Meet Angie Kelley

We were lucky to catch up with Angie Kelley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Angie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose in the summer of 2024, when I realized how deeply fulfilled I felt working with flowers. Arranging them, learning about their characteristics, and seeing how they could transform someone’s mood or brighten a day, it all felt magical to me. The more I explored the floral world, the more I believed I could turn this love into a business.

That belief was tested and affirmed in the fall, when I designed Woodland-themed florals for a friend’s baby shower. The response was overwhelming! People loved what I created and encouraged me to pursue it professionally. Their support, along with encouragement from my husband, family, and friends, gave me the confidence to launch Sunshine + Stems Floral Design in November 2024.

Since then, floral design has truly ignited my spirit. I love hearing the stories behind each arrangement or event and being intentional with every bloom I choose. The name “Sunshine + Stems” reflects my desire to bring joy into people’s lives, just like a close friend who’s called me “Sunshine” for the past twenty years.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As I celebrate my first year in business, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible opportunities that have come my way and the growth I’ve experienced—both as a floral designer and a business owner. Most of my work has come through word-of-mouth, and I’m deeply thankful to my amazing clients who continue to recommend me to their friends and families.

Lately, I’ve been diving into new learning experiences, including floral design courses that help me expand my knowledge of flower varieties and refine my creative techniques. I make it a point to design with blooms I’ve never used before-exploring their unique traits and how they behave in different settings.

This year, my focus is on wedding floral design. I’m captivated by the endless possibilities of styles and themes that can be brought to life through flowers. I’m especially excited about creating large-scale floral installations and growing my presence in weddings and events.

To support this vision, I’m currently redesigning my website to better showcase my wedding and event work and connect with more clients who are planning their special day.

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?

What’s been most meaningful in this journey is how much I genuinely enjoy learning and figuring things out through hands-on experience. While I’ve learned a lot from experts, some of the most valuable lessons have come from simply doing the work, solving problems, making mistakes, and improving through trial and error. I love the process, whether a design turns out exactly how I imagined or not.

Finding confidence in a new industry has taken time. After years in the corporate world, stepping into floristry meant starting from scratch. Social media can make it easy to compare yourself to others, but I’ve learned to focus on my own creative voice and trust that what I bring to the table is unique. I remind myself that my clients are happy, and that’s what matters.

Persistence has also been key. I learned that during our hot summers, business slows down. Instead of waiting for things to pick up, I used the time to learn new techniques and experiment with flowers. That quiet stretch ended up being a valuable period of growth. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that progress comes from continuing to move forward, even when things feel uncertain.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m actively looking to build meaningful relationships with wedding planners and event professionals in the Tampa Bay area. I welcome opportunities to collaborate with photographers, bridal boutiques, entertainment teams, rental companies, and other creatives involved in bringing events to life. If you’re interested in connecting, feel free to reach out at 813-302-7908 or [email protected]. You can also find me on Instagram: @sunshineandstems813.

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