Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Copa & Hattie Sloane.
Hi Molly Copa & Hattie Sloane, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Molly: I have a somewhat unusual route to floral design as a career. I have a Broadcast Journalism degree, but moved to Europe right after college with my husband Tom and was no longer able to work in that field. We started having children, and I was lucky enough to dedicate myself to being a mother and to various volunteer roles for the next several years. With 5 kids and a husband who traveled, it was a full time job! When my youngest was in high school, I started to look for careers and opportunities for my next phase of life. I was looking for something creative, flexible, and something with meaning that would allow me to continue to give back. I began training in floral design through the Texas State Floral Association, and bought an existing business, Flora Fetish, in 2018. Since then, I have been able to expand and grow the business and it’s reach in the community.
Hattie: After completing my Masters degree in Fine Arts I was working as a full time artist in my painting studio but wanted to diversify my creative outlets, so I reached out to to Flora Fetish to see if they were hiring for any position at all. I got hired on the spot for a low level studio assistant/ bucket washing position. Fast Forward 10 years, a new owner (Molly), new studio, and elevated brand later, I am now our Creative Director and Lead Designer. I love applying my deep knowledge of the Fine Arts to the work we create. Color theory, texture, and design are my forte and I love clients that give us creative freedom to develop new ideas and one of a kind designs!
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?
Molly: The learning curve has been huge. Running a business is about so much more than selling the product and the end result. There is the balance of the people you are serving and the people you are employing, and being able to create beautiful work that wows clients while at the same time taking care of your team and yourself. Maintaining that balance while learning everything I have about this business has been an ongoing process. I have an amazing support system with my husband Tom, and an incredibly gifted team with Hattie at the head of it.
Hattie: The road has certainly been meaningful, but not always smooth. When I first started with Flora Fetish, I had an abundance of passion, drive, and dedication—and I was eager to prove myself. But I lacked the tools and boundaries needed to sustain that energy long-term. I poured myself into the work, often at the expense of my own well-being, and quickly learned that burnout isn’t just a concept—it’s very real. One of the most transformative elements in my journey has been having Molly as both a mentor and a support system. Her guidance has given me the space and encouragement to grow—not just as a creative, but as a mindful leader. Over time, I’ve learned to lead from a place of balance, making sure I care for myself so I can better care for our team and clients. That shift has been essential in allowing me to show up with clarity, energy, and genuine inspiration. It’s easy in the live events industry to give everything you have at the expense of your Self, and I’m deeply grateful to work with a company that values me as a person just as much as it values our clients and the unforgettable floral designs we create.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Flora Fetish is an event only floral design company that specializes in weddings, corporate events, and large scale events and celebrations . We are known for our creativity and our artistically designed florals that are truly one of a kind. Our goal is to not only make each event as seamless and stress free as possible for everyone involved, but to create breathtaking floral creations while we do it!. We dedicate ourselves to going above and beyond to surprise and delight our clients with our work.
We believe that flowers can change the world, and in our small corner, we have designed the business to foster that idea. We partner with many local nonprofits and charities for their galas and fundraisers, and to date have donated over $60,000 dollars in in-kind donations. We have also had the honor of donating countless arrangements after events to nursing homes, memory care centers, hospitals, hospice facilities, the Ronald McDonald House, high school floral design programs, and others. The high school programs get to work with flowers they don’t normally see at school, and they take our designs apart and arrange them again to donate them to others . It’s like giving back twice! We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity, which honestly would not be possible without the large scale events we are able to be a part of.
What makes you happy?
Molly :
Personally, happiness comes from living a life that aligns with my core values This means my family, my faith, my health, and the things that bring me joy like friends, food, music, and travel are all in alignment, and I am being mindful and balanced in all of them. It means I am living for others, not just myself, because when you do that, more often than not you end up happy ! I read somewhere that while happiness is based on circumstances, joy is based on purpose. I try to live my life with purpose.
Professionally, nothing makes me happier than to see an idea come to full fruition. A design that goes from the brainstorming phase of an idea that starts with “What if we….?”- to actually creating something so different that no one has done before is an amazing feeling. Walking into a fully designed room after setting up an event or seeing a client’s reaction during the room reveal is always a happy high-five moment.
Hattie:
Creating is my love language. I find so much joy in bringing ideas to life in ways that feel personal and artful. My fine arts background sneaks into everything I do—especially event design—where I get to mix creativity with purpose: designing for causes that give back, working with clients who care, and using art to do tangible good in the world. It’s fulfilling to know that beauty can also have an impact.
But happiness, for me, doesn’t stop at flowers. It’s in the everyday things—painting in my studio, getting my hands dirty in the garden, walking our dogs, or losing track of time in a great book. My husband plays sandlot baseball for the Austin Beermakers, and watching him on the field (alongside our spirited support group, The Beer Drinkers) is its own kind of joy. Whether I’m elbow-deep in flowers, soil, paint, or clay—or simply surrounded by the people and pups I love—my happiest moments are the simple ones, rooted in creativity, connection, and just the right amount of chaos.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://florafetish.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florafetish/
Image Credits
Eryn Chandler
Twofish Photography
Lauren Parr Photography
Jillian Hogan
Joslyn Holtfort Photography
Leigh Carolyn Media
Tim Laielli Photography
