Mom Friend Monday – Lauren Thompson

The weekend is over – boo! BUT it’s time for MOM FRIEND MONDAYYYY!!! So in the words of Vicki Gunvalson, “It’s time to Whoop it up!”

I’m super excited for this week’s feature – then again when am I not excited – these are AWESOME mamas!

However this week, I get to feature a real life friend, Lauren Thompson! Wife, mama to the sweetest little boy, Chandler, and co-owner of Ginger & Blooms. Ginger & Blooms is a “Wedding and Floral Design” business started by two ladies and their love for weddings! Learn more here.

But now as you all know it’s time to grab your morning cup, turn on the toons for the kids (did I say that?!), and enjoy some Mom Friend Monday mama time!!

 

MB: Hey Lauren! So excited to have you here for Mom Friend Monday!! As I mentioned above you are a co-owner/founder of an amazing wedding and floral design business, Ginger & Blooms! What made you get into floral arranging? Were you always so florally gifted?

Lauren: Gosh floral arranging kind of fell into my lap! I had been a wedding planner for two years and during that time I was always SO excited for the florals and photographers to arrive. Coincidentally I already had photography as a hobby but I never dabbled in florals.  I took a break from wedding planning and began delivery wedding florals for an insanely talented designer that I knew from my hometown.  Let’s just say I was addicted after that! It was absolutely amazing how a wedding reception could go from just a ballroom to the most warm and romantic wedding venue when the flowers arrived.  I found myself at a local wholesaler throwing away hundreds of dollars a weekend trying to figure out what I was doing! I was in LOVE! To put it lightly – I was definitely not always florally gifted. Practice makes perfect and I am still learning.

MB: That’s awesome! I’m sure your husband loved that! (Y’all her husband is the most supportive husband!) I completely agree though – there is something truly magical about the way florals can transform a space and completely change the feel of an event. It can be absolutely breathtaking!

Was it hard taking that leap of faith and turning a passion into a business? I wouldn’t know where to start!

Lauren: Yes! I think almost anyone you talk to is scared of failure.  The creative industry is such a close community yet so daunting at the same time.  I had been running my wedding planning business quietly for a year before I actually came out and admitted that I had the business and was in love with it. For me I needed community and I found that when I attended the first ever Creative at Heart Conference a couple years back! I left feeling confident and no longer alone! It’s amazing how many other people are out there on the journey to small business ownership as well. Fast forward a couple years and I found myself with a new business and a business partner!

 

MB: Oh my gosh yes! I’ve totally felt that “small but daunting” feeling myself, even with blogging. It can be super intimidating to reach out to others in the creative world and ask for advice and encouragement. Especially when it can seem like an exclusive club. I love that you found solidarity and support at the Creative at Heart Conference! What a great way to learn from others while making new friends who understand the journey you’re on.

What are your favorite types of events and flowers? Do you favor some flowers and then ignore others? Are there “cool flowers”?!

Lauren: I LOVE WEDDINGS! Weddings where the brides is equally as obsessed with florals as I am are my dream! I’m talking bouquets that make my brides feel small, floral backdrops for ceremonies and oodles of blooms on the reception tables!  One fun aspect for me in my business is that I also work full-time for a company in Richmond VA. I LOVE what I do during my 9-5 and it allows me more flexibility with my couples as it’s not my only income.  I am able to splurge for better flowers when the design really calls for it.  You will see me with peonies in anything possible! I also have a huge love for tulips – they really add so much character to designs! Ever heard of a peony tulip? Check them out!

MB: Oh my goodness that is one gorgeous bloom! Two of my favorites in one! White tulips and white peonies are just *heart eye emoji!!!*. I can’t believe you not only are a wife, mama, run your own business, but also work a 9-5! You my friend are a super woman!

If you could plan your ultimate mom friend getaway where would you go and what would you do?

Lauren: Napa! Bring on the wine! I am a sucker for good weather and a yummy glass of wine.  I think Napa would be so relaxing.  Okay, I wouldn’t mind the Caribbean either! Clear blue water with cold drinks in our hands followed by a day at the spa could be quite lovely.

MB: Oh yes please! Can we plan this girls trip – like yesterday?! Both sound dreamy!

Lastly, if you could impart some mom wisdom on our readers, what would it be?

Lauren: Let go of the plans and the guilt.  Every mom spends so much time reading to figure out what the “right” thing to do is with their child. I was blindsided when our son came almost a month early and we didn’t go home from the hospital with our bundle of joy after a couple of days. There was part of me that felt like it was my fault he came early and was having a hard first week of his life.  This guilt was all due to that fact that we plan out what that perfect time will be like and forget to leave room for the unexpected.  Let go of it all and soak in every single second whether it’s the way your pictured it or not. You are doing the most powerful job in the world and no one can do it better!

MB: Oh Lauren, yes yes yes!!! Best mom advice ever! Let go of that guilt and let go of the plans! We can only plan so much but eventually life happens! Just because things don’t go according to plan doesn’t mean you failed or are a failure. Enjoy those unexpected moments because you won’t be able to live them again!

I’m so glad you stopped by, especially with all you have going on! I’m so excited for everyone to have gotten to know you and see your gorgeous work!

Lauren: Thank you for having me and congratulations on your newest bundle!

Y’all! How amazing is she?! Oh my heart feels so full from getting to chat with these mamas each week! Being a mom is, like Lauren said, “the most powerful job in the world”, and sometimes we really need that pick me up of, “you’re doing great! You got this!”. That is what Mom Friend Monday is about. Sharing stories from other amazing mamas, sharing our victories and showing how just because we may be mamas it doesn’t mean we can’t achieve our dreams – no matter what they look like!

Be sure to follow Lauren on Instagram! That way you can check out more of her gorgeous weddings and blooms! Even some more adorable pics of her little gent!

Lauren: @lauren_gingerandblooms
Ginger & Blooms: @gingerandblooms
Ginger & Blooms on Facebook: Ginger & Blooms

AND!! Don’t forget to follow Shell and Olive (TO YOUR RIGHT!) so you don’t miss out on any of our upcoming Mom Friend Mondays! Remember we are building a community! So if you know of a kick butt mama that would be a great feature, contact me to nominate her!