Flowers and Finds... but first, my name is Molly Ford.

This channel is where I will share business tips, shopping guides, monthly recaps, interviews, and more. But first, I wanted to share a little bit about myself. Welcome to Flowers and Finds.

Flowers and Finds will be my little piece of the internet to share everything I love! I want to discuss shopping, business, flowers, gardening, friendships, hosting and more! Before I get into guides, tips, and interviews, I wanted to start things off by sharing a little bit about my journey. To say I’m grateful feels like an understatement. I never dreamed my life could look like this, and I owe so much to the love and support of everyone who’s believed in me along the way.

I was born in a desert town in California to free-spirited parents. They fell in love in Mexico and got married just two weeks after meeting. Thirty-three years later, they’re still together. My family moved to Arkansas when I was two. That transition is a story of its own—one I’ll share with you someday.

I grew up in a small town in southern Arkansas, the kind of place where a local Wal-Mart becoming a Wal-Mart Supercenter was a big event. As a teen, the cool place to hang out was Sonic drive-in. The movie theater was a 30+ mile drive to a different town. I knew everyone and it felt like I was raised by the whole town. I haven't been back in over 10 years but the memories feel like yesterday.

My childhood was shaped by humble beginnings, where our greatest resources came from nature and the kindness of our community. My parents are artists, and they poured their creativity into every corner of our home on Maple Street. Each room was painted in vibrant colors, and my bedroom was a tropical garden mural that extended to the hand-painted hardwood floors. My mom even crafted our furniture from wild vines gathered in the forest. She later built a business and was featured in Southern Living. People often stopped to admire our quirky, colorful home—and the equally quirky Californian family living in small-town Arkansas.

From the woods behind my house to the garden my parents received as a gift, I was always outside, getting my hands dirty. I would run around with no shoes on, playing in the yard for hours. This is where my imagination would run wild. Growing up as the youngest child by 13 years, I spent a lot of time playing alone or with my niece. However, I was never afraid to be alone because nature was my friend.

It’s still one of my favorite things to do… get my hands dirty. It’s like therapy. It’s my peace. It’s when I feel the most artistic and playful. I even told my parents, “When I grow up, I want to be a flower girl.” I imagined my life in a flower field, getting my hands dirty.

In high school, I was lucky enough to travel the world for humanitarian aid. With money I saved from my part-time job at Sonic and some fundraising, I went on my first month long trip to Australia in 2009. Before college, I got to see amazing places like the Sydney Opera House, the Panama Canal, Petra, and the Dead Sea. Those experiences taught me to dream big and go after what I wanted without holding back.

I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma for college. I was the first person in my immediate family to go to a university. Tulsa became my home where I built lifelong friendships and met my husband, Hudson.

College was a time to build and dream. I felt exhilarated by options and new relationships. I ended up studying International Community Development and Non-Profit Business. I wanted to work with local and international organizations to make a difference. After school, I worked with local non-profits for several years. In 2016, I started working at a floral shop on the weekends, only after asking them three times to be an unpaid intern. I remember walking into their shop all three times to “follow up” if they needed any help. Taylor, the owner, eventually said yes. That internship turned into a part-time job for three years. I worked the storefront, created arrangements and installations, was on the breakdown team, joined the wedding coordinating team, and even created their website.

While working there, my weekends were a whirlwind: working as a wedding florist from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., changing into a black dress in the venue bathroom, event coordinating until midnight, and breaking down floral installations post-event. I wouldn’t get home until 2 a.m., but I loved every moment. It sparked a dream in me!

In 2019, Hudson and I wanted to purchase a home in Tulsa or move somewhere else! We were young, broke, and eager. A job opportunity with a non-profit brought us to New York City. We sold everything, packed up, and drove across the country. We moved into a small, dirty Bushwick apartment. I remember calling our broker the day after we signed our lease, asking if we could break it. He laughed and said, “That’s not how this works. You’ll love it! Give it time.” So we gave it time and ended up loving it. We made it into a cozy home where we would throw parties and host friends from out of town. It was also the cheapest rent I will ever pay in New York.

The pandemic hit just a year after we moved to New York. It was a challenging time of grief, confusion, and isolation for many, but it also offered a rare opportunity to reflect and reset.

It was during this pause that Flowers by Ford was born, and it changed my life forever.

Starting a business from nothing, especially in New York City, taught me so much about grit, joy, and resilience. I’ve learned about hiring staff, signing leases, managing budgets, client relations, and building meaningful connections. The journey has been challenging and rewarding. I have so much to share about this! Saving those thoughts for future newsletters.

Looking back at my life has helped me pause. Life is precious and we all have a beautiful story. It still blows me away that I get to live out my dreams. I want to always get my hands dirty, see lack as an opportunity, dream big and love those around me.

Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I’m so glad you’re here! This is where I want to share it all: my story, lessons learned, and insights to help others along the way. Along with the fun stuff like guides, interviews, and monthly recaps.

Thank you for your time and support! I can’t wait to share more.

With kindness,

Molly Ford