Today we’d like to introduce you to Dillon Drake.
Hi Dillon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started Designs by Dillon after designing florals for a friend’s wedding. I’ve always had a passion for design, decorating, and gardening, and that experience made me realize I could turn something I genuinely loved into a business. What began as a side project quickly grew through word of mouth and social media.
In the beginning, everything operated out of a small 500-square-foot apartment. We were processing flowers in tight spaces and using a window A/C unit just to help keep blooms fresh. As the business continued to grow, we moved into a house where we worked under the carport and eventually added a commercial walk-in cooler. In 2020, we took a huge leap and moved into our first commercial studio space, which completely changed what we were able to offer our clients. Then in 2023, we expanded again into a second unit with additional warehouse space, offices, and a conference room to support the growth of both our floral and rental operations.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to design florals for some incredibly large and meaningful weddings and events, which is something I’m very proud of. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been earning the trust of clients to bring their visions to life and watching those ideas come together in a beautiful way.
None of it would have been possible without the support of my husband, Kyle, our amazing team, family, friends, and loyal clients who have supported us from the beginning. What started as a creative outlet has grown into a business that allows us to create meaningful experiences and beautiful spaces for people during some of the most important moments of their lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like many small businesses, there were a lot of long days, uncertainty, and growing pains along the way. In the early years, we were doing everything ourselves – processing flowers late into the night, delivering events, cleaning containers, handling emails, and trying to balance the creative side with the business side. Working out of a small apartment and later under a carport came with plenty of challenges, especially when trying to manage large quantities of fresh flowers and rental inventory in limited space.
One of the biggest challenges was learning how to grow sustainably while still maintaining the level of quality and service we wanted to provide. As demand increased, so did the pressure, and there were times where it felt overwhelming trying to juggle multiple large-scale events at once. The wedding and event industry can also be unpredictable, and navigating things like supply chain issues, rising costs, weather challenges, and the impact of COVID required a lot of adaptability and resilience.
At the same time, those challenges taught us some of our most valuable lessons. We learned how important it is to build a strong team, stay organized, trust the process, and continue evolving. Looking back, the difficult seasons helped shape the business into what it is today and made the successes feel even more rewarding.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Designs by Dillon, we specialize in luxury wedding and event florals. Our work ranges from intimate celebrations to large-scale weddings and events, and we also offer an extensive rental collection to help bring each client’s vision to life. We’re known for creating designs that feel thoughtful, elevated, and highly personalized while paying close attention to every detail.
Over the years, we’ve become especially known for large floral installations, statement ceremony designs, elegant reception spaces, and creating cohesive event experiences from start to finish.
What I’m most proud of is how far the business has come from such humble beginnings. Starting in a small apartment and growing into a full studio and warehouse operation has been incredibly rewarding, but even more meaningful has been building a team that shares the same passion and care for what we do. Seeing clients trust us with such important moments in their lives is something I never take for granted.
I think what sets us apart is the level of care, creativity, and personalization we bring to every event. We truly invest ourselves in each project and work hard to make sure every design feels unique to that client rather than repeating the same look over and over. We also focus heavily on the overall experience, not just creating beautiful florals, but ensuring the entire process feels organized, collaborative, and enjoyable from beginning to end.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned throughout this journey is the importance of staying true to your vision while being willing to evolve and grow. When I first started, I never imagined the business would become what it is today, but every season has helped shape the path forward.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support system that has surrounded me throughout the years, especially my husband, Kyle, our amazing team, family, friends, and the clients who have trusted us with such meaningful moments in their lives. Small businesses truly thrive because of community support, and I never take that for granted.
I’d also encourage anyone pursuing a creative career to not be afraid of starting small. Some of the most meaningful growth comes from simply taking the first step, staying consistent, and continuing to learn along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designsbydillon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designsbydillonnc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designsbydillonnc
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@designsbydillonnc
