29/12/2025
Amazing Opportunity
FTD’s Intern with Ian contest provided an unforgettable opportunity for floral designer Jennifer Phillips of Vase & Vine Wedding and Event Florals and of Blue Ridge Florist in Harrisonburg, VA. As the lucky winner, Jennifer spent three transformative days working with renowned floral designer Ian Prosser AIFD and his team at Botanica International Design Studio in Tampa, FL.
Jennifer’s Journey into Floral Design
Jennifer’s path to becoming a floral designer was far from traditional. Growing up in a small town, she and her twin sister would collect flowers from fields and roadsides, simply for the love of having fresh blooms around the house. Although she didn’t initially see herself as a florist, Jennifer always dreamed of owning a business. After co-owning a retail store and helping her sister with her flower shop, the spark for floral design was ignited.
Her transition into full-time floral design came after years of working as a Safety Director for a local manufacturer. Once Jennifer and her husband purchased Blue Ridge Florist, her passion for creating floral designs began to grow, especially in the wedding and event space. “Each day is a new opportunity to create works of art and interact with people,” Jennifer shared.
A Glimpse Into Jennifer’s Internship Experience
From the moment Jennifer arrived at Botanica, her internship was filled with hands-on learning. She started by touring the facility and quickly moved into designing floral arrangements for two large weddings. Over three days, Jennifer worked alongside Ian and his talented team, tackling everything from small arrangements to more complex and dramatic designs.
“Ian and his team took the time to explain various details of the coordination efforts on accomplishing so much work in a small window of time,” Jennifer said. The team’s well-organized workflow was a key lesson, with each person playing a critical role in ensuring the floral designs were completed on time and to perfection. Jennifer was also able to gain insight into the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a floral business, including product ordering, marketing strategies, and logistics.