Meet Tanya Rogers | Wedding Floral Designer

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

Hi Tanya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always been a very independent, strong-minded person who likes to take the bull by the horns. Setting goals and seeing them come to fruition, has always been a rewarding experience for me. My father is self-employed and I think in a sense, being an entrepreneur was just something that was engraved in me. It is definitely a very challenging endeavor to take on and requires a lot of discipline, however the results can be very empowering.

I have done many things in my life that were self-orchestrated and when my path led me to floral design, it seemed to be a natural progression to start my own business. After getting knocked down from a previous failed business partnership in a different industry, I was at a bit of a loss. However, I had been doing floral design part time and then went on to work fulI time as a wedding florist for two seasons. Under the guidance of an amazing woman entrepreneur, I learned so much and regained my confidence in myself. When covid shut down weddings, I obviously lost my job with her, however it provided me with an opportunity to launch my own business when things started reopening. I feel like I have been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and my business is taking off!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For as long as I can remember, I have always had a deep-rooted love for all things Mother Nature. From the most minute creatures to the grandiose, from land to sea, I find the natural world fascinating. I love exploring new ecosystems and discovering unique plants, trees, and flowers. My childhood passion led me to a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology, focusing on endangered species. Through my research in India, studying socioeconomic impacts on tiger conservation, I lived amongst rural subsistence farmers. This experience of being directly connected to the land, led me to my next journey as a steward of sustainable agriculture back home in Canandaigua, NY. During that time, I obtained a seasonal job at a local florist and fell in love with floral design.

I truly enjoy working with my hands and being creative. The process of design and visual gratification of one’s work is deeply rewarding. While the elements of Mother Nature are beautiful on their own, I love to combine them in an enchanting and elegant way that brings about a greater appreciation for the stunning magnificence of our natural world. Combining my educational background with floral design, I strive to source as much locally grown and in-season products as possible, ultimately promoting a more sustainable floral industry!

Through many years of experience with several amazing mentors, I am proud to bring my multifaceted talents to life through Moondream Florals. I am a home-based design studio located in Canandaigua, NY, specializing in weddings and events throughout the beautiful Finger Lakes region. As a small, local business booking a limited number of events per year, I am able to focus on quality over quantity. Superior attention to detail enables me to ensure that your special day is the floral event of your dreams!

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.
The Finger Lakes region is full of natural beauty, wineries, breweries, hiking trails and water sports. There are plenty of fun day trips to any one of the lakes to explore an array of activities or see live music. On my hometown lake, Canandaigua, you can enjoy boating with any one of the local marinas, or take a tour on the historic paddleboat, the Canandaigua Lady. At the north end of the lake, you can stroll the path along Kershaw Park and hit up my favorite brewery, The Twisted Rail. They have live music five days a week during the summer! For hotel accommodations, we have two amazing lakefront options, The Lake House and Hotel Canandaigua, both offering waterfront restaurants with delicious food. Our downtown main street offers many additional bars and restaurants as well as shopping experiences. For a quainter artistic town, head on down to Naples at the sound end of Canandaigua lake. There are cute shops and some great restaurants. Roots is one of my favorites for sourcing local produce and meat. If you’re looking for wineries, head on over to Seneca, the largest of the Finger Lakes. There are countless options to choose from, all of which come with amazing views of the lake and the rolling vineyards. The hills around the Finger Lakes are filled with hidden gorges and glens and waterfalls, but the most famous is Watkins Glen. While it does get pretty crowded during tourist season, it’s a must see if you’ve never been!

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?
My path in life definitely has not been straight. It’s had a lot of twists and turns that have brought me to where I am today. Along the way have been several amazing people who have guided and supported me in this journey. First and foremost is my family. In any and all of my crazy ideas, they have always been there to cheer me on and do whatever it is they can do to help me succeed. Whether it’s doing my bookkeeping, sewing curtains, running electric and water lines, or simply mowing the lawn, I definitely could not do what I do without them! Additionally, there were several floral designers that taught me the ropes. Through the experience of working side by side with them, I have learned so many different techniques, design styles and mechanics, as well as floral care and diversity. Their willingness to let me explore and try new things really helped to spread my wings in the world of floral design.
Lastly, I wouldn’t have gained the confidence to venture out on my own if it weren’t for Rachel Pasquarelli with In Bloom Florals. Seeing her flourish in her business allowed me to see that I could take on the opportunity as well. Her nurturing and loving personality was everything I needed at that point in my life. Her specialization in weddings allowed me to experience a new element of floral design and decide that was the path for me!

Website: www.moondreamflorals.com

Instagram: @moondream_florals

Facebook: Moondream Florals

Image Credits
Jessica LK Photography Beauty and the Beard Creative Beanart Photography Lark and Willow Photography