Meet Miss Larroudé, Molly Ford.

When it comes to flowers, no one does it better than NYC florist, Molly Ford. Her impeccable creations are the stuff of magic, and a mainstay at any and every Larroudé affair. She’s as bright and cheery as the arrangements she so expertly crafts, and embodies the color and joy that’s become our signature.

@flowersbyford 

Where in NY do you live?

Bed-Stuy

Favorite Larroude Boot for Fall?

The Anne in black! I can't wait to wear them!

What excites you about Fall?

The change of seasons is always lovely! My favorite thing about any season changing is walking around the flower market to see what new blooms nature has to offer.

Favorite restaurant/dish in NY?

I love a cup of coffee from SEY and a glass of orange wine while sitting outside at Allswell. I'm always down for a meal outside at Five Leaves and Fanelli Cafe.

IG Account you follow for Inspo:

www.instagram.com/fjura_/

www.instagram.com/attepmt/

www.instagram.com/carmelfloral/

What inspires you?

Nature is crazy to me. The fact that the earth produces so many beautiful and wonderful things is mind-blowing. I love working with flowers because they’re very delicate, and vibrant, and each one is unique. I love playing with movement and shape to build something that breathes life.

How did you get your start?

When I was about 5, I told my parents I wanted to be a flower girl when I grew up. I imagined a life where I was picking wildflowers from a field. My childhood was a bit magical. We did not have a lot of money, so everything in our house was built or created by our own hands. We also had a small farm and garden that I would pick flowers from. Those were the moments that I realized I love flowers and wanted my life to be filled with beautiful flowers. About 8 years ago, I asked a floral company several times to be their intern. They eventually said yes, which turned into a part-time job for four years. I learned all the basics from that job. I also learned how hard this career can be. From all the heavy lifting, early morning market runs, late-night event strikes, and working through the weekends. That experience is the basis for everything I do now. Although being a florist is not that simple, I can't believe I get to live the lifestyle I imagined.  

Piece of advice for your younger self / One thing you wish you knew when you were first starting out?

Life is an amazing process! Don't stress so much about what you're going to "do" with it, enjoy the journey. It's about the people around you, the experiences with nature, and the small moments.

What does a typical day at work look like?

We are an event-based company so our schedule is very inconsistent. However, my current morning routine is to wake up and immediately go into our backyard. I sit in the same chair and I try to write my Morning Pages. Hudson will make coffee and we will chat about what the day should look like. It's a sweet, small routine.

What are some of the biggest challenges that you face as a business owner? How do you navigate them?

Running a small business is challenging because you have your hand in everything. Client communication, social media, studio management, event details, and everything in between. It's an all-consuming experience. The best way to navigate it is by surrounding yourself with friends who support you and a team who can help you. It's also important to have time management skills, knowing when to have intense focus and when to play.

What is one of your biggest successes so far?

The fact that my husband and I successfully run Flowers by Ford is my biggest success. I love what we have created our life to look like! I'm beyond thankful.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself having a larger team and support network while merging more into the art world, media, and set design.

I see myself in a studio full of flowers, friends, events, and memories. I want to be in a position where I can be more selective with events and clients, choosing creative moments that are exciting and challenging. I see myself expanding my long-lasting client base, as well as working with new clients. I want to create memorable arrangements and events with this amazing floral design community. I want to be pushing my personal goals, and trying new and innovative things!