We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rachel Hiemer. Check out our conversation below.
Rachel, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What battle are you avoiding?
Right now something I have been strongly avoiding doing is setting myself up with a clear schedule and work/life boundaries.
I have two little boys at home that I love SO much and am so proud to be their mom. I also love my business so much and if I could I’d probably do it all the time. Any parent knows that trying to balance being a fully present parent while also running your own business or fulfilling a passion is so hard. I’m struggling to find enough hours in a day to do both fully.
I know I need to set a really clear work schedule and really clear boundaries for when I’m home, but it’s something that is hard to even begin breaking down. The to do list as a mom never ends and neither does the one at work. I think when work is also something you could do nonstop because you love it so much it’s easy to just push and push and not give yourself a break. So definitely something I am currently struggling with and actively avoiding figuring out.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rachel Hiemer, the owner of Little Dove Floral! I’m a floral designer based in Charlotte, NC and I work primarily on weddings and events. I’m obsessed with finding different varieties of flowers that speaks to a more romantic and garden style vibe!
I love collaborating with couples who want to create something that is unique and personal to them. I’m really all about building relationships with clients and finding ways to get them really excited about their wedding flowers. Whether that is through sourcing local flowers, to finding the perfect variety for their vibe, my goal is to make it fun, easy, and have the end result feel just like them.
Wedding flowers can be pretty daunting, and I try to make it really approachable and educational. I’ve been working with flowers for 13 years now and I’m still finding flowers or foliage I’ve never seen. I think getting to explore that with couples through one of the biggest days of their lives is so special!
You shouldn’t have to choose between beautiful work and a beautiful experience.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Professionally, I would say my old boss, Maureen. She was the first one to believe in me in the floral space and had an insane amount of patience through my trials and errors. She gave me a chance when we first worked together in a grocery store floral department. Then she gave me a chance to follow her into a legit flower shop. I went from knowing nothing to being a sponge and trying to learn as much as I possibly could. I was BAD when I first started, but she let me experiment, she’d tell me what I needed to adjust, and how to get better.
Over the years, she was patient, let me learn, ask questions, watch her work, and problem solve. Then when I knew what I was doing, she trusted me with more and more responsibility. Without having Maureen as a mentor, there is no way I would be able to do anything I do today or have the confidence to try. It was a serious gift.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d say it’s okay to not take life too seriously, you’re doing great and things will work themselves out.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I think it’s okay to make less money if you’re genuinely happy and getting to form connections. I’d much rather take on a client that I love and get excited to work with over one that I don’t connect with as much and has a huge budget. I get to work with flowers everyday, joy is the purpose for me and my clients.
Relationships and having a good time mean the world to me and I’d much rather run my business that way. Happiness is far more important than money.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
Oof, this is a tough one and something I’ve been thinking about a lot. Goes back to the first question and how I’m struggling to find work/life boundaries.
If I got rid of my name, role, and possessions, I’d say my relationships would remain. The relationship with my kids, my family, my friends. I think this is the hard part about turning your passion into your job. I don’t know if it’s a bad thing though.
I want my babies to know that doing what they love is SO important and that they don’t have to settle for a job that doesn’t fulfill them. I think it’s probably a good idea to also have hobbies that aren’t necessarily productive as well and something I’m working on doing for myself too. Definitely tough to do in this season of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://littledovefloral.com
- Instagram: @littledovefloral
- Other: email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Drew Furr
