CityView Magazine

48 | May/June 2017 took me working for another floral designer in Seattle, and then I thought, "Wouldn't it be fun to chuck it all and have a flower shop?" Q: Your floral style is elegant and unique. From where do you draw your inspiration? A: My business is a creative outlet for my art history background and my years of living in Europe. I make sure every bouquet has shape, movement, texture and color. Q: You work with a number of brides. What do you love about your wedding jobs? A: It's high-stakes. People invest a lot of emotion in that day, and a bride's bouquet is a big deal. Knowing that you are a part of a milestone in somebody's life is pretty special Q: Which part of the process is your favorite? A: e reactions! One customer emailed me that her mom thought it was the most beautiful bouquet she'd ever seen. Q: What makes flowers such a timeless gi? Why is it they are perfect for every occasion? A: ey bring something special to your life that is… magical. Q: Who are the gangbusters who helped your business grow? A: Marcus is my biggest cheerleader. He is hugely supportive and even builds garden beds for me. He keeps stacks of my business cards on his desk. One of my biggest customers works with him. Q: What is your version of a bouquet of flowers? A: I love for people to incorporate flowers into their daily life. I do it. It's a great way to bring nature and the seasons into your home and connect with what's blooming. I actually really enjoy getting flowers. Marcus just knows not to buy them from the grocery store! Q: You make it a point to source local blooms. Why is that? A: I am interested in the American-grown flower movement, as local as possible. I'm a small business, so obviously I want to support other small businesses. I appreciate what flower farmers do. Some flowers take years to flower! It's hard work and you don't get rich in this industry. Q: What are your top tips for people when buying a bouquet for someone special? A: Buy locally. Sourcing local makes a big difference in quality, and your flowers will last longer. For people who love to smell flowers, when you buy local, you get that ephemeral magic flower scent. Sonny Kelly, PhD student, Philanthropist, Veteran & espian Sonny Kelly is a beacon of light. He met his wife, Elenah, while they were both serving in the Air Force. Now, a retired veteran while his wife still serves, Sonny is still learning, earning his PhD from UNC Chapel Hill. Get to know him better at sonnykelly.com. Q: Do you prefer darker, deeper roles or being the comedic relief? A: Definitely darker. Playing Iago in Othello was my favorite performance role. I'm naturally a funny guy, so being challenged out of character makes me be better. My wife was very proud of me, amazed. Q: Ever had an "oops moment?" A: It was the top of the play Othello and I see my parents in the audience. I was so excited that I forgot the line, "I am not what I am." ere was a light cue, sound cue, and actor cue, and the actor on stage was staring at me. I never missed that line again! Q: Fayetteville Urban Ministry certainly has your heart. How did you get involved? A: Johnny Wilson called me to run Find-A-Friend. He knew I had the skills to spread light and love. I gave it all I had. His plan was really for me to be Director of Operations and Wildly Cultivated is a creative outlet for Pate's art history background and her years of living in Europe.

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