Since college and even before, I was never entirely sure what path I wanted to take when it came to work. I’ve always been drawn to art and creating, but I didn’t pursue it in school. After graduation, I bounced between jobs, none of which felt quite right. For some, work is simply a means to an end, but for me, it has always needed to be more than that. I wanted a career that brought joy, purpose, and pride, something I could truly say, “I work for this, and I love it.”

Moving through different roles taught me what I didn’t want: working for someone else in a way that didn’t allow me to create, to guide my own path, or to feel fully invested in my work. I realized I thrive when I’m doing hands-on, creative work - much like the joy I found in floristry, and that money alone could never replace fulfillment. I learned that my purpose was tied to creating, illustrating, and building something meaningful with my own hands.

I also learned that the things worth having take time. Achieving my goals often felt slower and more challenging than I expected, no matter how hard I worked or how much I hoped and prayed. It was frustrating, but I came to accept it, because the most meaningful things in life are worth the wait. Through it all, I’ve kept going, even on days I wanted to give up - and that perseverance shaped the foundation of Sundays in July: a studio built on purpose, creativity, and the courage to follow your heart.