Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Santoro.
Hi Erica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband Nick and I always felt a deep connection with creativity and nature but it wasn’t until we started planning our own wedding where we found a way to marry the two. Our vegetable garden was slowly overtaken by flower seeds and dahlia tubers. We started reading farming books, blogs, taking online courses like the Floret Farming Workshop, and visiting public farms.
Once we realized just how much our passion was growing, we started searching for a larger piece of land. Our old property was roughly .75 acres when we came across an abandoned farmhouse on 10 acres in Columbus. We immediately felt connected to this land and found ourselves visiting the property almost weekly. We felt so drawn to the idea of restoring it into our forever home and creating a place where we could step outside and feel completely surrounded by natural beauty.
We ended up bidding on the property alongside four other couples. We knew it was a long shot, but when we submitted our offer, we also included a letter explaining our intentions for the property and what we hoped to create there. When we received the call that the property was ours, it was one of the happiest days of our lives!
We now live and grow on our 10-acre farm offering flowers through full service wedding florals, wholesale florists, DIY Bulk buckets, Bouquet Subscriptions, Workshops and our farmstand.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not always! We are always looking to make improvements and do a lot of trial-and-error testing to find the methods that work best for our farm and business.
It was difficult at first to hire our first few employees. We didn’t know how we could “clone” ourselves to get more done, and opening up our farm to other people felt really vulnerable. We quickly learned that it wasn’t about finding people who worked exactly like us or had the same work ethic, but rather recognizing each individual’s strengths and giving them the opportunity to shine in their own way. Blushing Fields today isn’t just Nick and me anymore. It’s made up of an amazing team of people who each bring something special to the table and work so hard to make us what we are today.
Another struggle that is just part of the name of the game with farming! We once bought 50 roses with the idea of making a big bang entrance into rose growing. Unfortunately, that patch was hit with rose rosette disease, an incurable and contagious virus that affects roses. We lost all 50+ plants and had to start completely from scratch, which was a huge loss on so many levels. It was a tough lesson, but one that taught us a lot. Since then, we’ve learned how to properly monitor for the virus and quickly remove any affected plants when needed. Today, our roses look better than ever!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I initially dabbled in the wedding industry as a stationery calligrapher, where I would spend hours sourcing handmade paper vendors, finding the perfect ink, and creating invitation suites. I loved the careful, slow, intentional process of creating something truly one of a kind. Looking back, I think so much of that same philosophy is instilled in Blushing Fields today.
Blushing Fields has grown into a unique hybrid of a wedding design business and flower farm, and I think those two sides of our business really reflect everything I’ve always loved. We are very particular about quality here at the farm. Growing flowers is one thing, but growing them with consistency, reliability, and an incredible level of quality is another. We believe the little details matter and really do make all the difference. I’m most proud knowing how much effort and care goes into each stem that leaves our farm.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Let your daydream guide you. Listen to it, feel it, and just start somewhere.
Like all business owners starting out, you don’t always know what questions to ask or what direction to take. We found ourselves initially doing a lot of things simply because that’s what others in the industry were doing. Over time, we’ve realized we needed to tailor some of these methods to what works best for core beliefs, our family and our growing zone.
Another really important lesson has been learning that burnout is real, and you can’t pour from an empty cup. When you’re building something you’re so passionate about, it’s easy to let it consume every part of your life. There have been plenty of times we’ve taken on too much and felt stretched too thin. We’ve learned that asking for help isn’t a weakness, that you don’t have to do everything yourself, and that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your business. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is step back, give yourself some breathing room, and remember why you started in the first place. This is especially true for us now with 3 young boys under the age of 5!
I feel the biggest takeaway is that there isn’t one right way to build a business. You & life will change, your business will change, and what works for you today might not work five years from now. Be willing to always learn, pivot, ask for help, and most importantly, give yourself the grace to figure it out along the way. Oh, and there’s always time to be silly and have fun!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blushingfieldsflowerfarm.com
- Instagram: @blushingfields
