Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Ammons.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a 5th-generation Texan, hard work has always been in my blood. I was raised by my single mother on a small farm in north Texas. My childhood was not the white-picket-fence fairytale that some were lucky to become accustomed to, but it’s my story, and why “True Grit” is more than a movie title, it’s my livelihood.
I have lived in Austin, Texas for the last 15 years. I started as a bartender on Dirty 6th, but the late nights and drunken tourists paid off as I was able to pursue my passion for business. I completed my undergraduate degree and in 2019, I received my M.B.A. from Texas A&M University, and it was this experience that helped shape who I am today – a powerful female entrepreneur.
In 2020, my world came crashing down when my mother was diagnosed with Non-Melanoma Melanoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Between her cancer diagnosis and the COVID-19 Pandemic, our family was faced with the toughest battle of our lives. In desperate need for a positive and creative outlet, I began to really lean into my love for floral design which quickly evolved from a distraction into a full-blown passion project. My mother is now cancer-free and I am living out my entrepreneurial dreams as the proud owner of Wild Flora, a thriving female-owned floral business.
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?
I am a female entrepreneur and small-business owner working in a very niche industry. Opportunities do not come as freely to me as they might come to more established brands (e.g., 1-800 Flowers, etc.). The floral industry is a very competitive market and I have to work twice as hard as other big-name corporations. I live my life by Bobby Bones’ “Fight. Grind. Repeat.” mantra. I am very proud to be a woman-owned business, and no one and nothing will stop my hustle.
Wild Flora is a Farm-to-Florist organization – I get my flowers straight from local farms here in central Texas instead of outsourcing them from massive flower wholesalers because I feel strongly about supporting local small businesses like my own and strive to be as sustainable as possible. Due to the unpredictability of inflation and what costs will be like in the future, it is becoming increasingly harder to book events further out. With that being said, I firmly believe that there is a solution for every challenge; you just have to be willing to put in the work and tap into that “True Grit” I touched on earlier. The sky’s the limit, and with my optimism, creative ingenuity, and self-confidence, Wild Flora will quickly prove to be a worthy adversary in the floral design business.
As you know, we’re big fans of Wild Flora. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Living a colorful life full of creative intent and freedom, I consider myself to be an artist first, with flowers as my medium. I have always loved flowers, how they look, smell, and most of all, how they evoke emotion. Wild Flora is more than just floral design and wedding bouquets, it is where my visions come to life. From personal and corporate events to full-blown art installations, every project is 100% custom-made. I create immersive experiences that are designed around the emotion that the client wants their guests to feel. I am always learning and evolving. In such a niche industry, I understand the importance of staying up to date with market trends and techniques, however it is the uniqueness and ingenuity that I bring to my arrangements that really sets Wild Flora apart from the others – going against the grain is where I thrive. I love to create something that no one else has before. No two designs are alike.
Wild Flora has partnered with many local Austin businesses and was recently awarded Best Bespoke Floral Design Studio – Austin by LUXlife Magazine’s 2022 Global Wedding Awards (TBA in May).
For inquiries, reach out to hello@atxwildflora.com.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@atxwildflora.com
- Website: www.atxwildflora.com
- Instagram: @atxwildflora
Image Credits
Ngan Huynh, Owner of Proof of Shutter (Instagram @ProofofShutter) for main photo and the first photo in the group of my adjusting the same bouquet as in the main photo. Mayesh Houston for the last image of the flower pull. (Instagram @mayeshhouston).
