Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Taylor
Hi Katherine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I moved to kansas city in 2011 after getting married to my husband, Bryan Taylor. I had been working for my family’s home improvement company in Tulsa. I wasn’t sure what my next career move would be. I had worked in advertising, sales and marketing for 10 years, but I was looking for something different. Bryan encouraged me to try something I had always wanted to do but never had the time to try. I had always loved the idea of working in a flower shop. I loved being creative (I had a side gig making and selling jewelry in my 20’s) and I wanted to be surrounded by the beauty of flowers. I found a job at a downtown flower shop as their marketing manager. I enjoyed learning the business and was energized by the industry, but the flower shop I was working for decided to close their doors when the owner’s husband was relocated for another job. It was somewhat good timing because we were about to have our first child in 2012. I then starting working with my friend Heather Coones at her home-based event floral business, Botanica. I brought my baby in a baby carrier to her house and she would sleep while we worked. It was such a sweet time. I had another baby shortly after the first and I made the decision to stay at home full time to be with them. Just after our second child was born, our neighbor’s daughter was about to get married and asked me to do the flowers. So, with my son in a sling on my hip, I did my first walk through as a wedding florist in 2014. After that wedding, I connected with wedding planners and grew my business slowly through word of mouth. During covid, I transitioned to being not only a wedding florist, but offering everyday and all-occasion flowers, working first out of my basement and then had a small studio built in our garage. I have been blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing community that has allowed me to grow into the company we are today. Bramble & Stem is a celebration of so much goodness. When my father (Dan Brambl) suddenly passed away in 2023, I was heartbroken, but fueled with a desire to continue his entreprenuerial legacy. Bramble & Stem is a nod to my father, a message of love to my family, and a committment to bringing the joy of flowers to the heart of Kansas City.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Balancing motherhood and running a business comes with its unique set of challenges. Becoming a business owner is a journey of self-discovery—you uncover both your strengths and your weaknesses along the way. Yet, it’s the resilience to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep pushing forward that makes the experience truly rewarding.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bramble & Stem?
Bramble & Stem is more than just a flower shop—it’s a love letter to my family. The name itself is a personal tribute: “Bramble” honors my maiden name, and “Stem” reflects the foundation and strength that family provides. When I moved the business out of my home-based studio I wanted a name that would reflect both my roots and my dad’s hardworking entrepreneurial spirit.
Flowers are magic. They can express joy, love, sympathy, or gratitude without saying a word. At Bramble & Stem, we see them as more than just pretty petals—they’re a connection to nature and to each other. We’re committed to sourcing our flowers sustainably, working with local growers, and honoring the earth that provides so much beauty. Each arrangement we create reflects our belief in the power of nature to bring people closer together.
We’re more than just a shop—we’re part of this amazing community. From supporting local businesses to connecting with our customers on a personal level. We want to be a place where people feel welcomed, valued, and inspired, whether they’re here to buy flowers, find their own floral creativity, or just share a story. We believe in the power of flowers to bring people together and lift each other up. That’s why we’ve created a workshop space where our community can come together to learn, create, and connect through the art of floral design.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Some of my fondest childhood memories are tied to the outdoors. Whether it was playing games with the neighbors, spending countless hours at the neighborhood pool, heading to summer camp, or going on canoeing and camping trips with my dad, I was almost always outside.
One memory that stands out is from when I was in Kindergarten. Every morning, while waiting for the bus, my mom and I would make “salads” in the front yard. We’d gather grasses, crabapples from the neighbor’s tree, leaves, and other plants to create little arrangements we called “salads.” It was a daily ritual, and even though we were just playing, it’s those simple moments that really sparked my love for the beauty of nature and the desire to be creative each day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brambleandstem.com
- Instagram: @brambleandstem
- Facebook: @brambleandstem
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bramble-and-stem-kansas-city
