Roberta Staggs on Fashion Meets Floristry, Bold Color, and Designing with Purpose

In this episode of The Florist's Table: Beautiful People, Val McNichols sits down with Roberta Staggs, founder and lead designer of Hiawathia Floral Design Co. in Indianapolis — known for her modern, editorial-style floral work and fearless use of color.

Roberta shares the story of her grandmother, whose weekly sunflower deliveries first showed her how healing flowers can be, and how a single floral workshop pulled her out of a medical career and into a creative one. She opens up about training under a strict European instructor (no foam allowed — the start of her eco-sustainable practice), her storytelling approach to Art in Bloom exhibitions, and her signature series, Fashion Meets Floristry.

They also talk representation in the floral industry, why knowing your "why" matters more than any trend, and Roberta's mission to make beautiful flowers something for everyone, every day — not just weddings and funerals.

It's a conversation about color, purpose, and showing up boldly in every space you enter.

Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/beautiful-people-roberta-staggs