...By the time I was 12, I had amassed a room-full of pet birds, snakes, lizards, and fish! My greatest joys were creating the most natural and well planted homes for the more scaly of my creatures. I vividly remember forcing my parents to help me search for "roly-polies" that I could use as a clean-up crew for my gecko's bioactive tank, one of the many gross things they would inevitably end up doing for all of my pets. It is with these planted enclosures and fish tanks that I discovered a love for tropical plants and the idea of keeping them in my space. By the time I was 15, I had collected over 100 plants, filling the shelves and floor space of my room. Getting to keep and successfully grow such unique and diverse plant species has instilled a passion for plants that I previously may not have discovered. For the past few years, I have dedicated as much of my time as possible to familiarizing myself with the plant life around me and learning ways in which human actions have and continue to be harmful on them. 

At the age of 17 I also began my journey with floral design. Floristry was never something I had intentions of pursuing, or even trying for fun, but my mind was quickly changed once I started. I started working at Bloomwoods Flowers & Gifts in May of 2024, where I started as the plant care specialist. My job was to water and care for our large selection of indoor plants, present my knowledge of them when given the opportunity, and handle customer exchanges. Before starting this job, I was hardly aware of the artistry and beauty held within the stems of a floral bouquet. Though I was quickly acquainted with it after my first attempt at an arrangement. Now, as I've continued to practice and hone-in on my skills, I get to make beautiful arrangements for many different people and many different occasions!