Life & Work with Hannah Enge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Enge.

Hi Hannah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Thief River Falls, MN. The story of Shed Floral truly starts when I was a child. My great-grandmother, Majorie Hanson, owned and operated “The Shed” with my great-grandfather, Silas. It was primarily antiques and primitives at the time. She was an advocate for not only growing flowers but also showcasing them at our local county fair. Each summer, I would walk around the garden and pick flowers that looked the prettiest. When I was 15, I decided that I would do a floral arrangement instead of picking flowers. No experience, and minimal help, paired with the flowers grown in grandma’s flower beds, ended up earning me a grand champion. A florist was born from that moment.

I’m currently a (super) senior at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Studying Neuroscience B.S. and Psychology B.S. I am thankful for the opportunity to express my logical side with hard sciences while also being able to flex my creativity with flora. I spent the first few years of college working in industries that focus on soft-skills while also making the time to focus on floral design when I got the chance. When the pandemic hit, I was not able to work in the service industry and genetic research facility for a period of time, due to the state’s lockdown protocols. In that very humbling moment, I realized that flora was my best avenue to take, especially since I still had a passion for it.

With the trust of my brides, event planners, corporate groups, and my mom (she really is the best), Shed Floral is what it is today. It’s a space that sparks possibility, defies standard floral expectations, and creates an experience worth being a part of.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Struggle is an UNDERSTATEMENT. I was 21 years old when I opened, unaware of the floral market in the Twin Cities, and truthfully, had some doubts about myself and my abilities. My superhero and #1 supporter continuously throughout all of it has been my mother, Allison Enge. She not only has an amazing boutique that has home goods, clothing, and interior design, but she is also a talented florist. Her story is like mine in some respects. We both have chronic health conditions (mine being Epilepsy). Many people have told us “no”, and yet, despite that, we have broken out of every box that people have put us in.

Nowadays, it’s been smoother roads. I’ve found the sweet spot between balancing college, my business, freelancing for other florists, and maintaining a social life, while also being the healthiest I have ever been at the same time. Truly blessed, to say the least.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m more than a florist, and I’m a moment maker. I specialize in weddings, events, and also have been getting more into the corporate floral design arena as of recently.

I love creating installations and placing florals in uncommon areas. Something that makes you think to yourself, “wow, that interesting”. All of my design processes is engaging. I’m inspired by my great-grandmother’s floral garden, antiques and vintage finds, and rebirthing decades of forgotten floral techniques.

Any big plans?
I plan to graduate in a couple of semesters. At the same time, I plan to continue and integrate Shed Floral as my “full-time plan”. There is a beautiful, unassuming harmony between using my science-based degrees with the artistic/creative side to floral design. One cannot exist without another. Target goals in the next couple of years: grow my own small acreage of seasonal flowers, open Shed Floral pop-ups, and to hone in on collaboration with other small artists in various industries. I am a firm believer in the Law of Pure Potentially – if you can imagine it, it is possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shedfloral.com
• Instagram: @shedfloral
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshedtwincities/

Image Credits
Gavin Ward Photography
Clear Skye Images
Skyler and Vhan
Willow and Rose Photography