happy three years, gp

A few days late, but that’s what happens when you’re running a business all on your own. But that’s how I like it; I never want to expand GP past me. I’m an indie artist and I’d like to stay that way.

Recently, I answered some questions for a blog shoutout with this women’s group I’m in. I figured I’d repost them here, as is, before she takes AI to it.

Tell us about your business. What inspired you to start it?

Golden Preserved is just me, and I create commission-based art out of sentimental flowers. It sometimes feels silly to call it a business because I don’t necessarily see Golden Preserved as a business. Sure, it functions like one, kind of, with its website, and Instagram, and little client documents and silly official email. But I’m really just pulling together my various knowledge, the skills I’ve acquired, and a determination to live my life how I want to live it. I honestly didn’t plan for this, or I have been planning all along. Golden Preserved feels more like a piece of me rather than a sterile business title. She’s an LLC, but I treat her like an extension of myself.

What has been your biggest challenge as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

 I have wanted something for a very long time. When I was a teenager, I had this water jug of money, and I had written on it “for my bakery with an all-around porch.” I tried to draw the house with an all-around porch, but drawing has never been my strong suit. I used that money to move to Portland, Oregon for pastry school.

I quit being a baker before I got my bakery with an all-around porch because it wasn’t the lifestyle I wanted. I didn’t yet know I could adjust, that I didn’t have to follow everyone else’s timeline.

It is so challenging to walk away from something you’ve worked extremely hard at. But it’s okay to. I needed to overcome that fear of failing or giving up and give it a new identity. Golden Preserved couldn’t have been born without my own shift in mindset, and because of that, Golden Preserved will grow with me exactly as I need it to.

How has being a member of Hive Ambition impacted your entrepreneurial journey?

The Hive has supported the business side—like Rachel with marketing and Ashley with finances, Amy with social media, Ashley with telling me it’s okay to still use a physical calendar and post-its. The girls are reinforcing following the path that feels comfortable, to make it as harmonious with my life as I possibly can.

What advice would you give to women considering starting their own business?

If you really want to, you will. There’s no advice I can give you because we are not the same person with the same circumstances or skills or knowledge; you have not lived my life, and I have not lived yours. So, if you really want to, you will.

 Can you share a moment when you felt particularly proud of your business?

I’m proud of starting it! And nurturing it and making changes to better support my life, while also providing a really beautiful piece of art. What I make is so personal to other people and I don’t take that for granted, but ultimately, Golden Preserved is for me, and I take a lot of pride in that.

 How do you balance ambition with self-care in your daily life?

My ambition is my self-care.

How does your business align with your personal values and your soul's purpose?

I have been agnostic my entire life. At 36, I firmly stand in I’d rather not question why I am here. I find peace in the simple joys of life for however long I’m able, and that is my purpose. Being a stay-at-home artist allows me to intertwine my hikes with my husband, making dinner for friends, weekends away, and sitting on the deck listening to the birds, all while making beautiful and sentimental art with dried flowers.

What does living in alignment mean to you, and how do you integrate it into your business?

When I worked for someone else, I couldn’t listen to my body. Being able to listen to my needs on a daily basis is the ultimate alignment.

Can you share a moment when you felt truly aligned with your work and its impact?

My husband opened a record shop last week. At noon on opening day, we had a sea of people. A florist friend, a few friends we see on Friday nights, and two past clients of mine. I preserved F and M’s flowers from an anniversary bouquet sent from prison. F and M have a real love story that suffered a truly tragic accident, but they’re together again! And we all hugged because F is now in school for social work, and that’s what my husband studied and F was like “You know something so intimate about me, so I wanted to introduce myself.” And they bought a few records. And it just felt like my husband and I are really creating something beautiful and will continue to grow within this little community. And sometimes I downplay what I do, but it really is something special.

What practices help you stay grounded and aligned during busy or challenging times?

Living in Western North Carolina helps a lot! I go take a freakin walk; uphill in the woods, around a lake, in a big antique mall if it’s raining. It’s also so easy to stay grounded when you feel safe and comfortable in your home.

What legacy or impact do you hope your business will leave on the world?

I truly don’t think about this and maybe that’s because I am intentionally childless. I suppose my only hope is that I inspire friends who are miserable to act on changing it—which, TBH I have. Two friends!

How do you define success as an entrepreneur?

 I helped buy our house with Golden Preserved. I made friends through Golden Preserved. I built a life I love waking up to, and I couldn’t ask for more. That, I suppose, makes me successful.