We were lucky to catch up with Marion Smallwood recently and have shared our conversation below.
Marion, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I’ve always known I was creative. Making things has been a constant in my life—it’s how I am able to show up as my most authentic self. For years, I moved through different artistic mediums: poetry, music, patternmaking, leatherwork, millinery. Each one felt meaningful, but I kept thinking, this isn’t quite it. I was always searching for “my thing”—something I could truly dedicate myself to.
Then floral design entered the chat.
I’ve been a florist for two years now, and I co-own a floral studio with my business partner. What’s beautiful is that every creative skill I picked up along the way—every medium I once thought I left behind—has a place in what I do now. The rhythm of poetry shows up in the way I describe arrangements and hold workshops. My love of fashion and form comes through in color palettes and textures, and even my outfits. Even my experience in millinery has helped shape how I approach structure and detail. Nothing was wasted.
I didn’t find my purpose through one big revelation. I found it by following what felt good, what felt honest. By trusting my instincts. I kept exploring, even when I wasn’t sure where it would lead. And eventually, all those pieces came together—into something beautiful, distinctive, and completely mine.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My floral studio in Atlanta, GA, Bloom Box Collective started with a question—and a little bit of perfect timing. Two years ago, the weekend before Mother’s Day, I asked a new friend if his flower shop needed help. I’d never worked with flowers professionally, but I’d always been creative and loved working with my hands. That weekend, I walked into a real flower studio for the first time… and I never left!
Fast forward, and today I co-own a floral studio with one of my best friends. Our business is called Bloom Box Collective—a name that nods to the boombox, because music plays a big part in how we express ourselves. Just like a good mixtape, we believe flowers can carry emotion, tell stories, and move people. That energy flows through everything we do—from the way we design, to how we connect with our customers and community.
We’re located in a shipping container at Lee + White, a creative and commercial hub in Atlanta’s West End. Our pink container is part of a container village that sits alongside a wonderful community of breweries, restaurants, gyms, clinics, art studios–you name it! And we’re located right off the Atlanta Westside BeltLine, which gives us amazing foot traffic and an even better community of neighbors to collaborate with.
At Bloom Box, we’re not just florists—we’re curators and connectors. That’s why we call ourselves a collective. We feature work from local artisans, host events and pop-ups, and collaborate with other small businesses and creatives around the city. Whether someone’s picking up a bouquet, stopping by for a DIY flower bar, or partnering with us on a special event, we want every interaction to feel personal, joyful, and intentional.
Everything I’ve done creatively—music, fashion, poetry, millinery—shows up in this business. It’s not just about flowers; it’s about building something layered and expressive and full of soul. Bloom Box Collective is truly a reflection of all that—and it’s just getting started.
Follow us on Instagram: @bloomboxcollective
Visit us online: www.bloomboxcollective.com
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?
Looking back, the three most impactful parts of my journey have been intuition, adaptability, and creative discipline.
Intuition led me forward, even when I didn’t have a clear plan. I followed what felt good—what sparked joy or curiosity—and that instinct eventually brought me to flowers. My advice: trust what draws you in, even if it doesn’t make sense yet.
Adaptability kept me growing. I moved through different creative paths—poetry, music, fashion—and each one taught me something. If you’re just starting out, give yourself room to explore and pivot. Every step has value.
Creative discipline has made the biggest difference in running a business. It’s not always glamorous, but showing up consistently builds momentum. Start small: carve out time, create even when it’s hard, and commit to the process. But don’t push yourself to burnout!
No part of your journey is wasted. Every skill, every experiment, even every “failure” has value. Trust your path, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to stay true to yourself.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Honestly, it’s been my friends—my creative family—who have made all the difference. The people who’ve loved me, believed in me, encouraged me to try again when things felt messy or uncertain. My tribe has always shown up with honesty, support, and deep understanding, especially during the moments I doubted myself or didn’t know what came next.
They’ve taught me how to trust my vision, how to move through fear, and how to stay grounded in who I am as an artist and business owner. A lot of my growth hasn’t come from formal training—it’s come from conversation, collaboration, and community. Being surrounded by people who are also building, creating, dreaming—it keeps you inspired and honest.
The truth is, I wouldn’t be here without them. Success, for me, has never been a solo thing—it’s always been shared.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bloomboxcollective.com
- Instagram: bloombox_atl
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
