Meet Ashley Higashi | Owner and founder of Feast and Floral

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

Hi Ashley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I knew that hosting a party and all the planning that goes into it came naturally to me. I have a flair for making things “extra” and taking something simple to over the top. I also know that creating beautiful food and organizing events does not come easy to everyone and is in fact quite a trigger for stress for many people. I hosted an event at my home 4 years ago where I created a grazing table for my guests to gather around and mingle. It became the conversation piece and a comfortable way for strangers to connect. One of my guests suggested I try it professionally and the lightbulb went off. I became official just a couple months after and landed my first gig at Apple headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Art and creativity have been my strength for as long as I can remember. As a small child my parents often thought I was tracing images rather than drawing them by hand. Growing up I was awarded mentions or placements in local art shows and into adulthood, creativity continued to be an outlet for me and a source of happiness and serenity in an otherwise loud and chaotic world. When my children were young, I used my art to create gifts for babies and little girls that I would sell at local art fairs. I used email and word of mouth to get my product to the community but it never took off the way charcuterie boards has and I credit social media for the success. While social media has been a tremendous factor in my success, it is also a constant uphill battle to set yourself apart from the others. I have a natural eye for color and a strong attention to detail that shows in my boards and tables. I take extreme pride in my work and hope that it sets me apart in an over saturated online existence.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was born and raised in Palo Alto and have watched it evolve into a completely different small town from what it was in the early eighties. While I often find myself unable to relate to most of the people that live here now, I do know how and where to have a good time. Palo Alto is conveniently located in just about the center of the Bay Area. It is a quick 30 minute drive to Half Moon Bay for a foggy quiet beach day with some of the best fish and chips (Barbara’s fish trap) and about a 45 minute drive over the hill to Santa Cruz for a sunnier beach day with coastal activities like hiking, shopping and the iconic Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. While my happy place is most certainly at the beach, a visit to Palo Alto would not be complete without a drive up to San Francisco. Destinations aside though, Palo Alto on its own is a great place to visit. Some of my favorite places to eat include La Bodegita del Medio, Terun, Zola and nearby Octopus sushi and Bistro Vida. The recently opened Guild Theater in Menlo Park is my new favorite place. The Guild hosts so many great bands and brings live music back to the Peninsula.

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?
I started this business with my sister Kim Cassingham and now run it daily with my son Ethan Higashi. My husband and 2 daughters along with my dear friend Chris Barry all contribute to making Feast and Floral the success that it is today. I have met many small business owners along the way and am part of a huge network of creators on social media that inspire me daily.

Website: www.feastandfloral.com

Instagram: @feastandfloral

Facebook: @feastandfloral

Yelp: Feast and Floral

Image Credits
Chris Barry -profile pic Ashley Higashi- all other pics