Reflections on flowers, horses, hustle, and the courage to keep going

As we end 2025, I find myself reflecting on the little girl in me—the one who never imagined that being a florist could be a real career, let alone a life as an artist. Back then, I didn’t know “floral designer” was a thing you could be. I just knew I wanted to work, earn money, go to the movies, shop for clothes, and pay for gas and car insurance. The hustle was real.

I woke up at 4:00 a.m. and sometimes worked until 9:00 at night. I had to stay focused—because at 18, my mom gently kicked me out, and I got my first apartment on the beach. That’s where I truly started my business. No one paid my bills. No one helped me. I had to be in charge of everything.

I even had moments on commercials and TV shows. I had an agent. I modeled—but I hated it. What I loved was being the brand, being the face of flowers. I stood strong in that truth.

At 23, I opened my flower shop in Redondo Beach. I had outgrown my Hermosa store—and my garage. I was fearless. I was willing to sacrifice anything to protect my dream, my business, my livelihood. Looking at a photo of myself from that time, I can now say to that girl: I’m so proud of you. You did such a good job. You never quit.

She showed up—over and over—through hundreds of events and weddings, through countless funerals, and for thousands of clients who walked through her doors. She gave 100% every single time.

I remember hitting my 10-year anniversary in business—it flew by. And now I’m approaching 30 years as a professional florist. That’s pretty wild. I never knew flowers could pay for my whole life—my car, my home, my horses, my everything. But they did. And they still do.

Following your heart isn’t easy. It requires letting things go. It demands sacrifice.

This morning, I was riding my horse during a training lesson. He was unstable, and my trainer said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“It’s okay to take ten steps back. Sometimes you need to take five more back before you move forward.”

It felt like business. How many times have I been trotting along—only to step back ten times just to move forward twice? It’s frustrating. It’s humbling. And yet, it’s necessary.

Flowers are the heart and soul of my life. Horses are the connection to my heart and soul. Their vibration is similar. They demand presence. They don’t allow shortcuts.

People laugh when they see me now and say I look like a western girl. They ask if I know it’s the Year of the Horse. I didn’t—even though 2026 will be one. And something about that feels right.

Because next year is going to be incredible.
My book is coming out in major retail stores.
There will be podcasts. Speaking events. Conversations about entrepreneurship I never knew I’d have.

And it’s made me think deeply about success.

Is success what you own?
How much money is in the bank?
How many five-star reviews you have?

I think success is simpler—and deeper.

Success is being able to look in the mirror and love who you see.
To feel proud. Confident. At peace.

The flower shop is my livelihood.
The horses are my hobby, my movement, my nature, my medicine.

My life is pretty darn magical.

If you stay in gratitude—for the heartbreak, the highs, the lows, all of it—and you keep going, something beautiful happens. Like riding a horse, you must keep your eyes forward. You can’t look behind. You can’t look to the side.

A horse, like business, teaches you this one truth:
Look forward. Trust the direction. And keep riding.