Meet Elise Romero | Independent Floral Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elise Romero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elise, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
The thing about work life balance that I have learned has been understanding that it will never be perfectly and evenly balanced. I have learned that flexibility and listening to body is very important. I think sometimes your work demands more of your time and if you’re lucky and it’s something you love, you tend to readily pour more of your time and attention into it. As things get busier for me, I am the only person to do the work! If I don’t do it, it doesn’t get done so, at the moment I am erring on the side of overworking. Other times, I listen to my body – am I feeling depleted, uninspired, am I not finding joy in the work? – then it’s time I factor in a break. The most important thing, I feel, is to be able to know when you are at your best and be able to make time to recharge to stay there. I know that may go against what most people (especially in the U.S.) are taught or believe but as a creative person, rest and recharging is so imperative to my work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am taking this creative journey one step at a time and easing into it, listening to my intuition to guide it where it needs to go. It took me a while to decide to start this – it was definitely a pandemic pivot that I didn’t originally intend on being my business. It was early on, last year (2020), that I started consistently buying flowers and arranging them in my own way. I have always bought myself flowers to perk up my mood or space and this was just a continuation of that with more focus. I started an Instagram to show my work and my arrangements got some good response so I started posting more and experimenting with different styles. I opened up orders to friends and family and it gave me such satisfaction to be able to share something I had created to connect people to one another when we all needed to stay apart. We couldn’t give each other hugs but flowers seemed like a creative alternative to an expression of that. The feeling of giving and receiving flowers is so heartfelt and special.

I see my work as more sculptural, using color, shape and texture to guide the final piece. I never really know what an arrangement is going to look like. I buy flowers based on what is available and let the shapes of the flowers guide me. It may sound silly but I let them tell me what they want to be. Another important thing for me is having as low of an impact as possible on the planet. I use seasonal and local flowers when available and stay away from floral foam as much as possible. I am working to use more recycled elements and buy second hand vases or start a vase return / recycling program…just working that out. I like that Austin has a composting program and when your flowers have lived their lives and served their purpose, we can add them back to the soil.

Most of my lessons have been in testing and learning my limits. I want to say “yes” to every job, but as I’m growing I need to know what I can and can’t handle on my own. I want to challenge myself but still be able to deliver my best work. Finding that balance is still a work in progress.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love being outdoors so I would definitely take them stand up paddle boarding or kayaking, swimming in Barton Springs, and maybe even hiking the greenbelt – all on different days of course! I love walking up and down South Congress and even the cute neighborhoods behind it. Some of my favorites spots on South Congress are Manana for coffee, Esby always has the best clothes, Noah Marion has the best gifts, and June’s and The Meteor are perfect spots to have dinner. I’d also give them a very Texas experience and take them to the Broken Spoke for some honky tonk vibes and two-stepping! I have really missed going out dancing this past year!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so lucky to have the support of my immediate and extended family. I come from a large family and it feels so amazing to have so many cheerleaders on this journey. My parents have been the biggest support in so many ways – from outfitting me with the gear I didn’t know I needed, helping me deliver my orders, to just sweeping the floor to help clear my space and my mind. I feel so very lucky to have family in my corner!

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