity to me means living a life of wholeness, where you are honest with yourself and others. Life is so much better when you are living your truth even if it goes against the grain. The world needs you in all of your perfect imperfection!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
The pool of talented creatives and vendors in Denver’s wedding industry is rich and varied. I have loved working as a team in tandem with others in order to create weddings, events and styled shoots. Each wedding is so different, from the aesthetic to the people you get to co-create with. It makes each day an adventure and aids in growing knowledge and skills. I would love to connect and collaborate with more planners, vendors and clients in the coming year to create beauty and magic!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://petalstothemetalfloral.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petalstothemetal_floral/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063807773256
Image Credits
Headshot Photo: Jacie Marguerite
Images 1-3 for story: EmmaLee Babcock of Monarch & Sage Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
