Looking Back on 2021 with Joy
There were so many causes for heartache, frustration, disappointment, and loss in 2021, but when I look back on the year for Terra Cotta Blooms, I’m filled with joy. So many wonderful things happened and I’m thankful for every opportunity I’ve been given. But most of all, I’m thankful for YOU!
Meeting all of you, hearing about your lives, and watching you enjoy the flowers I’ve grown has been an amazing experience. Thank you for supporting my small business in the first year–Congratulations, that makes you an OG member of the fan club!
As 2022 has begun, I wanted to be sure to take some time and remember all of the wonderful things that did happen this year and I thought it would be fun to share some of the other highlights from 2021 (besides you, of course). So let’s take a peek into what happened over here at Terra Cotta Blooms:
Back to School: In January, I took the Floret Online Workshop which gave me the tools and inspiration to turn my flower idea into a reality. This course was loaded with information and I couldn’t have had such a successful growing year without this course.
I Grew Flowers: This may seem like a no-brainer for a business that is built on growing and selling locally grown cut flowers, but it was a first for me. My first ever flower bloomed in February and I was ecstatic! I was instantly hooked on growing flowers and this tiny flower was proof to me that I really could do this.
It’s Official: Terra Cotta Blooms became an official LLC in Texas in March, and I began dreaming and setting goals for the remainder of the year. It also came with a bunch of paperwork and new responsibilities (like taxes…) that I’m still figuring out along the way.
Off to Market: One of my goals for the year was to sell my flowers at two farmers markets and I met this goal! I sold at Red Tent Markets at The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, once in July and once in September. The best part of the markets was meeting a lot of you there and interacting with other vendors throughout the day.
First Event: I was excited and nervous to have the opportunity to design centerpieces for the fundraiser luncheon for Hope’s Door in September. It was my first ever event and 30 centerpieces seemed both thrilling and overwhelming. In the end, it worked out beautifully and I was so proud to see my designs lighting up the tables in the ballroom. A special shoutout goes to Bishop Hill Farm Flowers, Everbloom Fields, Little Seed Flowers, and Aunt Sue’s Barn for welcoming me onto their farms and selling me their locally grown flowers to make this large event possible.
Share the Joy: At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to give away 25 bunches/arrangements of flowers by December 31, 2021. This was very important to me and was a big reason for deciding to grow flowers in the first place. It started with my kids and I delivering flowers to our neighbors as we took our dog on her morning walk, and it grew to sharing flowers with grocery store clerks, church staff members, local non-profit organizations, healthcare workers, and people experiencing loss. Through it all, I was reminded of how much every person desires to be seen, needs to be encouraged, and wants to be loved. 50+ arrangements later, I’m convinced that flowers are one of the most beautiful ways to help meet the needs of our community.
So after a whirlwind year of personal struggles and an ongoing worldwide pandemic, it feels strange to say that 2021 was good to me, but it truly was. I’m thankful for this past year and I’m looking forward to 2022 and all the ways I can interact with you as we share joy and beauty through locally grown flowers.