Meet Kristina Fitzpatrick

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristina Fitzpatrick. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kristina, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Success in any field isn’t guaranteed by the presence or absence of competitors, nor is there a universal key that works for everyone. In my journey as a large-scale paper flower artist, I’ve learned that perseverance and experimentation are crucial.

Creating large-scale paper flowers is a unique and rare form of decor, with very few artists specializing in it across the country. This uniqueness has been both a challenge and an opportunity for me. I’ve worked hard and experimented with various tools to find clients, different ways to promote myself, and a variety of materials to create different types of flowers.

Many of my efforts didn’t yield immediate results, but each attempt provided valuable lessons and led me to the techniques and approaches that ultimately brought success. Through trial and error, I discovered the strategies that work best for my business. This process of continual learning and adaptation has been key to my effectiveness, even when I’m the only one in the room who looks like me.

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?

Thank you for your question. I’ve been in business since I was 18 because it’s my passion and, in my opinion, the shortest path to having the freedom of choice while actively making the world a better place. I believe that we often excel in activities we enjoy or could pursue as hobbies. I’ve always been creative, enjoyed crafting, and loved flowers. However, I dislike the idea of expending so many resources (water, electricity, etc.) for flowers that only last a few hours at an event and then end up in the garbage.

As much as I love fresh flowers, I started thinking about eco-friendly alternatives. When I discovered pictures of paper flowers, I was absolutely impressed and decided to give it a try! I started everything by myself in my tiny room on Rockaway Beach, and now we are working with top world companies. I have a team of seven amazing people, and we are operating in New York, Miami, and Houston. Additionally, I have an online store where I sell materials to make flowers and offer masterclasses.

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, the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are vision, discipline, and the willingness to try new things.

First is vision. You need to have a clear idea of where you want to go and why it’s important to you. This can’t just be a popular goal; it has to be something that genuinely excites you. When you know your “why,” you’ll find your way through the “how.”

Second is discipline, especially the discipline to keep working hard without immediate rewards. Success often requires sustained effort over a long period, and the ability to stay focused and committed during those times is crucial.

Third, always try something new. If you’re not getting the results you’re happy with, don’t keep repeating the same actions that brought you to that result. New results come with new actions. Try a different way of advertising, explore a new niche, or collaborate with someone who can help you reach new clients. Even if you don’t get exactly what you expected, you never know what new opportunities it can bring.

My advice for those early in their journey is to develop a clear vision, cultivate discipline, and embrace experimentation. Keep pushing forward, and don’t be afraid to change your approach. Each step, even if it seems small or unexpected, brings you closer to your ultimate goal. Keep going!

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

My biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months has been managing to grow my business significantly while navigating the challenges of being a single mom to a 2-year-old and facing a divorce. Last year was incredibly tough, but it also marked the biggest jump in my business. I believe this growth happened because having a young child and no choice but to succeed pushed me to work harder and smarter. This experience has not only strengthened my resilience but also reaffirmed my passion and dedication to my craft and my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paperandflowersnyc.com
• Instagram: @paper_and_flowers