Vanessa Flowers shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Vanessa, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me starts early, usually with about 20 minutes of yoga, catching the news, and grounding myself before everyone else wakes up. Mornings are all about getting my daughter ready for school and easing into the day with intention. Once she’s off to school or activities, I shift into my creative work: planning upcoming Flower Girls Meet gatherings, connecting with partners, and developing new ways to bring reflection, creativity, and care into my community.
I carve out time in the afternoons for writing, cooking, or refining projects like my new cohort program. Evenings are for family and rest. I’m learning to protect that time and to move through life with more softness, intention, and ease.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Vanessa Flowers, a community builder, creative guide, and founder of Flower Girls Meet, a Chicago-based wellness and mental health community rooted in storytelling, reflection, and care. What makes Flower Girls Meet unique is how personal it is. It was born from my own journey navigating hormonal issues, isolation, and burnout, and it’s grown into a vibrant community that helps women feel seen, supported, and inspired. Through intimate events, creative collaborations, and thoughtful partnerships, we create experiences that center softness, healing, and joy.
Right now, I’m brainstorming what next year might look like, possibly including a retreat, more storytelling, and a new seasonal series designed to support women through life’s transitions with intention and care.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mentor, the late Renee Ferguson of NBC5 Chicago, saw me clearly before I could see myself. She told me I was a storyteller from the very beginning and truly invested in me, even allowing me to intern for her in the investigative reporting department when I was only 14. That experience was life-changing. It taught me how to tell powerful stories and helped me understand the importance of connection and that we shouldn’t be afraid to share what happens to us, because storytelling is healing.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was sad or scared as a child, journaling helped me feel less alone. I would journal to God and ask Him to help me. I’d write and write, sometimes until I had nothing left to say and somehow, it always helped. Putting my thoughts and feelings down on paper gave me clarity, comfort, and a sense of release. That practice has stayed with me. These days, I use the iPhone’s journaling app, the Notes app, and even voice notes, whatever helps me get the feelings out. I still keep physical journals too. Journaling continues to be a powerful healing tool in my life, and it’s something we often incorporate into our Flower Girls Meet events as well!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, absolutely! Authenticity is something I pride myself on. What you see online is what you get in person. I’ve shared openly about my health challenges, my hormonal struggles, loss, and even difficulties in relationships. I’ve always wanted to be a person of integrity and honesty, and I think that’s something people feel from me whether we meet online or face to face. I’ve been told I’m genuine, real, and, if I do say so myself, pretty cool!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I lived in service, creating spaces that reminded people to care for themselves. That my legacy is helping others remember their worth: that no job, relationship, or situation should make you forget how valuable you are. I hope people will say I encouraged them to choose themselves, to honor what truly works for them, and to build lives rooted in self-worth, not people-pleasing. In care, not comparison.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://FlowerGirlsMeet.com
- Instagram: @flowergirlsmeet
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessalflowers
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
