Beyond the Bio: Rebecca Sullivan

What is your first memory of flowers?

My earliest memories of flowers include picking lantana blooms from nearby fields and using them for bridal bouquets for my Barbie dolls. They were colorful, the perfect size and always beautifully arranged.

What experience stands out in your early years of teaching floral design?

I loved teaching floral design and had the opportunity to offer courses that provided a fully immersive and intense experience for my students. Over the years, I enjoyed sharing the therapeutic powers of floral design. Students were able to “decompress” and unwind when involved in design. In my first year of teaching floral design, I had the entire varsity football team in my class. These young men blossomed … literally. We had so much fun! The pride these boys had when they delivered their designs to their moms and girlfriends was so fulfilling! Even though I am retired from public education, I will always consider myself a teacher!

What is your present employment and what do you like best about it?

I am the owner, head designer and sole employee of Fancy Pants Floral, which means I handle everything from design to delivery. The most rewarding part of my work is creating the ideal floral design for each special moment, especially for funerals. I’ve found that listening to my clients’ stories and building personal connections with them is an essential part of my creative process.

What experience led you from teaching floral design to where you are today?

I opened my floral business while still teaching high school. My days were a whirlwind! I’d take orders during lunch and then rush home to design and deliver after the final bell. To grow my client base, I also taught “wine and design” classes at a local brewery. I loved seeing the creative progress of my returning students, and those experiences were key to building my business.

What has been your favorite job in the floral industry?

While my current business is a great success, teaching high school students was also incredibly rewarding. During my time as an educator, I helped more than 300 students earn their TSFA Level 1 floral certification.

What has been the greatest highlight of your career?

The year 2025 has been the most incredible year of my career. It kicked off with a bang; I won Texas Designer of the Year and was inducted into AIFD just two weeks later! It was also a fantastic experience to be a chair of TSFA’s dinner and design presentation at the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas Professional Development Conference, where I got to create alongside some of the best designers in the state. To top it all off, I had the chance to compete for the Society of American Florists Sylvia Cup in Arizona. I was awarded the AIFD S.H.I.N.E. scholarship and will be working and learning with Chris Norwood, AAF, AIFD, CFD, PFCI in September. What a year!!!

What do you take away from these experiences?

Some of my most cherished friendships were made behind the competitive design table. I’ve connected with amazing designers from across the state, country and the world. Beyond the awards, the boost in confidence that comes from competing is an irreplaceable benefit.