My “True Colors” feature column started as a result of my desire to showcase not only the work of inspiring women but also to get to know the person behind the successful business or endeavour. I wanted to get to know each lady and find out what exactly inspires and drives their vision. We often see work that inspires us but we seldom see the construct and the maker behind it. My goal is to inspire other women that are on the fence about following their path because I truly believe that’s the only way to be happy. And isn’t that what life is about? I’m going to feature women like you and me, that not only experience success and joy, but also moments of fear and difficulty which are all part of following the heart and a unique vision.
Today we will get to know Julia Rohde. I met Julia about 2 years ago when she was just starting out. She runs Julia Rohde Designs, a floral and event design company that creates gorgeous and artful bouquets amongst many other things. It has been truly empowering for me to see Julia blossom into her greatest creation yet; her true self. As a result, her work has been featured in endless blogs and publications. I spent an afternoon with Julia and with the help of Hiara, a talented make up artist who did her hair and make up. I snapped some photos of her doing what she does best. Make sure to scroll down to read the interview.
LC: What do you usually tell people when they ask you what you do?
JR: Floral aficionado, all things design enthusiast.
LC: What are your reasons and motivations for what you do?
JR: I really just want to create beauty. I love seeing how many different ways you can make an arrangement with the same flowers and have it still look unique and beautiful. I’m always looking for ways to deliver a unique product to our clients. Over time it’s been really interesting to see how our style has evolved into a garden-inspired, organic sort of design and I’m really happy we have fine-tuned our design aesthetic in a way that stands out.
LC: What does a day-in-the-life of Julia consist of?
JR: Every day is different. Some days I’m conditioning flowers, other days I’m pumping out arrangements all day or meeting with new clients. Although my favorite days are practice days, which I make an effort to do because it’s always good to try new things with arrangements and see the outcome with complete creative freedom.
LC: Describe the most exciting minute of your entrepreneurial journey.
JR: There are so many exciting moments, but I think this must have been the moment we finished delivery and setup of our first full-scale wedding. It was truly a moment I couldn’t have been more proud of because I knew what we had just accomplished and I knew that if we could do one, we could do them all.
LC: It can be a little scary to start something on your own; how did you overcome your fears?
JR: There is no doubt that everyone fears something in their professional career, whether it be a really important interview, presentation, or perhaps a challenging project for a client. I think its really important to remember that we are human, and not perfect, and that people make mistakes. It’s going to happen. But the only way you can prevent any major mistake is by being on top of every little detail, being extremely organized and having tons of checklists. We’ve had our fair share of growing pains, but it has made us better at what we do. As the saying goes, without failure there is no success.
LC: If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?
JR: I think this business has opened my eyes to one thing that has changed my life completely; there is nothing in this world that can’t be done. It doesn’t matter what it is, if you want to start a business, bike across the US, learn a new language, you really can do anything. It just takes focus and hard work. If you can do that, you’ll get to your goals.
LC: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever gotten?
JR: Just do it. No matter what your fears are, you’ll learn along the way and figure it out.
LC: What motivates you?
JR: Receiving positive feedback from our clients motivates me more than anything. It’s an amazing feeling to hear we knocked it out of the park.
LC: How do you define success?
JR: Unrelenting ambition and perseverance leading to one’s personal fulfillment and happiness.
LC: Other than your own, what company or business do you admire the most?
JR: I’ve always admired letterpress companies. I think there’s something so amazing behind the process of using these old Heidelberg printing presses to create beautiful pressed wedding invitations and paper goods.
LC: What makes you happy?
JR: A new idea that I can’t stop thinking about.
LC: If Julia Rohde Designs were 3 colors, what colors would you pick?
JR: Pale peach, sherbert orange and blush pink.
