Although it sometimes feels like it happened overnight, turning my backyard garden into a cut flower business took time. I grew Hidden Springs seed by seed, season by season—and all while raising three kids.

Looking back, there were a few pivotal choices that helped me move from a little hobby to a full-fledged business. Today, I want to share three of the most important lessons from that journey.

1. Determine your market before you plant

How and where you’ll sell your flowers plays just as big a role in your success as what you grow. Your sales outlets affect everything: which flowers you plant, how much you plant, and how you prepare them for customers.

Mixed bouquets or bunches? Wholesale or retail? Subscriptions or custom orders? These decisions shape your entire growing plan.

Back in my early days, I wasn’t sure where my business was headed. But one of the best decisions I made was launching a subscription program in year 1. Subscriptions created recurring customers and recurring revenue—and they’ve remained one of the biggest drivers of growth in my business year after year.

Find my tips for starting a subscription program here!

2. Define a style that sets you apart

What makes your bouquets memorable? Maybe it’s a signature flower, a unique color palette, or even an unexpected element you add to every bunch.

Your style is what keeps your customers coming back. It’s the thing that makes your flowers yours.

When my business started to grow, I brought in extra help for bouquet making. Even with recipes and practice, though, the arrangements didn’t quite look like mine—and my customers noticed. That experience taught me how important my personal touch was.

Now, I hire help with planting, weeding, and processing stems so I can focus on making bouquets and preserving the look and feel that defines Hidden Springs. 

Find a few of my go-to summer bouquet recipes here.

3. Build a business that fits your life

The business has grown, but my biggest priority has always been creating a life that works for my family. That means planning around nap times, batching tasks, and giving myself grace when things don’t go perfectly.

There have been times when I lost sight of this balance—and both my family and my business suffered for it. When I keep my priorities straight, everything else falls into place. I know it’s easier said than done, but this is a lesson I continue to learn through each and every season.

Final thoughts

Wherever you are in your journey—dreaming, just starting, or already growing—I hope these lessons encourage you. You don’t have to do everything at once. Focus on one step at a time, and you’ll be amazed at how much can change in a season or two.

Have you learned a lesson like this in your own journey? I’d love to hear—share your thoughts in the comments below.