My Journey with Dahlias: Growth, Grief, and a New Chapter

My Journey with Dahlias: Growth, Grief, and a New Chapter

If you had told me a few years ago that dahlias would change my life, I might have laughed. Yet, here I am, about to make the move to our dream property, all in the name of these stunning flowers that have brought so much beauty and healing into my life. This is more than a business expansion - it's the next step in a deeply personal journey that started in the most unexpected way.

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Finding Dahlias Through Grief

My love for dahlias didn’t start with a business idea or even a simple passion for gardening. It began during one of the most challenging times in my life. Grief, as many of us know, has a way of uprooting everything you think you know about yourself. I needed something to help me navigate that dark place, something that brought both structure and light, something that allowed me to nurture, during a time when that was taken away from me...

...enter dahlias.

I saw a photo on Facebook of someone’s Cafe Au Lait flower, and it instantly captivated me. Looking at that glorious bloom online, brought an inner peace that I needed and longed for. I wondered if the flower "in-real-life" would double down on that feeling. So, credit card in hand, my online dahlia tuber shopping spree - began.

Planting those first tubers felt like an act of hope. As I nurtured them through each stage - watching them sprout, grow, and finally bloom - it was like I was learning how to heal, one petal at a time. The vibrancy of their colours and the intricate beauty of their shapes became a form of therapy for me. Dahlias began to carve my new path forward.

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The Business Blossoms

What began as a healing hobby, soon grew into something bigger. Friends and family started asking about the flowers, and before long, The Wildstyler began to bloom! 

As the business began to take shape, it felt like an extension of my journey, a way to share not only the beauty of dahlias but also the healing they had given me. Every flower I sold was a little reminder of the resilience they had taught me, and every arrangement I designed was infused with that same sense of rebirth.

Moving Forward: A New Chapter

Now, as we prepare to move to a larger property, I can't help but reflect on how far this journey has come. The decision to move isn’t just about having more space to grow my business - it’s about growing into this next chapter of life. Expanding the dahlia business means more than just flowers; it's about creating a space where I can continue to honour the healing power of nature while bringing that joy to others.

The new property will give me the room to cultivate more varieties, experiment with new colours, and create even more stunning designs for The Wildstyler and also open new doors for The Wildstyler Photography. It's exciting to think about the possibilities!

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The Power of Dahlias

For me, dahlias represent resilience, growth, and transformation. They’ve been my companions through grief, my creative inspiration, and the heart of a beautiful business that continues to grow. This move is more than just logistical - it's symbolic of the journey dahlias have taken me on, from healing to thriving.

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As I step into this new chapter, I’m filled with gratitude for the flowers that started it all, and for everyone who has supported this journey. 
I could never tell the full story of this journey without acknowledging the incredible support of my husband. Anthony, you have given me the space to flourish - both in the garden and within myself - never asking for anything in return. Your quiet strength, and belief in me, has made this journey possible. For that, I am eternally grateful x

So, whether you’re a seasoned dahlia grower or just discovering their magic, I hope this journey shows how much beauty and strength can come from nurturing something, even in the midst of challenges. These flowers have taught me that growth can emerge from the most unexpected places, and I’m excited to share this next chapter with you - filled with new blooms, new adventures, and endless possibilities.

Stay tuned for more updates from the new property - and, of course, way more dahlias!

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