Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Boll.
Hi Amy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2017, my husband and I and four daughters moved from Clearwater, Florida (I am a Florida native) to Kansas City (my husband is a Missouri native) to be closer to extended family. I like to say we arrived in Kansas City at the same time Patrick Mahomes did! My husband joined the staff of our local church as the missions pastor. We have had the joy of sharing the love of Christ with people all over the world through various mission opportunities. Years ago, our family of six even lived in Russia for a year. It was there that I fell in love with flowers, which flanked the metro stations and street corners daily. I began pressing flowers in books.
Fast-forward to 2019 and one of my daughters (Paige of Paige’s Petals) was beginning to grow her floral business here in Kansas City. When Covid hit, and she lost her job, she, with the help of her husband, focused all of her energies into her floral business. I was working in the elementary office of a local private school and helping her with flowers on the weekend, as needed. At the close of weddings, many times we were throwing away hundreds of dollars worth of beautiful flowers. We began to envision offering floral preservation. As I was studying many techniques and methods, she would provide me with excess blooms, broken stems, and leftover flowers so I could practice. I fell in love with the art of pressing flowers. After a few months, a couple of brides who were friends of ours, trusted me with preserving their bouquets. Additional requests continued to come my way, and now I was busy pressing flowers on the weekends instead of helping her with wedding florals. Paige shared my contact information with other florists and local wedding planners and my business continued to flourish.
In 2023, both Paige and her older sister Leanne announced that they were both expecting sweet babies, our first grandchildren! I was still working my job in the elementary office at the school, and I absolutely loved going to work every day. However, I began to pray about working with floral preservation full-time, so that I would have more flexible time to spend with our family, the grandbabies, and my aging parents in Florida. In August 2023, I took a step of faith and launched into floral preservation full-time, specializing in pressed floral frames. It has been a huge blessing and has brought the income necessary for our needs right now. I have loved creating beautiful keepsakes for brides and also special memorial pieces for those who have lost loved ones. I am so appreciative of every customer who has trusted me along the way!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In 2021, we purchased and moved into our current home in Harrisonville located on 12 acres. One of the biggest benefits of the house is that it has a fully finished basement, complete with kitchen, bathroom and workspace. It made the perfect spot for my home-based studio! As much as that has been a huge benefit, there have been many challenges along the way.
Floral preservation is just one small part of running a small business! It has taken hard work and research to understand the best methods for preserving different varieties of flowers. Aside from preserving flowers, some of the additional challenges have been: advertising, marketing, pricing, networking, social media, setting up a Missouri LLC, learning tax code, procurement of Frames, and many more. Other challenges that all small business owners face is that there is no guaranteed paycheck, healthcare, paid time off, etc.. it has been a roller coaster ride, but an exciting journey, and I’m thankful for many helpers and encouragers along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Preserved Petals by Amy specializes in pressed floral preservation. I create beautiful, lasting keepsakes through preserving and framing florals from memorable occasions such weddings, funerals, and special events. I offer different sizes and styles of frame options. At one point, I experimented with dried floral resin products, but decided I loved the pressing method best, so I have focused on perfecting my art of pressed floral design. Many flowers can be dried whole, yet some of them need to be reconstructed petal by petal and then reconstructed before design. It has taken years to understand each bloom variety and the best way to press, dry and design them to create beautiful framed keepsake.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I am so thankful to God for his provision in my life and for his absolute creative hand as found in creation, specifically in the intricate color, structure, pattern and beauty found in each and every bloom. Also, my family has been a huge support to me in my floral preservation business. Three of my four daughters are now using their creative abilities to serve the Kansas City Wedding community. It’s a lot of fun working together and sharing ideas!
Paige Stewart – Paige’s Petals Florals
Audrey Elliff – Aud Elliff Makeup Artistry
Whitney Dudley – Dough Best Bakery KC Cake and Cookie Artist
I’m also very thankful for other local floral preservation artists in the Kansas City area who have been willing to share ideas and help along the way. There are several of us who have met up occasionally for lunch, coffee and encouragement over the past couple of years. We have an unofficial Instagram group called the Flower Morticians where we encourage each other weekly and sometimes share wins and challenges along the way! While we all operate our own businesses, and some would consider us competitors, our dynamic is more of supportive in nature and we work together to refer our clients to each other, based on customer’s specific needs.
Pricing:
- 16×20 $395
- 11×14 $375
- 8×10 $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.preservedpetalsbyamy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preservedpetalsbyamy?igsi=MWt6NmY2cTRoNDExMw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
