hey there, i’m kirstin.
I founded Darlin’ Floral Co. in 2019, but the story actually began much, much earlier…
Jumping back to childhood mornings spent with my Mom, a florist - my memories include following her around as she shopped the chilly flower-market fridges and stuffing any pretty, broken petals I found on the ground into my pockets.
Other days included coming home from school to laugh and find our bathtub full of flowers as she prepped for a wedding. Still to this day, the smell of the fresh blooms can bring me back to a sweet childhood memory.
Always having a love for design, I decided to get my Bachelors in Fine Art and enjoyed working as a graphic designer in the surf industry. Years later, while living on Oahu, a couple of close friends were getting married and needed flowers, so naturally I volunteered to help - and something sparked.
After all these years, it was right in front of me: a job where I could create with my hands, surround myself in nature, and be a part of creating special & sacred moments.
Amazing… except now, how exactly do I start a business?
Queue: the lovely Kate from New Creations Flower Co…
Kate Schmidt, a long-time family friend, had caught wind of my interest and reached out. The next thing I knew, I was on a flight to Michigan to shadow her and see if this was the right path for me.
With a business-mind, a heart for God and an eye for design, Kate was the perfect mentor I didn’t know I needed. She took a chance on me as her “sister company” and gave me the confidence and support to believe I could actually “do this” full-time.
P.S.…Need a Michigan florist? Contact Kate here!
Fast-forward and we’ve come a long way…
…through years of hard work, a cross-ocean move to San Diego, late nights, risks and leaps of faith, a world-wide pandemic, incredible clients, support from fellow vendors, trust building with coordinators, dedicated help from friends and freelancers (and even my Mom flying out to join on a couple weddings!), God’s provision, and lotsss of flowers… here we are!
Over 500 weddings & events later and more on the way.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.
xx, Kirstin
