We were lucky to catch up with Dillon Drake recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dillon, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I don’t think imposter syndrome ever fully disappears, but I’ve learned to quiet it. In the early years of my business, it was easy to second-guess myself. I didn’t go to floral school, I didn’t have a design degree, and I was building Designs by Dillon from the ground up, one wedding at a time. When we started getting inquiries for large-scale events and luxury weddings, I’d sometimes ask myself, “Why me? What if I’m not enough for this?”
But the truth is, experience silences doubt. Every time I walked into a venue with buckets of flowers and a vision, and walked out having brought that vision to life – I built confidence. Every time a client said, “This is exactly what I dreamed of,” it reminded me that I belong here.
What helped most was shifting my mindset. I stopped waiting to feel like I had “earned” my place and started recognizing that the work I do is the credential. I’ve poured thousands of hours into learning by doing, solving problems on the fly, designing in all kinds of spaces, and building a brand with integrity.
Today, I try to focus less on who I’m “competing” with or whether I measure up, and more on showing up for my clients and creating work that feels true to me. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and I remind myself that the version of me who once felt like an imposter would be amazed by the business we’ve built.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m the founder and creative director behind Designs by Dillon, a wedding and event floral design studio based in Wilmington, North Carolina. What started as a side project after designing florals for a friend’s wedding has grown into a full-time passion and business—one that now serves couples across the region with curated, high-end floral and event design.
Our work is rooted in thoughtful details and intentional beauty. Whether we’re draping florals from a chandelier, creating an organic garden-inspired aisle, or crafting an elegant bouquet, our goal is always the same: to tell our client’s story through flowers.
What makes Designs by Dillon special isn’t just the product—it’s the process. We’re known for our personalized service and the trust we build with clients, planners, and venues. No two weddings are ever the same, and we take pride in designing from the ground up, tailoring every element to the couple’s vision.
In addition to our floral work, we’ve recently expanded into rentals—curated candlelight collections, urns, vases, stands, and more—which allows us to create fully cohesive environments and elevate the experience for our clients.
We also launched Maxwell’s, our online store named after our beloved dog, focused on curated home decor, seasonal goods, and floral accessories. Maxwell’s gives us a creative outlet beyond events and brings our design aesthetic into everyday spaces.
Right now, we’re entering another busy wedding season and continuing to grow our team, refine our client experience, and dream up new ways to serve both our event clients and online shoppers. It’s an exciting chapter, and I’m grateful to be doing work that brings so much joy and meaning—not just to our clients, but to me as a designer and entrepreneur.
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?
1) Adaptability: This industry is unpredictable – weather changes, timelines shift, flowers don’t arrive as expected. Early on, I had to learn to pivot quickly and make the best of what I had. Being adaptable has helped me stay calm under pressure and find creative solutions in the moment. Advice: Don’t get too attached to perfection. Learn to think on your feet, and trust your instincts.
2) Attention to Detail: In floral design, it’s the little things that elevate the work: the way a ribbon drapes, how the blooms are angled, or how “cleaned up” the petals are. I’ve found that clients may not always be able to articulate what they love but they feel the difference when every detail is considered. Advice: Take pride in the small things and never underestimate the value of double-checking your work.
3) Relationship-Building: One of the most powerful things I’ve done is nurture strong relationships with planners, venues, vendors, and clients. Word-of-mouth referrals and mutual trust have been key to our growth. Advice: Show up with professionalism and kindness. Say yes when you can. Deliver on your promises. People remember how you made them feel.
No matter what field you’re in, success isn’t built overnight. It’s built in the way you respond to challenges, how you care for your work, and the way you treat the people around you.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Our ideal client values intentional design and trusts us to bring their vision to life with creativity and care. They come to us because they’re looking for more than just flowers—they want an experience, an aesthetic, and a partner who can interpret their ideas and elevate them in ways they didn’t even expect.
The best client relationships are collaborative but rooted in trust. We love working with couples or planners who appreciate the art of floral design, are detail-oriented, and understand the value of investing in a cohesive event environment—from ceremony installations to tabletop rentals.
Ultimately, our favorite clients are kind, communicative, and excited about the process. They’re not just handing over a Pinterest board—they’re inviting us into a meaningful chapter of their story, and they give us the creative freedom to make it unforgettable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designsbydillon.com
- Instagram: @designsbydillonnc
- Facebook: @designsbydillonnc
Image Credits
Photographer – Megan Morales Photography
Instagram: @meganmoralesphoto
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
