Meet Amber Mayfield: your local flower girl

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

Hi Amber, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind deciding to start designsbyher was also deciding whether or not I was going to let fear dictate my future. I was extremely fearful and constantly doing the “what-ifs” in my head…”What if no one supports me? What if Fail? What if I don’t make any money?”. I eventually came to a crossroad and had to make a decision – If I was passionate enough and willing to bet on myself. I am so beyond grateful for all of those in my corner pushing me to start. Pushing me to continue (It can get really hard sometimes). Deciding to start my business has been a daily lesson but more so a joyous adventure. And I wouldn’t change one bit.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is floral design. Most would say what sets me apart is my use of color in my designs. I love to create arrangements and installations using bright colored flowers and those less used within the floral industry. It challenges me every time to create something different and unique for my clients based on information given of who they are or why they came to be where they are in their life. My favorite question to ask is if they have a favorite color. This way I pull from the information and color(s) given to incorporate in their design. No two are identical just like those who receive the flowers and is something I pride myself on and advise everyone who inquires. But mainly I am proud and excited about the joy on the persons face who receives their flowers or the look on the faces of my couples who enter the room after I have done a floral installation for their big day. It’s the best reward I could ask for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had someone visiting LA for the first time I would first take them to Sip & Sonder for coffee or tea to start the day and their trip. We would then go the Flower Mart in downtown LA to show them where I like to buy flowers, introduce them to the flower friends I have at the mart and pick up a few stems for the house. On Tuesday we would go to Mandrake on La Cienaga for drinks then after to Leo’s Tacos on La Brea. On a Sunday we would go to Pann’s for brunch and have their chicken + waffles with bottomless mimosas, afterwards I would show them the neighborhood where I grew up. If we had time, I would take them on a quick trip to Palm Springs to get away from the city and to enjoy the sun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Theres so many! I wouldn’t be who I am today or where with out my tribe and the magnitude of things that inspire and encourage me. From my Mom who constantly tells me how proud she is, to my Aunt and Godmother who bought me a new computer fr my birthday this year because the one I was using was around 20 years old, to my cousin and bestfriend is my always there to help me, to my boyfriend who takes me on walks around our neighborhood when I am feeling overwhelmed and gives me pep-talk speeches to remind me of all that I have accomplished, to my best friend who allowed me to use her home as my studio for years, to my Sip & Sonder Fam that is always shouting me out and showing love. To the young Amber who was told no by so many regarding the ideas and ideal of who she wanted to be… there’s SO MANY I am grateful for that keep me going. My heart stays overflowing with the abundance of love and support I receive. I do this for them.

Website: https://www.designsbyher.com

Instagram: @designsbyambermay