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

Hi Cam, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with the hospitality industry. I love crafting experiences and the memories around building events for people. However, I have always struggled with the industry culture, lack of mentorship, lack of peer support, access to resources to advance in the industry, and a work/life balance that would contribute to a healthy lifestyle. After numerous years in hospitality and finding myself in the same situation of being discouraged by not being able to find a healthy, supportive environment, I thought, perhaps, I should just build one. So that was the goal; to build a professional workspace in hospitality centered around mastering what we do while teaching and offering resources to anyone that was interested.

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.
What makes me stand out in my career currently, and what I am most proud of, is the same thing that I used to be the most insecure about. My unique professional perspective in what I do stems from the fact that it was my hospitality career path that helped me navigate out of long-term food and resource scarcity. Very early on in my career, I was working on the Gulf Coast during the two-year overlap of the BP oil spill and the global recession. I had no skills, no education, no money, no support, and no future if I didn’t do something quickly. On a lark, I lied my way into a serving job, saying I was very qualified and a quick learner. Both were things that were ultimately untrue, but I promised myself that I would become those things. What followed that year was the hardest work I have ever done in my life. What followed in the years after that was slow growth and a climb towards financial stability as I became better at what I did. I eventually was able to support myself full-time through any food and beverage job, restaurant management job, or any event-related occupation. These skills and this trade were my “way out” and changed the course of my life for the better. Something that I am very clear about to this day in regards to this business, is that we are always labeled as a business, and not as a boutique. I proudly work with a ton of hard-working couples that pay bills just like I do, and are financing a lot of things in a difficult economy. I pride myself in finding creative solutions, maximizing the investment that they make, and drawing from my experience in the industry to find one or two wow factors whenever possible. I know the job I have now is a privilege and I try to approach it with the respect that it deserves.

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.
It takes more than a week to fully appreciate everything that the Tallahassee community has to offer. But in the speed dating version of five to seven days, here is what I’d recommend. Gaines Street Pies in College Town is the first place I’d suggest eating, it’s a hometown classic. Hasu Sushi is a hidden gem in itself. I proudly served there on and off for three years, and I ate as much sushi as I served. Tom Brown Park is my standard runaway place when I’m stressed. My dog and I get lost in the woods for miles there. It’s hard to be in a bad mood after looking at so much natural beauty. Bird’s Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack is my local haunt, a great place to get a burger and beverage of choice, a fantastic balance of fun atmosphere and local entertainment.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank Krisjana Turner, owner of Kris Lavender Wedding & Event Planning. I connected with Kris when I was much less established in my career, and she saw a spark in me before I even did. She took me on and let me work with her team for over two years, was gracious with her time and energy, and gave me the foundational skills that I needed to take the next step on my path. I will always be grateful for that.

Website: https://wildflowereventdesign.com

Instagram: @wildflowereventdesign

Facebook: Wildflower Event Design

Image Credits
Rivers Photo & Video (photos 1-3)
Elizabeth Birdwell Photography (photo 4, 7)
Julia Beemer Photography (photo 5)
Black & Hue Photography (photo 6)
Inga Finch Photography (photo 8)

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