Meet Jenn Donaldson: Jenn Donaldson, Owner/lead florist designer

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

Hi Jenn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I think I’ve always seen the world through a different lens than others. Around the age of 15 I would go to my Aunts and watch her design flowers for weddings and make the most luxurious cakes. She saw the passion in me and started teaching me her techniques. It stirred something in me that never went away. For years I would help out at weddings, making arrangements, doing hair, even helping with cakes but always on the side. For some reason I never saw my passion as something that could turn into a career. Fast forward 25 years later, and I’m questioning what I want to do with my life. All my “babies” are now in high school. Here I am almost 40, my oldest son a Senior, middle daughter a Sophomore, and youngest son a freshman asking myself the same exact questions my own kids are asking, “What do I really want to do with my life?” I no longer felt needed in the sense a mom feels when her kids are younger. It didn’t help that I had been in deep mourning for over a year from the sudden and unexpected death of my best friend. I knew I had to get out and do something productive with my life. Every time I thought about pursuing my career in nursing I would get overwhelmed and anxious. I love decorating and occasionally would post pictures of my home decor designs on Instagram. One day I received a call from a wedding venue near me. They had seen my decorating account and asked if I wanted to decorate their bridal suite. I was thrilled! The first time I went they gave me a tour and a light bulb went off in my head. I realized I should be doing what I love and had an opportunity to show my kids that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. I went home and excitedly exclaimed to my husband that I wanted to start my own wedding floral business. Without any hesitation he told me to go for it! 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I knew it was risky starting a company during Covid when the wedding industry was taking such a hard hit from so many cancelled events, but I went for it. I thought it would be a very slow growing business but I have never been one to do things half way. I went full steam ahead! I taught myself how to set up my own website and watched endless seminars on how to advertise my business. I became licensed and became a professional certified florist. I sent out emails and made phone calls daily telling venues about our services. I have learned so much from how to organize styled shoots to the importance of becoming a preferred vendor. What I love about our company is that I saw a huge void in this industry and decided we needed to make a change. There are so many couples out there, for whatever reason, do not want to spend money on fresh flowers. Allergies, expense, traveling to another location for their wedding, or maybe they just want to be able to keep their flowers forever. The only problem is you have to search to find what you want and choose from what is already made. You lose out on the opportunity to get something beautifully designed especially for you. Bummer right? We offer high quality faux flowers that are customized for every couple. You get the same experience you would get using a fresh flowered florist only with an extra perk. You get to keep your bouquet, boutonniere and anything your bridal party holds or wears. Did you know that faux flowers are not just silk flowers? We offer silk flowers, sola wood flowers, latex and foam flowers. It’s incredible really! I’m still amazed every time a couple books me. I am so proud that our company is able to provide so much happiness to couples who now have more options for their special day! We are literally learning and expanding as we grow. We also offer backdrops, faux floral arrangements and fresh flower arrangements. We even incorporate both faux and real, and guess what…no one can ever tell the real from the faux! Faux Real!! 

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 antiquing so I would take them to Fredericksburg. It is a beautiful drive and actually has mountain scenery. There are a lot of winery’s and little shops all along the main street. One of my favorite restaurants offer German food and delicacies and the staff dresses in traditional German clothing too! The thing I love the most about Fredericksburg is trade days. You go from barn to barn where everyone has little shops set up. This is where you find all kinds of treasures. Not everything is antiques though, many of the vendors there are people that provide unique handmade items. I love supporting small businesses from hard working Texans! 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Ronnie. I am more of the visionary while he is the man behind the scenes that makes my visions come to life. He works as a senior engineer to provide for his family, yet always finds time to help me. Not only does he build our large backdrops, photo booths, props, etc. but he also helps setting up and tearing down for weddings. He is my biggest fan and supporter! When I came to him out of the blue one day five months ago and told him I had this dream of starting my own wedding floral business; without any hesitation he said, “Let’s do it!” We are a team, there is absolutely no way I could be successful in this business without his continual love and support!

Website: https://www.fauxtasticfloralcreations.com/
Instagram: @fauxtasticfloralcreations
Facebook: @fauxtasticfloralcreations
Other: Google: Google.com/fauxtasticfloralcreations

Image Credits
Bride standing on bridge with sunflower headpiece and succulent bouquet: The Feng Media Bride with yellow flowers in hair and yellow and blue bouquet: The Feng Media Bride sitting in red chair picture: Grace Rose Photography Boho Bride with feather and brown bouquet: Ronika Ramos Photography