From Road Trips to Rose Walls

Every business begins with a moment; an unexpected spark that lingers long after the day is over. For me, that moment happened on a trip I never expected would change the direction of my life.

I wasn’t planning to start a business. I wasn’t even thinking about flower walls. I was simply traveling, taking in new places, enjoying the change of scenery. But somewhere between the hotels, the cafes, and the busy streets, I found myself standing in front of something that made me stop completely. It was a flower wall: huge, vibrant, and overflowing with color.

I had seen photos of flower walls online before, but seeing one in person was different. It wasn’t just decor; it was an experience. People were drawn to it like it had its own gravity. They paused, smiled, took photos, and suddenly, the energy of the entire space felt brighter and more alive. I watched families pose together. I saw friends laughing as they angled their phones. Even strangers who had rushed past everything else slowed down just to take a moment in front of those flowers.

And then it hit me: Hickory needs this. My community, our events, our celebrations, our small businesses they deserved something this beautiful and memorable. The rest of the trip, I kept finding myself thinking about that wall. I replayed the way it transformed the atmosphere. I imagined what something like that could bring to weddings in Hickory, to school dances, to local businesses, to birthdays and baby showers and brand pop-ups.

Most ideas fade after a few hours. This one didn’t. It stuck to me like a seed I hadn’t realized had already taken root. By the time I arrived back home, I knew I wasn’t just inspired. I was changed. Inspiration is exciting, but bringing it to life? That takes courage. I started researching everything I could about flower walls. Materials. Styles. Trends around the world. I studied color palettes, textures, and techniques. And the more I learned, the more I felt certain: this wasn’t just a pretty idea. It was something I could build.

Before long, I was sketching designs, sourcing supplies, and imagining what Petal & Bloom could become. There were moments of fear, plenty of “Is this really possible?” thoughts, and a whole lot of trial and error. But that spark from my trip kept pushing me forward.

Launching a flower wall business in Hickory felt like bringing a piece of the world back home and sharing it with the people I love most. I wanted to create something that wasn’t just visually stunning, but something that made people feel the way I felt when I first stood in front of that wall: joyful, inspired, and connected. And now, every time I set up a wall and see that same spark of wonder in someone else’s eyes, it reminds me exactly why I started.

Looking back, it still amazes me how one single moment, one pause in front of a wall of flowers completely reshaped my path. It taught me that inspiration can come from anywhere, even when you aren’t searching for it. Sometimes, life hands you an idea so bright, you can’t help but follow it.

Petal & Bloom exists because of that one moment.  And every event I get to be part of is a reminder of how powerful a spark can be. Here’s to the moments that change everything and to bringing that beauty home, one flower wall at a time.

XOXO,

Leigh