Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Nestor.
Hi Katelyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I didn’t grow up dreaming of flower farming, and I definitely didn’t expect to trade a lab coat and goggles for compost and clippers, but life has a funny way of rerouting you. In 2020, I went from being an environmental chemist to a flower farmer after being gifted 1,400 dahlia tubers and deciding to just go for it. I didn’t have all the answers, but I showed up every day and figured it out as I went.
Spoiler alert: I faked it ‘til I flowered.
Hi, I’m Katelyn! Your friendly neighborhood floral designer, freelancer, and flower farmer based in Savannah, Georgia. My story actually started in Michigan, right around the time the world hit pause. I had just left my lab job, hoping to find something closer to home… I just didn’t expect that “closer to home” would be literally in my own backyard.
When my mom’s boss gave us a bunch of extra dahlia tubers he couldn’t use in his landscaping accounts, I dove headfirst into learning how to grow, harvest, arrange, and sell them. That sent me down the rabbit hole of flower farming, and opened my eyes to something I’d never really thought about before: where our flowers actually come from. Turns out, the U.S. imports over $2 billion worth of cut flowers every year, and more than 80% of the flowers sold here are grown overseas. That means most of the stems we see in grocery stores or big-box arrangements have flown thousands of miles before ever landing in a vase. Once I learned that, I became passionate about supporting locally grown blooms and doing what I could to help shift that narrative.
With nowhere to go and nothing but time during lockdown, we decided to go all in. We brought in compost by the truckload, built a little greenhouse, converted the garage into a design studio, and slowly transformed my parents’ backyard into a full-blown flower farm. Over the years, we’ve sold bouquet subscriptions, hosted workshops, and designed for everything from weddings and baby showers to funerals and “just because” moments. We also found an amazing community of flower farmer friends who welcomed us with open arms and taught me the value of community over competition.
When I married my husband, Paul, in 2021, he was stationed in Georgia, which meant I had to figure out how to be in two places at once – fun challenge, right? Thankfully, my mom, Kristina, stepped up as farm manager and has kept things blooming in Michigan ever since. In 2023, I launched a second location of our farm in Richmond Hill and started freelancing with other designers in the Savannah area.
Since then, I’ve worked on everything from intimate elopements to large-scale weddings and luxury events. One of my favorite things about this industry is how it’s constantly evolving: every project brings a new vibe, a new vision, and a new chance to get creative. These days, I’m focusing on growing the design side of my business, collaborating with couples, photographers, and corporate clients to make their floral visions come to life.
Paul and I are currently house hunting (please send good vibes), and once we find the right place, we’re dreaming of turning part of the property into a photo-friendly flower venue. At the core of it all, I just love helping people connect – with flowers, with nature, and with each other. My goal is to create spaces where people can slow down, soak it in, and make new memories surrounded by flowers and their favorite people.
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 to get here, but those challenges have strengthened my sense of resilience, deepened my friendships, and reminded me of how important community truly is. One of the hardest moments came last year while my husband was deployed. After moving all of our flower farm supplies 900 miles across the country, building garden beds by hand, planting thousands of seeds, and harvesting buckets of blooms, I found myself in an unexpected legal situation that forced me to shut down the farm.
I had unknowingly missed a local licensing requirement, and by the time I became aware of the issue, it had escalated to the point that the county intervened. Our lease was nearly revoked, and I was required to remove the gardens from the property. It was devastating, especially after all the physical and emotional investment, but I took full responsibility and worked quickly to address it. With the help of a lawyer, we were able to remain in our home, relocate the business, and bring everything into full compliance.
Since our new studio doesn’t have space to grow flowers, I’ve temporarily pivoted my business to focus on floral design until we find a new property and can bring farming back into the mix. While I do miss growing, this shift has given me the chance to refine my creative process, learn from other designers, and connect more deeply with my clients. Savannah has such a welcoming floral community, and I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by people who live the mantra of community over competition, just like my flower friends in Michigan.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do a little bit of everything in the flower world, and no two days ever look the same. I wrangle buckets, tame floral chaos with spreadsheets and sticky labels, and occasionally figure out how to turn someone’s love of Lord Huron into an entire floral vibe for their wedding. Some days, I’m elbows-deep in a bucket of hydrangeas, helping a fellow florist process hundreds of stems. Other days, I’m curled up with my laptop, hunting down the perfect color match or mapping out timelines. A typical Thursday might involve troubleshooting a design mechanic while a true crime podcast plays in the background. Event days? Those can look like hauling buckets in the rain, squeezing into a service elevator with a cart full of blooms, or trekking through a field to find just the right spot for a ceremony ground meadow. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s always interesting, and I love watching a solid collaboration come to life.
These days, I focus mostly on floral design for weddings and events around Savannah, the Golden Isles, and Hilton Head. What I love most is helping people create designs that feel like them – whether that’s a whimsical wildflower crown to match funky round ’70s glasses, or something sculptural and dramatic that makes the reception feel like an art show. I’m especially drawn to unexpected color palettes, seasonal ingredients, and interesting textures that make a statement.
What sets my work apart is my background in flower farming. Knowing how flowers grow – when they’re in season, how long they’ll last, and where to find the good stuff locally – helps me design with intention (and pivot when the unexpected happens). I still work with that farmer’s mindset: get your hands dirty, stay grounded, and adapt as you go.
At the end of the day, I’m proud not just of my work, but of the community I’ve found along the way. Savannah is full of wildly talented, kind-hearted designers and vendors, and I feel lucky every day to be creating alongside them.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One resource I recommend to every small business owner or entrepreneur is SCORE.org. They were instrumental in helping me reestablish my business when I faced some unexpected challenges last year. Their free mentorship program pairs you with experienced volunteers who offer guidance on everything from starting a business to navigating financial, legal, and licensing questions. It was a game changer for me, and I always point fellow business owners in their direction.
Beyond that, getting plugged into the local floral community has been incredibly impactful for me. Surrounding myself with people who understand the ups and downs of this industry has made me a better designer, a stronger business owner, and a more grounded person. Finding your people – especially those who share your passion – can be one of the most valuable resources of all. It’s where real growth, collaboration, and creativity happen.
For flower farming, I leaned heavily on Lisa Mason-Ziegler’s Cool Flowers book and Dr. Allan Armitage’s Specialty Cut Flowers – both were key to learning what to grow, when, and how to process it once it was harvested. I also loved ordering plant plugs from Farmer Bailey; they made scaling up feel a lot more doable.
When it comes to floral mechanics, pricing, and the business side of things, Real Flower Business with Alison Ellis has been an absolute game changer. There’s way more math in this industry than people expect, and knowing how to price, plan, and profit without burning out is essential.
And honestly? Facebook groups like Real Flower Business, Flower Farmers, and Florists Helping Florists helped me bridge the gap between in-person mentorship and the online world. The groups are full of people who have been in my shoes before and can offer advice. It’s a reminder that even in a creative field, community is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peachykeeneflowerfarm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachykeeneflowerfarm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peachykeeneflowerfarm
Image Credits
Profile photo: Kristin Marie Photography
Photos 1+2: Tripp Photo
Photo 3: Jeff & Mollie
Photo 4: Karen Norian Photography, Alex Converse Photography
Photo 5: Abby Giles Photography
Photo 6: Selah + Bloom Photo & Co
Photos 7+8: Karen Norian Photography
