Julie Lilley

Which course did you study at Tallulah Rose and when?

I studied the Two-Week Career Change course at Levens Hall in June 2024.

What did you most enjoy about the course?

I absolutely adored the course I knew when I started looking into which one I wanted to do that Rachel’s was the one that resonated with me as British seasonal flowers are so important to me and using sustainable methods that Rachel teaches was a definite winner but I’m not sure I can single out one thing I just loved it all.

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

My most memorable moments have been meeting other Tallulahs and being asked to work alongside them.

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

The best part of having my own floristry business is working with my own seasonally grown blooms that you just can’t buy in the shops and working at all different times of the day ….I’m definitely not a 9-5 girl !

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

All of Rachel’s advice was incredibly rewarding and so helpful in every way. When I go about everything that needs to be done regarding proposals planning and styling, I literally think ‘what would Rachel do’ or ‘how would Rachel handle this?’

What would you say makes your floristry business unique?

I think what makes my flower business unique is that I’m lucky enough to grow most of the flowers I use. I also have a great photographer friend that I solely use and we are together with my sister who is an incredible event organiser beginning to get a collective together of local creatives to be part of a bigger team who support each other in the wedding and event industry called Wild Fig Collective. Our first collaborative event is going on in October so anyone who works alone or is worried about getting started or simply wants connection can join us in an evening of chat talks food and drinks.

What’s your favourite time of the day and why?

My favourite time of the day I guess has to be the early hours when the flowers are at their best and coolest and it’s quiet all around me. I really enjoy the odd jobs too like cleaning the buckets ready for fresh flower picking and organising my day ahead whether it’s contacting clients or quoting or even social media …I love it all!  Rachel will laugh as I even LOVE doing to the figures and spreads sheets! (which was my scariest section on the course).

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

My advice would be DO IT ..don’t wait around for tomorrow to get started. Be true to yourself and don’t always say yes to every job if it doesn’t sit well or serve your creative style.

What is your favourite British flower and why?

I have way too many favourite British flowers to limit it to one, but I’d say Dahlias, Scabious, Cosmos and Phlox together make the most gorgeous foursome.

Click here to find out more about Wild Fig Flowers

Profile photo credit: @sarah_newman_photography