Meet Sandra Davis

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sandra Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandra , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

In the beginning of starting my floral design business, I was constantly overcome with imposter syndrome. So many thoughts went through my head telling me I wasn’t worthy of success or that I wasn’t qualified due to not having 10 years of experience under my belt. In the floral world, it can also be unfortunately isolating as other florists may see you as a competitor first rather than a friend. This was certainly my experience entering into this line of work and I do believe that also contributed to the imposter syndrome we all know too well. As my business grew, practicing positive mindset shifts (progress over perfection), having realistic expectations for myself, celebrating small wins, embracing mistakes and learning from them, and also embracing the unique value that I can bring to my clients was how I was able to break free from imposter syndrome.

I am certain I’m not alone in having imposter syndrome set in, especially as a small business owner in the creative world. Overcoming imposter syndrome was not nearly a straight path but with consistent mindset shifts and recognition of the growth and change that I experienced as my business evolved, it led to eventually breaking free from that.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the owner and lead designer of Wildly Rooted, a full-service, color and art-forward floral design company in Birmingham, AL. The most exciting thing I have the pleasure of doing is being able to bring our clients vision to life and being part of some of the most special moments. From weddings that celebrate marriages to galas and events that celebrate company and brand successes, we hold such a special role in being able to setup an atmosphere that conveys emotion and allows for an unforgettable visual experience for our clients and their guests.

Our brand was inspired by eccentric and midcentury modern influence where bold color and unexpected elements meet. This seeps into our floral designs by including unexpected color palettes, premium and unique florals from all over the world (although we love on local blooms as much as possible), and utilizing foliages and other natural elements such as fruits, vegetables, and more to provide visual interest. We thrive most when our clients come to us with full trust in executing their vision for their events.

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?

Always being willing to change and improve processes or skillsets, being consistent with showing up daily, and doing my best to not compare myself to other alike businesses.

I found it helpful to take a step back and look at the overall trajectory of my business. How was my client interaction flowing? How are my habits affecting my workflow? Are there things I could do better? It takes daily action and consistency to see change when it involves transforming a business and your mindset. Always looking for ways to improve my skills whether that be through online education or in-person workshops from creatives that I look up to in my field. Loosing the mindset of “I can’t do _______” or “I can’t post ______ until it’s perfect” was essential. Showing up daily can be as simple as posting on social medias or creating a new connection in your network. Lastly, comparison is the thief of joy and if you don’t have joy in what you do, you will be miserable and your work will become stagnant. Keep your eyes down, keep your thoughts positive. Jealousy and comparison leave very little room for creativity and new ideas so let those things go ASAP!

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

It is so easy to feel overwhelmed as a business owner. We wear all the hats! Social media manager, content creator, scheduler, graphic designer, photographer, florist, etc. The list goes on.

I’ve noticed that delegating as much as I can, especially things that are considered to be part of my weakness, is key. I am not a numbers gal and when I hired an accountant I felt the weight of the world lifting off of my shoulders. I’ve hired out content creation for our social medias during busy months. I’ve overstaffed on wedding days to ensure a easy execution of our work. Anything to take a little off of my plate was a way to keep overwhelm away.

Also realizing that it’s okay to take a break was important for me. Prioritizing my health and wellness makes all the difference. When you create time in your schedule to relax and refresh, you come back with stamina to problem solve and remain calm amongst the chaos.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wildlyrootedfloraldesign.com
• Instagram: @wildlyrootedfloraldesign
• Other: Email: wildlyrootedflorals@gmail.com

Image Credits

Eric & Jamie Photography
Chandler Holmes Photography
By The Hunts Photography
Abby Lee Photography