Today we’d like to introduce you to Betsy Borden. She shares her story with us below:
Betsy M. Borden is the owner of, and designer for Dancing Daisies Floral; a Home Boutique Floral Studio in Farmington, Utah. This former full-time elementary school teacher made the leap to full-time flowers in the spring of 2019. When she’s not designing wedding flowers for local brides, she’s creating beautiful floral pieces for everyday customers, or planning workshop classes here in Utah and other national floral retreats. Dancing Daisies Floral has been featured in the recently published book Fascination of Floral Couture; Flowers to Wear by Julia Marie Schmitt, The Utah Bride and Groom Magazine Blog, Green Wedding Shoes Blog, Rocky Mountain Bride Magazine Blog, Florist Review Magazine, ABC4’s Good Morning Utah, and HGTV’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition televising series. Dancing Daisies Floral also provided elegant floral arrangements for the EcoLuxe Lounge event with Durkin Entertainment at the 2016 and 2017 Sundance Film Festivals in Park City, Utah.
Betsy is a student of Susan McCleary (@passionflowersue) and has attended the 2017 Intrigued Experience Workshop with Sarah Campbell, and the April 2018 Design Sanctuary Workshop with Susan Davis (@freshdesignsflorist) and Shannon Wellington (@shannonwellingtonweddings). After attending Design Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, Betsy was invited to teach Wearable Floral Design at the November 2018 Design Sanctuary Workshop held in Dallas, Texas. Most recently, Betsy taught at the Floral Source Retreat in Santa Cruz, Ca. (@thefloralsource) This amazing event was hosted by Baltimore area designer Kelly Shore (@petalsbytheshore).
Betsy enjoys teaching floral design in a welcoming, “community not competition” environment that encourages the sourcing of American and locally grown flowers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This October marks the 7th anniversary for Dancing Daisies Floral. The first three years I was still teaching school full time and doing flowers on the side. In year 4, I was one of two teachers in a job share position, which allowed me to move to half time at school and half time for flowers. Smooth road? Not quite! Year 5, I resigned my teaching position, and made the jump to full-time flowers! This was a scary decision; insurance changes, the stability of a 9-5 job, etc. but I was excited for this new calling! My 6th year of business was the most challenging to date. One word; Covid.
The loss of income due to the cancellation of school dances, weddings, and other events was a true hardship for my little business. Luckily for me though, after a short closure, I was still able to safely do contactless flower deliveries to homes in my area!
Year 7 for my business has brought a variety of new pandemic-related struggles; flower shortages, hard good supply issues, shipping, and delivery delays, just to name a few! Add to that, the rescheduling of all the event cancellations from 2020, so dates are limited for new clients!
I continue to try and stay positive while facing new challenges, and I am so very grateful for my amazing flower farmers, wedding and day-to-day clients, and wholesale suppliers!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is recognized for bright, vibrant designs, with an emphasis on “wearable floral fashions!” My bridal clients often ask for something different than the traditional “blush and white bouquet. They know I love to create unique artistry pieces with attention to fine detail work, whether it be their bridal bouquet or even specialty custom earrings! I enjoy creating floral hair fashion, extravagant headpieces, beautiful headbands, and even flower jewelry!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I’m happiest when my clients trust me to create without restrictions; they just know the end result will be spectacular and beautiful! In addition to wedding work, when I have the opportunity to design an amazing, colorful, wearable piece for high fashion editorial work, it makes my heart (and soul) so joyful!
Contact Info:
- Email: dancingdaisiesfloral@gmail.com
- Website: www.dancingdaisiesfloral.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancingdaisiesfloral/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://touch.facebook.com/dancingdaisiesfloral/?__tn__=C-R
Image Credits
Ashley DeHart
Kerry Horrocks
Brooke Bakken
Lisa Gemperline
Brooke Bakken
McKenzie Deacons
Kerry Horrocks
Brianna Siddoway
Jessie & Dallin Photography
Lauren Fair
