Meet Clare Pravato | Wedding & Event Floral Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Clare Pravato and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Clare, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always knew that I wanted to work in a creative industry. From childhood dreams of being a makeup artist or personal stylist, to high school me wanting to plan weddings – which led me to study event management at Grand Valley. Throughout college, I explored so many facets of the event industry, from wedding dresses, to venues and planning, to working for a few floral design companies. Thinking I needed to pursue a “real” job (silly Clare didn’t know that the dream job could also be the “real” job), I spent the first year and a half after college working for the University of Michigan in events. While the people and opportunities were amazing, my design loving heart knew I had to get back into something more creative. I took a leap of faith and a pay cut to get myself back into an industry I loved so much. I worked at University Flower Shop in Ann Arbor for almost 5 years until it was actually my boss who said “I think you should start your own business” in response to me asking if I could take on events they were too busy to accommodate. We had been talking for a long time at this point about my passion for work life balance and a desire to work for myself one day. Although I feared the unknown and questioned if I was ready, I knew that my passion & determination to create a life I love, along with the support from my industry peers, family & friends would help me to succeed. I will forever be thankful for that suggestion being the boost I needed to create my dream career. After having my business as a side hustle for about a year, it transitioned into a full time gig, while still having the opportunity to freelance for UFS & other floral companies. It truly does feel like the best of both worlds, and that everything happened at the exact right time for me to be where I am today, having the success that I do. I am grateful to do what I love.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I specialize in organic, romantic and garden inspired floral design for weddings and events. My eye for design and meticulous attention to detail (plus a little touch of perfectionism haha!) results in elevated, intentional & unique designs filled with texture and movement. I use locally grown flowers as much as possible, always hand select quality blooms, and use beautifully curated color palettes. I really enjoy connecting with clients, and I feel that one of my strengths is being able to perfectly translate their visions to reality in a way that exceeds expectations. I always hope to spread a bit of goodness + kindness + beauty in a world that may not always display those things, and I love that I get to share the magic of flowers with others.

I am super fortunate to say that the journey of starting my own business has come naturally for the most part. I have definitely been pushed outside of my comfort zone – having to self-motivate to get things done, work through setbacks and slow times. However, looking back, it feels that everything fell into place at the right time and I met the right people to help along the way. Over the span of many years, I made many connections, learned invaluable skills at a wide variety of businesses, did lots of research, practiced new techniques, and honed in on my design and communication styles. Some specific lessons I have learned along the way:

– A lot of success is about passion, motivation and grit. I believe that my work ethic and determination for making things happen has always helped me get to places I want in life. I remember hearing a Henry Ford quote saying “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right” and it has certainly been a guiding principle for me.
– Genuine care & kindness go a long way, in any situation.
– Making connections is everything. Many of my clients have been from different parts of my life (middle school, high school, church, college, past employers, etc.) Once I established that initial client base, not only am I getting word of mouth referrals, but I am now getting inquiries from people who found me on their own and love my style.

A bit of advice that I live by is “do what sparks joy in your life” and it has never failed me. I encourage everyone to do the same, whether in big ways or small. Pursuing joy led me to starting my own business, which has rewarded me with work life balance and the lifestyle I always imagined for myself and my family. 2023 was an amazing first year in business, and I look forward for all that is to come in 2024 and beyond.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Looking at Michigan as a whole, I would definitely take someone to northern MI! The beautiful wineries on the Old Mission & Leelanau peninsulas are a must see – the rolling hills, chateaus and water views make it our own little Wine Country. The lavender farm & gift shop at Brys Secret Garden is a magical place. A trip to Lake Michigan is a must, with a great way to see it being a leisurely tubing trip down Platte River to end up at a gorgeous expansive beach on the big lake. Pyramid Point, Pierce Stocking Drive, and Empire Bluff Trail are some of Michigan’s best views. Followed by some food & drink at Farm Club and Hoplot…where the vibes are perfect!

Grand Rapids for all the fun food & drink spots. It’s called “beer city” for a reason, but I also think it’s a great spot for foodies! A stop at Stoffer Home is a must for any interior design lover 🙂

Ann Arbor & Plymouth area – great shops, nature parks & paths, and lots of delicious food! Favorite restaurants being Pizza E Vino in Plymouth & Aventura in Ann Arbor. And a stop at the cutest retail flower shop of course, University Flower Shop 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest thank you is to Dani at University Flower Shop (UFS) for being a mentor and cheerleader, and for being so supportive of my own business endeavor. This gal is unlike any other in terms of her work ethic and passion for people. In addition, thank you to the UFS team for the unmatched kindness, support, and design talents that inspired me. I am thankful for each of my past internships & jobs (+ all the people along the way) for teaching & guiding me in the event industry.

The local flower farmers in my life also deserve a huge shoutout (Luella Acres, Marilla Field & Flora, Forget Me Not Farms, the list goes on!) They grow the most breathtaking, high quality, and unique flowers that allow me to create beautifully natural & free-flowing designs to align with the seasons. I am also really lucky to have amazing reps at Mayesh & Kennicott.

Lastly, to my family & friends for encouraging me and offering to help with design & delivery. I truly could not do this alone!

Website: https://www.clarepravatodesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarepravatodesign/

Image Credits
Samantha James Photography