From stuck to BOOKED OUT! Sophie's 75k floral business leap in just one year

Listen to the full interview on the Behind the Stems podcast. In this episode, I’m chatting with Sophie, flower farmer, wedding florist, and longtime Wildflower Academy member, about her incredible growth over the past year.

From feeling stuck, scared to post, and unsure if floristry could ever be a "real business"...To fully booked seasons, over $75K in revenue, 20 weddings, $10k budgets, dream freelance gigs, and finally stepping into the creative, strategic business owner she always was.

We talk about:

• The mindset shift that changed everything

• Her journey from DIY branding to confident, high-end bookings

• Freelancing for her florist heroes and what she learned

• Why storytelling content helped her grow faster than polished posts ever could

• How she sets (and smashes) her goals with clarity and joy

Whether you’re in your first year or fifth, Sophie’s story is the reminder we all need: You don’t have to wait to be ready. You just have to start.

Meet Sophie: Florist, Farmer, Dreamer

Sophie is about to rebrand her business as Love Sophie Floral, which, if you ask me, is perfectly fitting. Based in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Victoria, she’s not just a florist, she’s a microflower farmer too.

“I didn’t think floristry would be something I could actually pursue as a career,” “For a long time, it felt like it would just be a side hustle. Then I met Ash, and everything flipped.”

Two years in, her life is a mix of flower farms, weddings, coffee shifts, and endless planning for the next big thing. And yet, she’s building something extraordinary, almost a full-time floral empire.

Florists, Stop Overthinking and Start Showing Up: How Sophie Went from Overwhelmed to All In

When we first spoke, Sophie was juggling two jobs and seven wedding bookings. She had big dreams but was drowning in mindset blocks, confidence, marketing, content creation, you name it.

“I had put so much pressure on myself. A previous business coach had all these rigid rules, if you weren’t perfect on social media, forget it. I honestly don’t know how I even booked those weddings. I was terrified."

Her turning point? A single conversation:

“You said to me, it doesn’t matter if your hair’s a mess as long as you’re smiling,”

Sophie says, laughing.

“I stopped freaking out about not wearing makeup, not being in a frock. I just started showing up, and people loved it. That has been integral to getting where I am now.”

Taking the Leap: How Joining Wildflower Academy Took Sophie from Stuck to a $75K Booked-Out Floral Business in Just One Year

Sophie followed Wildflower Academy on Instagram for months before taking the leap.

“I got to know you over Instagram for six months,”

she recalls.

“I gained so much trust and passion from you that I knew this was the right investment. And honestly? It was the easiest and best investment I’ve ever made.”

Even when she worried about the cost, she knew she was investing in guidance from someone who had been where she was and built a business they loved.

Learning by Doing (and Listening): How Sophie Used Wildflower Academy to Level Up Her Florist Game

Once Sophie joined, she dived into the Academy’s business modules. “I binge-watched about ten videos in two days,” she laughs. That was just the beginning. She booked coaching calls, invested in a six-month program, and started taking massive leaps.

“I love seeing other people’s posts, their reflections. Even if it’s something small, like reflexing roses, I learn so much. Watching your videos, Ash, pushes me to think about why I’m making design choices. It’s helped me improve so much.”

She values storytelling content over polished posts.

“Flowers aren’t something you can just follow step by step. Your stories encourage us to think creatively, to try new things. It makes us better florists and more confident in our style.”

Freelancing for Confidence: How Sophie Learned, Grew, and Realised She Could Totally Do It

One of Sophie’s biggest steps was diving into freelancing. She set a goal to work for 10 florists she admired and ended up booking 14 shifts in just one season.

“That one little action changed my life,” she says.

“I started working with people who inspired me, learned so much, and gained confidence in installations and leading small teams. I feel like a cool little cucumber now.”

Freelancing wasn’t just practice, it was networking, inspiration, and proof that she could do it.

“Sometimes you put florists on a pedestal and think, ‘I could never do that.’ But actually? You can. It just takes a little confidence.”

From stuck to soaring: Sophie's 75k floral business leap in just one year

Sophie’s persistence has paid off. She’s nearing six figures in revenue, booked 20 weddings for next season, and is steadily raising her minimum spend.

“It feels strange because it feels like not much has changed,” she admits.

“But when I look back at my goals, followers, weddings, revenue, I realise I’m there. And next year, I’ll hit my six-figure target.”

She’s also embracing the challenge of multiple weddings in a week while keeping focus on quality.

“I want to enjoy each wedding, not just rush through. So raising the minimum spend helps me slow down and focus on what I love.”

Building a Business You Love: How Sophie Turned Vision, Values, and Style into Floral Success

What sets Sophie apart is her clarity of vision. She’s not just chasing bookings; she’s building a business that aligns with her values, her aesthetic, and her community. From her flower farm to her brand rehaul, everything reflects her unique style.

“You weren’t just asking how to get more bookings,” I told her.

“You were asking how to build a business that supports your goals and feels like you.”

And she’s doing just that. Every booking, every freelance shift, every social media post, Sophie’s business is growing, but it’s growing her way.

The Big Takeaway for Florists: Show Up, Take Action, and Start Before You’re “Ready”

Sophie’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t come from perfection or copying someone else. It comes from showing up, taking action, and investing in yourself. Sometimes that’s as simple as picking up the phone, hitting “send” on a DM, or showing up with messy hair and a big smile.

Whether you’re in your first year or fifth, Sophie proves it: florists don’t have to wait to be ready, you just have to start. Ready to see real results? Join Wildflower Academy community and start transforming your business today.

Ash
xx