Kirsty Wells

Which course did you study at Tallulah Rose and when?

I’ve now studied with Tallulah Rose twice –

The first time was on a two-week career change course in April 2024, the first year Rachel ran this course from Amsterdam. Not long prior to this I had completed a college course in floristry and was keen to find a career change course that built on my knowledge, bought me up to date with the floral design working world, all whilst being taught by someone who’s style, work, and ethics I admired. It felt like an opportunity I couldn’t pass on, and I’m so glad I didn’t – for me, it was quite life changing (maybe it should be called career and life change course!).

The second time was on a 3-day wedding course in May 2025, based in Cumbria. Following the career change course, I spent the year freelancing for other florists as much as I could, whilst building up my own portfolio and booking my own wedding clients. Whilst this has been invaluable experience, I wished to enter ‘wedding season’ having been re-inspired and realigned with my original training.

What did you most enjoy about the course?

I loved working with such beautiful blooms, especially in Cumbria, knowing they were all British grown. Their character is unmatched, and it felt so special to know they had been grown by local flower farmers. By choosing local, it not only supports British growers but also supports the planet – it’s a beautiful full-circle moment.

What has been your most memorable moment since finishing the course?

It may not sound grand or special to others, but for me, the most memorable moments have been the quiet ones – the ones where I recognise that I run my own business, I work for myself, and I get to do what I love every day. Building new relationships, designing florals, and managing the whole process of bringing those designs to life – it’s a combination of creativity and hard work that I feel genuinely lucky to experience.

What is the best part of having your own floristry business?

There are so many things I love about having my own floristry business, but the best part has to be the creative freedom. Being able to bring my own ideas to life, experiment with different designs, and work with nature in a way that feels authentic to me is incredibly rewarding. I also love the independence of working for myself – building something that reflects my style and values. And, of course, the people! Whether it’s connecting with clients on one of the most important days of their lives, collaborating with fellow florists, or meeting other creatives in the industry, those relationships are really important to me.

Are you seeing the financial return to your business, that you had hoped for when investing in training with Tallulah Rose?

My business is still in its early years, so in line with my expectations at this stage and considering the projects I have booked for the future, I would say so, yes.

What’s the best piece of advice Rachel gave you?

I’ll never forget Rachel saying to me “Don’t be patient and stay hungry”. I love this advice! As someone who is driven, passionate, and motivated, it really resonated with me. It’s a reminder to keep pushing forward, stay ambitious, and never lose that hunger for a successful business. I think of it every day!

What would you say makes your floristry business unique?

My business stemmed from a very personal place – during a point in my life where the trajectory was dramatically changing, I evaluated what I loved, what was important to me, what inspires me, and my career up until that point. With a background in interior design, I’ve always loved the styling process – bringing beauty, detail, and feeling into spaces. My mum passed on her love of flowers and gardening, showing me how nature has this amazing magic that transforms everything – including us. My dad, a business owner, taught me to believe I could build something of my own too. I adore how intrinsically linked we are to nature, and how flowers beautifully mirror our human journey – seasons of change, growth, resilience, and blooming. When thinking about this notion (and probably giving myself a pep-talk), the phrase ‘& Then She Bloomed’ popped into my head – from then I knew I was going to be a floral designer, and I’ve never looked back.

What’s been your favourite Client request so far?

I’d have to say one of my favourite client requests was from a bride who asked me to recreate a bridal bouquet she had seen on my Instagram – she saw that one bouquet and wanted me to create her florals from there. Although it’s impossible to replicate anything exactly when working with nature, we talked through the details and her vision. It felt incredibly special, knowing how personal a bridal bouquet is, being trusted to bring that moment to life for her was such an honour.

What would be your advice to someone wanting to pursue floristry as a career?

My advice would be to go into floristry with your eyes wide open – it’s beautiful, but it can be tough! Expect long days, physically demanding work, and being out in all kinds of weather – sunshine, wind, rain, and freezing cold (I’ve stopped feeing my hands before!). There’s also so much more to it than flowers – logistics, planning, and the mechanics behind bringing designs to life are a huge part of the job. Oh, and definitely do Pilates and find yourself a great chiropractor – your body will thank you!

What is your favourite British flower and why?

This is definitely the hardest question of them all… but for me, it has to be the butterfly ranunculus. I adore flowers that have movement, ones that dance, feel full of life, and bring something a little unexpected. The petals of a butterfly ranunculus are almost iridescent, beautifully delicate yet strikingly unique. They’re not commonly known, which makes them all the more special, and they bring so much elegance, bounce, and character to any arrangement – plus, they have a great vase life!

Click here for more information about & Then She Bloomed

Profile photo credit: Gemma McKell – Folk & Kin