Meet Katie Dy | Your Floral Bestie & Event Pro

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

Hi Katie, what do you attribute your success to?
If I were to pinpoint the most crucial element behind Wild Blooms’ success, it would be the heartfelt authenticity we pour into every creation. It’s about more than just arranging flowers; it’s about connecting with people, understanding their stories, and crafting pieces that truly reflect their emotions and vision. This genuine connection, I believe, resonates deeply and fosters lasting relationships with our clients.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At Wild & Blooms, our art is a blend of storytelling and connection through flowers. What sets us apart is our personal touch and commitment to custom, beautiful arrangements and the intentionality behind everything we create. We’re incredibly proud of the joy, beauty, and emotion our creations bring to our clients. We take the time to understand our clients’ visions, infusing their personalities and stories into the language of flowers. It’s this personal touch and dedication to creating something truly unique that distinguishes us. We don’t just make something pretty; we create moments in your core memories.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the way we’ve built connections within our communities. Seeing our arrangements add joy to people’s special moments – from weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays to simple gestures of love and remembrance – is incredibly fulfilling. I’m also constantly excited by the ever-evolving nature of floral design, always exploring new techniques, color palettes, and unexpected pairings to keep our work fresh and inspiring.

The path to where Wild & Blooms is today has been anything but easy! There were definitely some unexpected detours, moments of doubt, unbelievably long hours, and the constant juggling act of managing the creative and business sides of this business. As an example, one of the biggest challenges early on involved refining our brand identity, rebranding the existing business, and building brand awareness and trust within a competitive market. We overcame this by prioritizing consistent quality, exceptional service, and actively engaging with our community through events and collaborations.

Key lessons learned include the importance of resilience and strong relationships as every challenge became an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. I am told and experiencing that you must trust the process and success isn’t linear. The moments of struggle are just as important as the victories. Staying true to our vision, embracing the evolving journey, and surrounding ourselves with supportive people have been key in overcoming any obstacle.

Ultimately, we want the world to know that Wild & Blooms is driven by a love for love, for pretty things, and for creating beauty and connection through flowers. Behind everything we create is a deep love for what we do and the people we do it for. We’re crafting meaningful moments together in our story as it continues to unfold – we are excited to see what’s to come!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, if my best friend were visiting for a week, we’d have an absolute blast! Here’s a little itinerary blending local gems with some Southern California must-dos to get a taste of my favorites:

Day 1: Welcome to Glendora – Small Town Charm

We’d start right here in Glendora! I’d take them for a stroll down Glendora Avenue, showcasing the quaint shops and historic architecture. We’d pop into some of the local boutiques, like our friends at The Mercantile Collective, and most likely a coffee at Classic Coffee. For a casual and delicious lunch, we’d head to Ramon’s Tacos y Tapas for some delicious sangria in a relaxed atmosphere. We’d explore Rubel Castle, a unique and quirky landmark built by one man over decades. It’s a fascinating piece of local history and artistry. The glass bottle walls always bring a little chuckle and fascination. Dinner would be at Sushi n I in the village – we love supporting a local family owned business. After dinner, maybe head over to The Glendora Public Market. It has a great community vibe with boba and a brewery (and more), an after drink for any vibe!

Day 2: Mouse Magic at Disneyland & Disney California Adventure!

This is a full day activity – It’s a classic for a reason! We’d spend the entire day immersed in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. It’s a quintessential Southern California experience. I won’t say I’m a Disney adult, but we do love the magic…

Day 3: Brunch to Sunset in Laguna Beach – Coastal Beauty

After a long day at Disney, we would take a slow morning. We’d drive down to Laguna Beach and start with a leisurely cup of coffee at Jedidiah Coffee and brunch at a spot with ocean views – maybe The Cliff Restaurant for its beachfront location. We’d spend the day exploring the art galleries that Laguna is famous for, perhaps visiting the Laguna Art Museum. We could also relax on the beach, soak up the sun, and maybe even do some tide pooling. As the sun begins to set, we’d find a scenic spot for happy hour and then enjoy dinner at one of Laguna’s many fantastic restaurants with ocean vistas, if we were being fancy, I would love to try Splashes Restaurant at the Surf & Sand Resort for a more upscale experience. If we want to keep it casual, some sandwiches and more coffee, on the beach as the sun sets and maybe some marshmallows and reinforcements to bonfire on the beach. Watching the sunset over the Pacific is a must!

Day 4: Wine Tasting in Temecula – Vineyard Views

We’d take a drive inland to Temecula. We could visit a few different wineries, each with its unique charm and varietals. Some popular choices, and ones we are preferred vendors at, include Wilson Creek Winery or South Coast Winery. I also love a visit to Ponte Winery with a delicious restaurant and Europa Village for it beautiful design. We’d enjoy wine tastings, vineyard tours, and a relaxing lunch amidst the rolling hills.

Day 5: San Gabriel Valley Eats – A Culinary Adventure

The San Gabriel Valley is a foodie paradise! We’d dive into some authentic Asian cuisine to change it up from the last few says. Options could include delicious dim sum in Monterey Park, flavorful Vietnamese pho in Alhambra, or amazing Taiwanese dishes in Rowland Heights. My vote is always a dim sum brunch! We’d walk off all the delicious treats with a visit to the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. It’s a stunning place to explore art, literature, and diverse gardens. You will truly get some steps in! If it’s too warm out, we could also relive our youth spending all afternoon strolling through the Arcadia Mall. For dinner, we could try another SGV gem, perhaps some szechuan noodles at Chengdu Impression, a comforting hot pot at JazzCat, or KBBQ at Gen near home in West Covina.

Day 6: Claremont’s Intellectual Vibe – College Town Charm

For the second to last day, we’d head to Claremont, another charming small town near home known for its Claremont Colleges. We’d stop for coffee at Rev’d Up and stroll through the Village, browsing the unique shops like the Cheese Cave and various boutiques. When we start getting hungry, Claremont has some great cafes and restaurants. I have a few favorites including Bardot, Uno Tre Otto, Eureka, Union on Yale, The Back Abbey, The Quarter, Tutti Mangia, The Meat Cellar, and Viva Madrid. In the afternoon, we could visit one of the college campuses or perhaps the California Botanic Gardens (which we are also a preferred vendor!). The atmosphere in Claremont is very relaxed and intellectually stimulating. At the end of the day, we could enjoy a casual dinner at one of the above favorites and maybe catch some live music if there’s a local event.

Day 7: Farewell Brunch and Local Exploration

We’d have a final leisurely brunch at one of the local favorites, perhaps Luca Bella Fine Foods for their delicious breakfast potatoes! Depending on their flight schedule, we could revisit a favorite spot from the week or explore another hidden gem in the local area, maybe a short hiking trail if they’re feeling active, but more than likely, another coffee at Classic Coffee and chatting until it’s time to part ways.

Throughout the week, I’d want to highlight what keeps me living in the area and the people that make it so special to me. A week isn’t enough, we haven’t even hit the fun of Pasadena and exciting things to do in DTLA, but I think this is a good little sample. Living in SoCal has it’s definite perks and living in the SGV has access to the combination of beautiful places, delicious food, and the warmth of the people that truly makes this region shine!

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?
That’s such a wonderful way to frame success! I absolutely agree. There are so many individuals and influences that have shaped Wild & Blooms’ journey thus far, it’s hard to pick just one shout-out, so of course, I am going to ramble for a bit and shout-out a few!

I would be remiss if I did not start off the shout-outs with my family, especially my sister, Kayla. My parents instilled in us a strong work ethic and the courage to pursue our goals, even when it seemed daunting. They were my initial coaches, always offering advice and practical support, from the first of my bigger life decisions like choosing (and then pivoting) my major in college to the most recent, like building a walk-in cooler in our backyard, they have always been available to talk through all my big ideas. And through it all, my sister has been an absolute rockstar – her time and dedication to Wild & Blooms and her constant support of me and our business have been invaluable. Kayla is currently juggling being a full-time RN and being the other half of the brains behind Wild & Blooms, so you know she deserves this shout-out!!

Beyond my immediate family, I also want to give a big shoutout to the Glendora Chamber of Commerce. They have been an incredible resource, providing networking opportunities, guidance, and a real sense of community for a local business like ours. Their support has been instrumental in helping us continue to cultivate the relationships with our surrounding cities. Furthermore, we also owe a great deal of gratitude to the entrepreneurial and event community around us — whether through partnership, collaboration, or simply sharing wisdom and experiences. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who understand the highs and lows of building something greater than yourself has been invaluable. Whether it’s lessons on resilience, leadership, or creativity, continuous learning has played a big role in our growth.

Just one or two more shout-outs, stay with me!!

I must recognize Liz at Mellano & Company. Having a reliable and knowledgeable wholesale rep like Liz has made a significant difference in sourcing the beautiful blooms that are the heart of Wild & Blooms. Her expertise and support have been crucial to maintaining the quality and variety we strive for. While we have a few other friends at The Original Flower Market in the LA Flower District helping us source some of our beautiful blooms, Liz is always our first stop!

Finally, we want to acknowledge our wonderful team of friends and amazing clients, who have become friends! Their trust, enthusiasm, and belief in Wild & Blooms are what get me excited to wake up everyday. This journey isn’t just about us—it’s about the community we’re building, and the story we are writing together. We’re beyond grateful for every person who has been part of our story so far and are so honored to continue to be even a small part of yours.

Website: https://wildandblooms.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wildandbloomsfloral

Twitter: https://x.com/wildandblooms

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildandbloomsfloral

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wild-and-blooms-floral-glendora-2

Image Credits
SJNV Photographs
Mindy Shamp Photography
James Korin Photography
Noel Brower Photography
Erin Hughes Photography
Pauline Conway Photography
RA Media Co
Heather Elise Photography