Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Magnusson.
Hi Brittany, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hello — it’s a pleasure to be here. Thank you for having me.
From a very young age, I’ve been deeply drawn to the beauty of the natural world — and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. I grew up watching my mom run her own business, and I was always inspired by her independence and drive. I knew early on that I wanted to follow in her footsteps and become a woman with a business of my own one day, too. Flowers have always captivated me — so much so, that when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was often simply, ‘a flower girl.’ I’ve known from early on that flowers were a part of who I am, which is what led me into floral design. This path into floral design has felt both like a career choice and a major return to myself and showing up for my self, fully. It’s been the journey that has most fully embraced who I am at my core most.
Not long after I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to pursue floristry — I just didn’t know where to begin. I simply started with staying up late watching YouTube videos on the principles of floral design, different arrangement styles, and flower varieties. I even began sketching flowers by hand, labeling each one with its name to help me remember all the different types. It was a slow, self-guided start, but one that deepened my passion and laid the foundation for everything that came next. I began playing with grocery store flowers and ones I’d forage in the countryside and would practice quite a bit.
Eventually, my coworkers at the hair salon where I was working at the time started to notice my passion. They began commissioning me for birthdays, private events, and everyday custom flower deliveries — and soon after, I found myself flowering for elopements, weddings and other larger occasions, such as pop-ups and styled shoots alongside other business owners in Kansas City. That was a major turning point for me. Within just a couple of years, I had found myself fully immersed in this work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m a big believer in fall down seven times, stand up eight. No, it has definitely not always been a smooth road — but that’s where I find a lot of joy in this journey! I love moments that show me where I can be stronger, and floral design has given me those opportunities many times.
A few years into building my first floral brand, Farren Floral Co, I began to feel a subtle disconnect. At first, I couldn’t pinpoint what was off. Eventually, I realized it stemmed from my own self-doubt — I had started so young and entirely on my own, and I often questioned my capabilities. While I loved creating for weddings and working closely with brides on such meaningful days, the direction I was heading didn’t quite align with the vision I had for myself or the deeper creative expression I was craving. I began getting booked far more than I ever expected, and at that point in my life, I didn’t yet have the tools to manage the pressure and stress that came with it. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to step away from my first floral brand. I slowed things down to reconnect with myself and took a three-year hiatus to reflect, recharge, and grow — both personally and creatively. While I am not pursuing wedding work at this time, I have curated my new brand.
And that’s where the birth of Flora Noir— and a deeper belief in myself. Of course, owning a business comes with challenges that will always present themselves, especially when working with perishable fresh materials like flowers! However, for myself, the only way out is through. I enjoy all the elements in this role.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Flora Noir is a floral + botanical studio rooted in intentionality and reverence for the natural world. We create floral art for everyday moments, private events, intimate dinners, pop-ups, styled shoots and more. From wrapped bouquets, Ikebana and bud vase arrangements , to grand, luxurious floral arrangements. We also create limited-edition floral collections and seasonal edits, each one a reflection of a mood, a moment, or a memory.
It’s not just floristry — it’s sacred work, to me. A practice in slowing down, observing, and honoring the beauty that surrounds us. Sustainability and education are core to what I do, from mindful sourcing to sharing knowledge about the seasons and stems we rely on. Soon, Flora Noir will also offer herbal-forward bouquets designed for both beauty and function — inspired by culinary and medicinal traditions. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted with the recipient in mind, often accompanied by notes on the flowers used, care instructions, and more.
As a designer, I’m led by intuition and a deep connection to botanical storytelling. Each arrangement is lush, textural, and layered with meaning — crafted to mirror the shifting seasons and the emotions we move through, just as flowers do.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
To me, the most important characteristic to my success would be of intentionality. It covers all my bases in my craft. From designing intuitively and embracing being self-taught. From the personal connections cultivated through floristry and the moments we create them for. It’s what makes the work feel like both art and ritual. Every stem, every word and every choice feels considered and aligned. People can feel that. It builds trust, loyalty and emotional connection. All facets of floral design that make me feel most empowered and successful.
With intentionality, comes community. And fortunately here in Kansas City, we are abundant of. I’m very proud to be in this city alongside many other ambitious and successful entrepreneurs and artists.
Pricing:
- To refer to pricing, my website features my flower menu!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @floranoir.kc
