From Garden to Blooms: How Floret Changed My Path Forever

From Garden to Blooms: How Floret Changed My Path Forever Sometimes, life opens unexpected doors when we least expect it. In this blog post, I share my transformative journey from a gardener focused on pollinators to discovering the magic of cut flowers through Floret’s online workshop. What started as a leap of faith during a challenging time turned into a path of growth, healing, and new opportunities. Now, through HortiFlora Wellness, I’m blending floral design with mindfulness and well-being to help others experience the power of flowers. Join me in this journey—explore our floral wellness workshops and discover the magic for yourself! 🌸✨

Kelly Kellogg

3/8/20253 min read

From Garden to Blooms: How Floret Changed My Path Forever

There are moments in life that alter your path in ways you never expected. Watching The Beautiful Pursuit documentary, I found myself overwhelmed with emotion—gratitude, nostalgia, and deep appreciation. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance, inspiration, and knowledge I gained from Floret and Erin Benzakein’s team.

Back in 2019, I was a gardener, but my focus was on herbs, vegetables, and pollinators. Flowers? They were strictly for the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—not for cutting! The idea of growing flowers for harvesting felt foreign, almost wrong. But I had reached a turning point. I was in the middle of personal chaos—recovering from burnout, a difficult separation, financial instability, and the lingering impact of Hurricane Maria. I knew I needed something new to propel me forward.

The Unexpected Gift That Changed Everything

When I applied for Floret’s online workshop, I was overjoyed to make the top ten list—but that meant that I was not chosen. I won’t lie—I was devastated. I had pinned my hopes on this opportunity, believing it would be the steppingstone I needed to rebuild my life. But in that moment of disappointment, I reminded myself:

"If this is not the way, another way will be shown to me."

And just two days later, God answered. I received an unexpected email from Floret—sponsors had stepped in, and I was being offered a spot in the course! I can’t explain the overwhelming gratitude, relief, and hope I felt at that moment. That workshop wasn’t just about learning to grow cut flowers—it was about learning how to start over. It helped me believe in Magic once again and regained a sense of hope that to this day I still feel in my heart as it was yesterday.

From Student to Florist, Designer & Educator

Armed with the deep, practical knowledge Floret provided, I dove headfirst into the world of cut flowers. I practiced in real time, learning from my mistakes, refining my techniques, and slowly, the doors started opening.

Since then, my journey has led me to:

Working with local garden centers and landscaping companies
Leasing a flower shop for several months
Gaining hands-on experience at an incredible farm where I get to work from seed to design
Expanding my knowledge and blending it with my background in wellness

But beyond the techniques and business experience, flowers became a tool for healing, both for myself and others.

HortiFlora Wellness: Where Flowers & Well-Being Meet

Now, I’m channeling everything I’ve learned—gardening, floral design, and the profound connection between flowers and well-being—into my new project: HortiFlora Wellness. This isn’t just about floral arranging. It’s about:

Using flowers as a tool for mindfulness and self-care
Creating immersive workshops that help people connect with nature on a deeper level
Sharing the healing power of flowers through hands-on experiences

If you're looking for a unique floral experience that nurtures both creativity and well-being, I invite you to book an experience with HortiFlora Wellness Workshops. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, there’s something magical waiting for you in the flowers.