Today we’d like to introduce you to Margie Keates. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Margie Keates is the owner of The Lovely Ave and has been a Paper Florist since 2015. What started as a way to save money for her wedding turned into a love for a craft that would quickly become her passion.
She began teaching herself by buying real flowers, taking them apart, and posting innocently on Instagram. This leap of faith snowballed into designing a website, quitting her day job, and starting a new journey with an old but beautiful art form. Solidifying her artistic style and focusing on clear and concise branding, she has built a business that is recognized all over the world.
Since 2015, The Lovely Ave has been featured in multiple magazines, including being listed as Country Living’s Top 100 Most Creative People, as well as being featured by multiple online blogs like Design Sponge and Magnolia Rouge. The Lovely Ave creates realistic-looking paper flowers in their downtown Salt Lake City studio where they focus on home decor, meaningful gifts, and fine art pieces.
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?
It’s definitely been a bumpy road. Most entrepreneurs would tell you that when you’re your own boss, it can be really liberating but also, there is no roadmap.
No one to tell you what to do or not to do and that can feel really scary. When I started my business, no one else was doing what I was doing so I felt like I was paving away while also trying to figure out all the random things that pop up while running a business.
My main struggle was trying to convince others that my work was worth the money and not just something they could learn to do on their own. I also struggled (and still struggle) with imposter syndrome which I think is very common amongst entrepreneurs and business owners but it isn’t spoken about enough.
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?
I’m a Paper Florist that uses fine Italian and German crepe paper to make realistic flowers that last a lifetime.
I’m known for my colorful and joyful arrangements that can be used in home decor but are also perfect for gifts for any occasion. My use of color and how I hand paint my paper truly set my work apart from other artists in my field.
I’m most proud of the path that I’ve laid in the past 7 years for a new paper florists to flourish. I’m also very proud of my fine art pieces and the recognition that my work has received.
How do you define success?
When I was younger, I assumed that the amount of money you have defined how successful you are.
Now I define success by how my work affects my clients or anyone who sees it. It’s rare to show someone something they’ve never seen before. That sense of joy and wonderment when someone sees my flowers for the first time is truly magical and it’s free! They receive joy and learn something new while I receive excitement and pride knowing that my work enlightened another person.
I feel successful when my work touches another person whether they purchased it or not.
Contact Info:
- Email: margie@thelovelyave.com
- Website: www.thelovelyave.com
- Instagram: @thelovelyave
Image Credits
Headshot photographed by Ashlee Brooke Photography
