Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Madeline Hernandez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Madeline, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I gave birth to my second son in 2020, naturally at Babymoon Inn. We were a couple days away from ending the year and still unsure of when life would return to ‘normal’. I took my 6 weeks maternity leave and then balanced working from home full time and caring for my sons. A few months later, I realized COVID had shifted my priorities and going back to work at the office was just not at the top of my list anymore.
I left my career to become a stay at home mom. Honestly, it was a difficult decision and transition to make. My education and career had defined me up until this very point. It’s my husband’s constant encouragement to use this time wisely and chase my dreams that later led to the creation of Florecita in 2022. It took me a couple years to really figure it out. I was mainly teaching yoga during this time and then Valentine’s 2022 came. The idea to sell flowers at the farmers market manifested from loving the market but never seeing quality flowers.
When starting Florecita I had no idea the amount of love it would receive. The community I felt was overwhelming and the very thing that keeps me showing up to this day. It’s that feeling that comes up when you know you’re on the right path, and just a little bit closer to where you’ve always wanted to be.
What I realize now though as I’ve embarked on this entrepreneur journey is that it’s not about where I think I should be, or where I want to be. It’s about where I am right now and the lessons I’m learning currently. I couldn’t have told you I’d be here 2 years ago and I hope 2 years from now I’m still not able to say where I’ll be but I hope I am still learning and growing and embracing the journey rather than waiting to arrive at my destination.
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?
I’m Madeline. I was born in Boston, MA and moved to Arizona on a whim in 2016 after a backpacking trip to India. I am the founder, master florist and creative designer for Florecita, the valleys freshest flower company. I specialize in creating timeless, quality designs that elevate the ordinary.
Coming this March we will also be starting to offer a floral workshop experience, so bring yourself, bring your friends or family and learn come learn the love language of flowers too.
Check out our instagram and website for more information.
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. The ability to take risks, 2. Resiliency and 3. Authenticity
If you’ve had a crazy dream, or thought, that just won’t leave you alone – pursue it. As the late Charles Bukowski once wrote: “find what you love and let it kill you. Let it drain you of all your remains.”
It wont be easy but you must remain resilient enough to handle the hardships that will come and always, always show up as yourself.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
I’d be running the same marathon I am now. Still trying to unlearn bad habits, Still trying to step into my best self. A big part of entrepreneurship really is getting out of your own way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.florecitaphx.com
- Instagram: @florecitaphx
Image Credits
Denisse Leyva, @leyva.media
