Meet Rob Gooljar | Ph.D., Creative, & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Rob, how do you think about risk?
No risk, no reward! I’ve taken a lot of risks in life, and much of it has been met exceedingly well. There have been times where the risk didn’t pan out the way I would have wanted, but each step is a learning experience and what’s life more than a series of baby steps? I took a risk by going to grad school (twice at first, now three times; three more degrees). I was able to land an amazing corporate job, until it wasn’t so amazing anymore. I took a risk by quitting that job and starting my own firm. I took a risk by building that firm while working in a restaurant as a server. I took a risk by going back for my PhD. I took a risk for entering a field dominated by straight cis-gendered white men. I took a risk to rediscover my life as a creative in the midst of my dissertation. I took a risk to start a creative business during a global pandemic and social unrest. I took a risk to find love. I took a risk to ask for help. I take risks every day, but knowing me means understanding those risks are calculated, and that through perseverance and determination, the risks become rewards.
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.
I am not your average floral designer. Our studio was the first of its kind in Charlotte, North Carolina, a truly bespoke floral experience. The words of our clients inspire us to create for them, their loved ones, and their special events. I’ve always been an artistic person, from paint, drawing, photography, music, and mixed media; now, my art is organic through flowers! Our designs are unlike any others you’ll find. There is intention behind every stem placed. We’ve never made the same thing twice, and its been thousands of orders now. I am most proud of how much we’ve accomplished in the short two years we’ve been in business: over 60,000 flowers processed, over 60 million Instagram impressions, over 4,000 hours of work, 6 awards and multiple publications/appearances. This journey hasn’t been easy, It’s a lot of work. It’s not even the only thing I do. Everything I do, however, is filled to the brim with passion and precision. I want the world to know that even though its not easy, you’re capable. Even when you don’t feel like it, you can.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is hard, because if a friend wanted to visit with me, I’d go somewhere else LOL. But if they really wanted to see Charlotte, there’s fun to be had. We’d eat at some of my favorite restaurants: Leah and Louise, Yunta, Calle Sol, Seoul Food Meat Company, Dandelion Market to name a few. We’d drink at the place with the best bar program in the city: Para. (But we’d also drink the night away at Tilt, Resident Culture and Lost and Found). I’d take them to the mountains, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville is always a crowd pleaser. I’d take them to New Belgium Brewing and Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack. We’d hang out on the couch, do yoga at Khali Yoga, get a coffee from Summit, drink wine at Bar a Vins.

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 wish that I could name every single friend in my brain; Every person who has loved me and told me so. I wish I could list every person who has supported me no matter how bold the idea. I wish I could @ every person who has engaged with my content, from when there was three to now when there’s over thirty thousand. I want to say that I did so much of my life alone, because I have; I’ve made so much from nothing. But I can’t say that I don’t have a support network, because without them I would have given up a long time ago. This shoutout is for my support network. They know who they are without me having to name, list, or @, because they support me. Thank you always!

Website: irisblossomclt.com

Instagram: @irisblossomclt