inspired by | mireille
creativity comes in a lot of shapes and sizes...for me it's behind a lens and creating with individual frames...for others it might be through dance...moving and contorting their bodies to create art with their bodies.for still others still it might be through writing...painting pictures using words.THIS woman creates with flowers...beautiful imagery using petals and stems that on a good day, I get to photograph. ;)but that's only part of the reason she is this fridays inspiring person...the thing that inspires me is that she is a servant.yes, she's a successful business-woman running her own successful floral business,yes, she's an amazing wife and mother...I seriously LOVE photographing her two girls...they are happy, genuine reflections of their mom.but the most inspiring thing to me because behind all that drive, creativity, wisdom and intelligence is a woman who has taught me a great bit on how to mix both business and genuine service with a smile.I spend part of the afternoon with her in her studio talking "shoppe"...we talked a smidge on what it takes to succeed in business...I love her fiesty-ness and passion that she has about not being "spoon-fed" in the industry...she is right on about the need to have drive and determination and a little bit of independent elbow-grease in finding success in any endeavor you chase after...but her thoughts on what it really means to serve...regardless of the clients response (or lack of response!) is the thing that I think sets her apart.she is genuine, she cares deeply...she knows how not to take things personally and see the bigger picture and she is someone I'm proud I can call friend and colleague.meet Mireille.
if you had to describe “you” in ten words, how would you describe yourself?
saved, passionate, creative, happy, thankful, crazy, curly, mother, wife, daughter
you work with a ton of different flowers...what's your top five favorites?
stock (smells amazing), freesia (smells even more amazing), garden roses (intricately beautiful), Bells of Ireland (so cool and smells fresh), sunflowers (with petals on and off)
what's has been the most challenging since opening your own business...how did you overcome it?
Learning that I just need to do things myself and not rely on others to make things happen. I overcame it by joining BNI (Business Network International) which has amazing resources to get things done and it doubled my business too.
who/where do you look to for inspiration floral-wise?
There is a florist in Coronado Island, CA named Karen Tran who does absolutely amazing wedding flowers. I also like to look across the pond to a florist Paula Pryke who does really cool stuff too.
what would you say your "style" is florally?
Florally speaking, I like anything that is unique which showcases God's creation. I love to use flowers that people have never seen before or replicate real life items with flowers. For example, for an ASU homecoming event, I covered a nerf football with brown mums and used lace for the white lines and set it on a real football tee. People went crazy over it.
what's your favorite inspirational quote/Bible verse?
Matthew 5:16 - I always strive to be salt in light for Christ in everything I do.
what lights you up on a daily basis?
It may sound crazy, but I absolutely love delivering my flower arrangements! I love to see the surprise factor and watch people's eyes light up. It brings instant joy for the recipient and me too! I especially love delivering to a family of someone who has passed away, because flowers bring a moment of appreciation during a sorrowful time. Another thing that just lights me up is when my Honda Element "Ellie" is jammed full of flowers to be arranged or arranged to be delivered. I have to pinch myself that I am actually a florist and that I get the opportunity to arrange God's creation. It's sick!
what other hobbies do you have?
My family. I have the coolest daughters and an awesome husband. I am often found on the sidelines of a soccer game as well. I love going to the movies and hanging out with my girlfriends too.
where would you escape to in the world if you could? why?
Well, I went to France this summer and on every other corner their is a flower shop. I would love to live in a loft with my hubby and run my own flower shop in Paris!!
if you could be a super hero, what super power's would you have? what would you name yourself? :)
I am a huge elastagirl fan, because I think it would be so cool to have that kind of flexibility. Maybe I could be floracious (I'm laughing now.) ;) - who intoxicates everyone around her with the fragrance of beautiful flowers. Ha! :)
where do you find your guilty pleasures? food, tv, etc...
Food, food, food. I'm addicted. Liberty Market white veggie pizza, any version of Salad And Go, Pita Jungle veggie burrito or Blue 32 flatbread!
do you have a collection? or do you want to collect anything?
I do have a small collection of ceramic polar bears. Nothing too huge.
top three favorite colors? why?
Red - always been my fav, deep grape purple - love that color of stock flowers, silver - so flashy
brother’s/sister’s? where are you at in the birth order?
I have two older brothers who are also artists in some fashion and I am the baby. Artistic ability runs in the fam.
are you OCD about anything or pretty chill?
I am pretty chill. Totally rely on the Holy Spirit to run the show - creatively and all. I take no credit.
you're fairly well known for being a super-positive person...how do you maintain that?
It's all about Jesus. Yes, I'm a Jesus freak! :) How could you not be positive when the creator of the universe chose you to be His kid. He is completely in control of everything and I am ecstatic about that. On top of that, He gave me an amazing family and I get to arrange His creation of flowers.
something that is from your childhood, that not a lot of people know about?
I danced competitively in junior high, high school and college, paid for all of my own dance classes and costumes with my babysitting money. It's still in my blood.
what is a nickname(s) you've been called in your life?
M&M - My maiden name is Moore and since my first name is so hard to pronounce, it stuck (that is until the singer Eminem came around!).
favorite article(s) of clothing?
Hands down any pair of American Eagle jeans that I own. I discovered my first pair at an exchange clothing store and fell in love. It's the only kind of jeans I will buy.
favorite band/song for inspiration?
I love Santus Real - best worship music for me
top three magazine’s you would buy?
Where Women Create, Real Simple, Any bridal magazine
if you could encourage young women (14-21) to be anything, what would it be?
To dream big, get a college education and make those dreams come true.
if you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?
This is it!! A floral designer. I do think it would be cool to teach at the college level sometimes too.
how many places have you lived in your life and where would you call home?
I'm an Arizona native - rare I know. Love Arizona. Gilbert is my home.
who have been the key-influencer's in your life? why?
My spiritual mentor is Kathi Bishop. Love this woman and she would drop anything to help me out. She speaks the truth no matter what and even though it hurts sometimes, I wouldn't have it any other way. My floral mentor is Brian Vetter - He is amazing with flowers and answers all of my stupid questions about flowers. I received my master certification under his teaching.
If you’d like to follow mireille on social media or want to drop her a line you can find her here:Website: everybodylovesflowers.comFacebook: @EverybodyLovesFlowersInstagram: @everybody_loves_flowersEmail: mhelm@everybodylovesflowers.com