Meet Savana VonFeldt

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Savana VonFeldt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Savana below.

Savana , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

As a kid, I often used sadness and loneliness as fuel for my creativity—it was a way to process what I was feeling. Later, I went to art school to study painting and developed a more intentional practice. Now, when I find myself in a creative slump or feeling lost, I remind myself that I can always start over. That mindset really helps take the pressure off. Once you begin something, it’s easy to feel the weight of having to finish it perfectly. But I believe art is never truly finished—it evolves. So when I’m stuck, I let myself start again. That freedom often reignites the creative spark

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

After art school, I joined AmeriCorps through Teach For America, and ended up teaching for a decade. My best friend and I were teachers together during that time. One summer, feeling completely burnt out, I was making a floral arrangement for my mom—just something simple and calming—and I texted my friend Jessica saying, ‘We should start a flower business. This feels so peaceful and fulfilling.’ With my background in art and painting, it felt like a natural extension of my creativity. She immediately replied that she’d always dreamed of being a florist. Eighteen months later, we launched Jack and Leo—named after our dogs—a floral design and bouquet bar company rooted in the idea of bringing people that same peaceful, aesthetic joy that first inspired us.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three things stand out as most impactful in my journey: resilience, creative problem-solving, and the ability to build authentic relationships.

Resilience helped me move through tough moments—from teaching burnout to creative slumps—while staying open to new possibilities. Creative problem-solving allowed me to blend my background in art with unexpected outlets, like floral design, and to pivot careers in a way that still felt true to who I am. And relationships—especially the one with my best friend-turned-business partner—reminded me that collaboration and trust can carry you far, especially when you’re building something new.

For those early in their journey, my advice is:
1. Build resilience by allowing yourself to try things, fail, and start over without shame—just keep showing up.
2. Stretch your creativity in ways that go beyond your comfort zone—it’s not always about having the right answer, but about exploring new paths.
3. Invest in real relationships—whether mentors, collaborators, or friends—because having people who understand and support your vision can be the key to keeping it alive.

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?

The biggest challenge I’m currently facing is my tendency to want to do too many things at once. I’m a naturally curious and creative person, so I constantly have new ideas and directions I want to explore. But I’ve learned that without focus, even the best ideas can lose momentum. I have to regularly remind myself to slow down, prioritize, and give my energy to what aligns most with my long-term vision.

Another challenge is that I often lean toward giving things away—whether it’s my time, ideas, or services—because I genuinely want to help people and make them feel good. But I’m learning that sustainability matters, especially when running a business. So I’ve been working on redefining my relationship with value—understanding that charging for my work doesn’t take away from its heart, it supports its growth

Contact Info:

• Instagram: jack.and.leo