Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Nelson
Alexis, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always been a creative person! I remember wanting to be an ‘artist’ when I was very little, not realizing an artist was anything more than a painter. Looking back through my school years, I can name many times where any project that involved creating something, I went over and above the expectations. After high school graduation, it was time to think of a way to make a living. Anything creative was not in mind because of the perceived notion that just being creative wouldn’t support me financially. Although, I did have a passion for helping people with disabilities. So, I became an elementary special education teacher. I absolutely LOVED it! I was able to pursue both passions in the same career (creativeness and helping others). I was in my third year of teaching when the most unexpected event happened: COVID-19. We wrapped up the school year distance learning and trying to keep our heads above water. Little did we know, this would impact the school system for years following. Nothing was the same. Trying to teach through distance learning to the students with the highest needs in the elementary was no easy task. I felt frustrated, defeated, and stressed out. We had to learn new technology, programs, and ways to teach in the shortest amount of time because the education of students mattered. During all of this, I was newly engaged and still hoping to be married in December 2020. Rolling with the punches of restrictions (masks, social distancing, etc.) of event venues made things difficult. But, my (now) husband and I were able to have a small wedding with immediate family in the lobby of Whitefish Lodge in Crosslake, MN and a small dinner at his parents for our ‘reception’ in their living room. Amongst the pure joy of becoming newlyweds, the stress of teaching did not slow down. More responsibilities, paperwork, and professional development requirements were expected of us on top of our already overwhelming amounts of responsibilities, paperwork, and professional development requirements. Frequently, I would spend my lunch break in tears. Teaching was more stress than anything, and it started taking a toll on my body. I ended up resigning after 5 years. I was experiencing severe gut problems in the last year and they were getting worse. I finally reached a point that I could not handle it and went to the doctor. The symptoms I was experiencing made anything and everything difficult…almost impossible. After having a colonoscopy at the age of 29, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. By the grace of God, the medication I have been on since then has been helping lower inflammation in my body. Since leaving teaching, I decided to work from home doing some graphic design work, custom apparel, photography, and anything else creative to make money. Times, honestly, were very tough. My husband started a handyman business about the same time I left teaching, so we both struggled to pay our bills while he was still trying to build up his clientele. Toward the end of 2023, I was asked by a local flower farmer to do some social media work and design her website. We spent quite a bit of time together and quickly became very good friends! I ended up working part time for her in her next flower season. At the same time I had the desire to start my own flower farm business. Out of the pure kindness of her heart, she encouraged me and helped me along the way and let me tell you… I have never enjoyed anything more! I opened a flower stand in Pine River, MN (where I grew up) and started offering wedding flower services. My first client was my sister, which was the most special thing! I ended the 2024 season with 7 weddings total and selling out of flowers at the flower stand each week! I am so excited to go into my next year with weddings already booked and big goals to get flowers into more hands of the community!
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?
It was definitely not a smooth road. I am grateful that it was not, because if it meant I wouldn’t be where I am today, I wouldn’t want to have had it any different. Some of the struggles include: quitting my job that I went to college for, being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and struggling to pay bills.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a flower farm and floral design business called Petal and Posy. I do wedding/event flowers, I have a flower stand I deliver flowers to weekly, I sell in local coffee shops, and am hoping to come up with more creative ways to get flowers in the hands of others in the community. I am most proud of brides allowing and trusting in me to create the flowers for a day that they have been dreaming about.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
My faith in is the most important thing to me. I know that God opens and closes doors. When I put my trust in Him, and believed He would work things out for good, the hard decisions that I needed to make and the hard times that I encountered (quitting my job, starting my own business, medical problems, financial problems) left me with a supernatural peace that can only come from God. We are not guaranteed a life free of trials. The trials I have faced have contributed my character and I am forever grateful for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.petalandposymn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petalandposy.mn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562328328884
Image Credits
bridesmaid photo and main photo credit: Out West Photography Co.
