At an age when most of wondering what to do in life, Shayla has accomplished so much.  With a uni degree and an accomplished business owner, Shayla chatted with us about her own self journey.

I call Shayla a powerhouse and I know after watching this interview you will agree.

ABOUT OUR GUEST, Shayla Harvey

My name is Shay! A 24 year old go getter with a life long mission to never settle!

Let me take you back to the beginning. I was a teenager growing up in a household where academic success was my one and only pathway. I followed this through to a university degree I thought would tumble me into my dream career. Oh boy, was I so wrong.

Lost, confused and a whole lot of wtf moments. I scrapped through uni with to be honest not a lot of passion and drive to continue.

I started a little side hustle in 2020, Lilith & Co. I created polymer clay earrings for around on year. I worked in education at the time so this was a hit for teachers and gifts. Funny thing was, I barely wore my own creaitons. i guess you could say I grew out of my hobby quickly.

After around 12 months of earrings, I was inspired to create dried blooms. Can I just say, in reflection, I am so humbled by my first bunches. My lordy lord was that a blast from the past. Let’s just say the skills have certainly improved since then!

I continued a self taught journey of dried flowers. This was the spark I was yearning for. My heart and soul awakened. I felt like this was finally something I genuinely loved.

During this time, around 18 months into the business, I was still attending uni full time, working full time and well working at a full time speed in the business. I was one busy 21 year old!

I entered my final placement of uni in 2022. My dream job. Every I thought I wanted. I HATED IT! Working in a job that mental drained me, I turned into a ball of anxiety and genuinely made me such an unhappy person, I was out of there in 9 months.

WTF was I going to do now. My forever life long job was mine. I didn’t want it. I was graduating uni in 4 months. I honestly felt numb. I felt I had wasted so long of my late teens and early twenties working towards a life I no longer aligned with.

A friend of my sisters reached out and asked us to create her wedding blooms. Excuse my language but, I was shitting myself. Absolutely out of my depth. Completely paralysed at the tought of messing up someones love day.

I did it.

I nailed it.

The bride and groom LOVED their wedding flowers and honestly it was a breath of fresh air to hear their amazing feedback.

The venue they married in commented the flowers were the most beautiful they had seen in a long time. Sorry what?! Little old me receiving kind words on our first wedding.

From this, wedding piled in. Venues begged us to showcase at their open days. We booked out months and years in events.

Fast forward four years into the business, we are thriving in the wedding and events space. As a self taught florist, I have always been alone from the pack. I tend to steer to individuality rather than trends.

Never did I think for a moment when graduating year 12 at 16 years of age would I have created this life for myself. In no way did I think I would have left my dream job. And, I did. I am so proud of my journey and hold so much gratitude to that 16 year old who pledged to never give up.

Connect here:  

https://lilithandco.store/

Insta: Lilith.and.co