Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Doyle.
Hi Shannon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love for plants and working outdoors began when I was a teenager. I worked at a small retail nursery, where I became fascinated with flowers and the process of watching them grow, bloom, and produce fruits and vegetables. That early interest led me to enroll in the horticulture program at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, where I studied landscape design.
Over the years, I gained experience in many different areas of horticulture, from growing flowers at a local nursery and managing landscaping crews to working as a horticulturist for Chesterfield County.
In 2017, I moved to the Dominican Republic, where I worked in destination wedding tourism. During my time there, I loved exploring the tropical landscape, foraging for flowers and greenery, and experimenting with floral designs using the local flora. Eventually, I had the opportunity to work as a florist for several event villas, which marked the beginning of my journey into wedding and event floristry.
In early 2021, I returned to Richmond and entered what would become a transformative chapter of my life. I spent that time focusing on personal growth and creating a life that felt meaningful and fulfilling. I reconnected with my good friend, Tori Anderson, owner of Fleuressence, and began working alongside her in floral design.
During those years, I discovered the art of floral preservation, and something about it really resonated with me. Having spent so much time working in the wedding and event industry, I had seen countless arrangements discarded after celebrations. I loved the idea of taking something so fleeting and giving it a new life as a lasting piece of art. And that is how Heirbloom Creative began.
I started experimenting with resin preservation first and eventually began creating pressed floral frames. Most of my clientele are brides looking to preserve their bridal bouquets but I also have the privilege of helping people save flowers from memorials, baby showers and other precious life moments. Connecting people to some of their lives most meaningful moments through floral preservation has been an absolute joy and honor.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the path that brought me here. Heirbloom is more than a creative outlet or a business to me. It’s a reflection of what can happen when you give yourself the opportunity to grow.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road! Starting a business on my own has been a huge learning experience and required a confidence I had not always possessed. I found putting my art out for the world to see made me feel very vulnerable at the beginning. Social media in particular is still challenging for me today,.
Also, while had years of experience working with flowers, floral preservation was something entirely new to me. There was a lot of trial and error in the beginning, and I’ve spent countless hours experimenting with different techniques and figuring out what works best. Flowers can be unpredictable, and no two bouquets are ever quite the same, so I’m constantly learning.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to run a business while also being the person creating everything. There are so many things that go on behind the scenes that I never really considered when I first started. As Heirbloom has grown, I’ve had to learn how to manage my time, set boundaries, and find ways to keep up with demand without sacrificing the quality of my work.
It’s been challenging at times, but also incredibly rewarding. I still have so much to learn, and I think that’s part of what keeps it interesting for me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in preserving sentimental flowers and transforming them into one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Most of my work involves wedding bouquets, but I also preserve flowers from other meaningful occasions. I primarily work with pressed flowers, carefully drying and arranging each bloom into a custom framed piece.
One of my favorite parts of the process is designing the layout. Every bouquet is different, and I love finding ways to bring out the natural beauty, movement, and character of the flowers. I want each piece to feel like a work of art in its own right, while still capturing the essence of the original bouquet.
I take a lot of pride in the quality of my work and the attention to detail that goes into each piece. I want my client to see a new detail everytime their look at this preservation. Floral preservation is a delicate process, and there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes to create something that will last. I’m always refining my techniques, exploring new designs, and finding ways to improve what I offer.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think the floral preservation industry is still very small and niche, but it is growing quickly and word is spreading about it’s existence. Within the last 1-2 years, business has started to boom, and I find that I cannot keep up with the demand as a one woman operation and also new mother to the sweetest 10 month old baby girl. I am excited to be at a place where I need to decide to keep a very limited number of projects so that I can manage it on my own, or hire help and see how I can grow further
Pricing:
- $350 order minimum for all projects
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HeirbloomCreative.com
- Instagram: @heirbloomcreative
