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

Hi kelli, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Eventually at age 12, I moved to Lake Lanier in the little town of the beautiful Flowery Branch, Georgia! I grew up living on a houseboat (this was way back when no one lived on houseboats!) I was known as the “boat” girl in high school and little did I know at the time all the amazing memories I would make over the years on that Lake with friends and to this day I have NEVER moved away from Flowery Branch. I went to dental hygiene school right out of high school and did that a few year full time. Eventually realized that I loved education my patients on oral hygiene and already had to take so many science classes so I went back to school and got my Biology degree to teach school so I could have the honor of educating our future generations! I did both teaching school and dental hygiene together for right at 30 years. I would teach school full time and then every school break, summers, or holidays we were out of school I would do “fill ins” at various dental offices. I truly had the best of both worlds! I furthered my education over the years and after recieving my bachelors degree, I went on to get my Masters Degree, and finally a Specialist Degree in leadership. I eventually opened a photography business, (26 years ago), a CPR training business (24 years ago), and then when I married we opened an ambulance company that eventually became one of the biggest in the Southeast! I still have the photography business and CPR training business today. Once I retired a few years ago from education I knew I was too young to fully retire because I had started so young so I began to brainstorm something that would bring me joy as well as others. I needed that in my life after a divorce and really wanted to focus on spreading joy and happiness for myself and others too! Now, The Crazy Daisy mobile “build your own bouquet” flower truck was born! Not only was it a vision for me, I had a dream! I wanted this truck to be my most favorite color (purple) and to represent total happiness for anyone who came in contact with it to feel a sense of happiness and leave with a smile on their face! I added colorful flowers all in the design of the truck and even sparkle flakes in the wrap I had done on this adorable little matchbox size cute little truck! When clients build their unique one of a kind bouquet the last words I always say to them is “would you like a glitter on your bouquet”? So many love that “extra” idea and then for some it might just not be their thing. No matter what, it is always my wish thatb all of my customers leave with a smile on their face and happiness in their hearts! I never dreamed how many events I would end up doing my first year in business and all by word of mouth from my community. So much FUN!
I come from a family full of entrepreneauers. I grew up watching my entire family work hard and learned the value of a dollar at a very early age and how important it is to have a work ethic. I also was raised to understand no one in this world owes you anything. If you want something you go for it. Owning your own business comes with so many sacrafices, long hours, blood,sweat, and tears sometimes….but if you stay focused on your dreams then your dreams can become a reality! My mom raised me as a single mother and worked 3 jobs most of my life. She always told me “you can do anything you put your mind to and to never let anyone tell me differently”. (I’ve tried to always instill those same values into my own 2 sons as I raised them as a single mom as well) I admired her so much for the many sacrafices she made for me. Even though my parents divorced at an early age, they both were such great examples of hard workers to me.
Both of my grandfathers had their own businesses (multiple at one time many times) so I grew up around that environmnet and then my dad had his own business at an early age here in Atlanta and I worked for him some growing up. I witnessed my dad walk to work a few times when it snowed and right then I knew the importance and the value of sacrafices you make when you become an entrepreneauer because no one else is going to do it for you. The biggest questions i get asked daily is “how do you do it”? A single mom, a teacher, a dental hygienist, a photographer, a Cpr instructor, former owner of an ambulance company, and now owner of a mobile flower truck. The answer is simple- I put my faith EVERYDAY in the Lord above and keep on hustling! I give all the glory to him!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I would love to say I do what I do from my heart and that my customers see that I am a differnt kind of florist so that is what I feel sets me apart. They design thier creation, not me. I want my clients to leave with a smile on their face and happiness in thier heart and possibly even a little glitter if thats their thing! I want them to love their creation.

I hope my little flower truck represents who I am, just a happy girl wanting to spread that to others. I chose to decorate it like it it for that very reason- to be bright and happy!

No, it wasn’t easy getting where I am and I still have along way to go to get to where I want to be, but I will continue to work hard and follow my dreams for this little truck. I truly believe if it were easy then everyone would be doing it. That goes for anyone starting thier own business. Entreprenership isn’t for the weak. It takes HARD work, sacrafices, the motivation and drive to keep on keeping on even when things might be going like you had hoped. One day at a time. One foot in front of the other. Quitters don’t make it and that why I believe it’s so very important to never give up. If you want something bad enough, you will make it happen.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Start the day out with a nice little brunch at one of our local lake resturants then head out for a beautiful day on the boat!

A week long trip- I would probably head to definitely a beach area. My most favorite places include Exuma in the Bahamas, Turks & Caisos, Destin Florida, and Vegas! I would eat at all the local resturants and have some amazing seafood probably.

In Vegas I would definitely play some blackjack, attend many shows, and enjoy the lights, glitz, and glamour of the city itself. So much to do there!

I enjoy people watching anywhere I go. That could be on a beach, an airport, in Vegas, or simply sitting in a mall.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate and give a shout out to my amazing mother (deceased 25 years) and my wonderful father for raising me to be a strong independent woman and for the wisdom both of my parents shared with me from an early age. I live my life with purpose and try to recognize each day is a gift and hope that anyone I come in contact with leaves happier than when they arrived. My parents always told me how one act of kindness can change someones day so I do my best to show that daily to others from my heart.

God first and foremost because without him none of this would have even been possible. I thank him for giving me the strength daily to endure some of the challenges many don’t even know Ive had in this lifetime to keep pushing forward. Forever grateful!

A super big shoutout to my greatest blessings in the world- my 2 sons! They have cheered me on and continue to be my reason, my smile, and my heart!

My dear friends, small group, and other family members who have also been my rocks during my lifetime as well as my hero- My Neurosurgeon Betsy. Grunch who gave me my life back!

Website: thecrazydaizy24@gmail.com

Instagram: thecrazydaisy24@gmail.com

Linkedin: kelli mcclung

Facebook: kelli mcclung and also The Crazy Daisy

Image Credits
My personal photos

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