Faith, Business, and the Pivot That Changed Everything

Nine months ago, I made a decision that felt both terrifying and strangely obvious. I said yes to a full-time job outside my own business. After years of building North Wood Blooms with my own two hands (and a whole lot of blood, sweat, tears and hot glue), stepping into a traditional role felt like a plot twist I didn’t see coming... at least not yet. But it turns out, that “yes” wasn’t a step backward. It was a divine redirection. A faith-led pivot that has given me more clarity than I’ve ever had—not just about my business, but about my calling, my pace, and the way I want to serve others going forward.

Where it started and where it's headed:

The wood flower business I started over seven years ago—North Wood Blooms—began as a creative outlet and eventually grew into a full-time luxury studio with a team of four. For years, I poured my energy into brides, shoppers, and clients who wanted timeless florals for life’s most meaningful moments.

But as the business matured, so did my role. More and more, I found myself mentoring others in the industry—answering questions about how I priced things, where I sourced supplies, or how I built my content strategy. At the same time, I was investing in my own growth, constantly looking for ways to sharpen my business skills. The more I learned—from classes, conferences, and connections—the more I saw my floral art empowering other brands.

I realized I loved creating for non-floral businesses just as much—if not more than for my individual clints. Business installations, client gifting, team-building workshops… I didn’t plan the shift to B2B, but North Wood Blooms has been evolving naturally in that direction. And honestly? It feels completely aligned. With my new role in the B2B world, it actually feels glaringly obvious that this is the right shift for me.

It’s never been about following trends or doing what everyone else was doing. It’s always been about honoring where I feel called. Serving other businesses through handcrafted, intentional art lights me up in a new way—and allows me to show up fully as an artist, mentor and a wood flower coach/strategist.

The Full-Time Job: A Full-Circle Gift

When I accepted a position with the Small Business Development Center, I knew that I

found myself right where God wanted me to be. I started my professional career as an art teacher, grew a successful side-gig into a full-time income stream and started pouring into other business owners openly and naturally. Now I get the opportunity to blend my teaching skill set and passion with my business expertise and story. This job-description feels quite literally created for me.

Every day, I get to coach entrepreneurs, solve real business problems, and pour into passionate, driven people who remind me so much of myself. I see the same struggles, patterns, and potential that I’ve walked through—and now I get to guide others through them with confidence and world-class resources that the SBDC provides and I want to the do the same as a leader in our industry. I will never offer what the SBDC does here at WFC - I HIGHLY recommend using them for your business needs. You do NOT need to pay anyone for the services they provide. Please plug into your SBDC by searching for one near you here. After all, they are a nationwide network! I do plan on using my skills and passion to best serve you as a true-to-myself and industry leader eager to see more of us succeed on a high level.

Here is the difference between what I do here at WFC and what the SBDC provides:

Wood Flower Coaching - Andi Gretzinger	Small Business Development Center
Wood Flower Florist and Creative Business Owner Specific	All Small Businesses
Personalized mentorship and faith-based approach	General Business Advising
Paid coaching programs (1:1 & group), templates, trainings, faith-based accountability	Free one-on-one advising, business planning, financial analysis, funding guidance
Elevate the wood flower industry, empower creatives of faith, and build sustainable businesses	Strengthen the economy by supporting all small businesses across communities
Empowerment, Inspiration, Mindset Content	Strategic & Structural Support
Recommendations based on personal preference and experience	Data-backed advising grounded in best practices
Evening Hours and on-demand content - goals for online and in-person offers!	Business Day Hours - online and in person content

It’s wild how God can use our gifts in ways we never imagined. What I thought might distract me from my own business has actually refined the way I lead and clarified who I’m here to serve through both my floral business and my coaching endeavors.

Less Pressure. More Purpose.

For the first time in a long time, I’m not relying on my business to carry all the financial weight. And that margin? It has created space to lead with less pressure and more purpose.

I don’t have to launch out of fear. I don’t have to sell from scarcity. I’m no longer building with a survival mindset—I’m building from a place of overflow! I have always been a fan of the saying "you can't pour from an empty cup" and would often use the "bucket fillers" or "bucket dumpers" analogy with my elementary students during my teaching tenure. You want to be around bucket fillers. You want to be a bucket filler. You want to have a full cup to allow the abundance of time, gifts, talents and purpose to overflow naturally into your closest circle. (And I want you in that closest circle! Welcome!)

This shift to "want" from "need" has changed how I see my own journey in entrepreneurship. It doesn't have to change yours, but I now understand how much more powerful our businesses become when they’re rooted in sustainability, strategy, and service—not just in the hustle. I plan to pour into you from this mindset and help you gain a foundation in your business that provides less hustle and a solid, aligned and systemized foundation to build upon.

Who I’m Here to Serve (Now and Next)

I feel more energized and equipped than ever to support this industry I love so deeply. I know what it’s like to turn a creative passion into a sustainable business. I’ve walked the path, made the mistakes, and found the shortcuts. I’m ready to share all of it.

But I’m also ready to expand the table. I am being called by God to share my honest journey, and He was a HUGE part of it. There is no way I could have the experiences, clarity or purpose without Him and I plan fully to share the transformation I have had both personally and professionally in my relationship with Jesus Christ, journey through the bible, and submitting to God's will in my life. It's okay if that doesn't align with you, but I urge you to stick around if you are curious to learn more. I'm also eager to expand my coaching into more creative businesses, but that will take time and prayer to determine how that looks.

Wood Flower Coaching is growing into something bigger—something broader. Just like my clients I see during my 9-5, I know my experiences can help more than just wood flower enthusiasts. My coaching will always have a special place for florists, but I’m also here for:

• Makers turning their side hustle into a scalable brand

• Artists ready to monetize their creativity with clarity

• Faith-based entrepreneurs ready to align their values with their actions in both life and business.

• Small Business Owners who need processes and checklists for accountability and actionable programs to walk them step-by-step through the building of a brand.

  
  

You don’t need to fit into one box to belong here. You just need to have the desire to build a business with intention and alignment, and you probably have to be kind, ambitious and willing to do the hard work. Those are the people that I want to help.

Faith Is the Foundation

As I stated above, this journey has grown my faith in ways I didn’t expect. And I fully expect to share my faith in my coaching programs and content.

To get from where I was to where I am, I had to let go of control. I had to trust that God was working even when the plan looked different than I imagined. And I had to believe that obedience would lead to discernment and peace—and it has. I no longer feel like I have to force things into place. I know who I am. I know how I serve. And I trust the timing.

What’s Coming Next

If you’ve been watching and wondering where I’m headed—here’s what to expect:

• New coaching programs for creative entrepreneurs - after all, your journey might not always be in wood flowers either! (Gasp!)

• Resources and templates for florists and other creatives

• Opportunities to work with me 1:1 or in small, focused cohorts

• Free content and clarity-building tools through my email list and blog

• Big picture strategic business content and detail-oriented accountability content

  
  

And most importantly—ongoing faith-based encouragement to build a business that supports the life you actually want to live and the business that complements it.

Ready for the Next Level?

If you’re a believer and creative business owner who’s ready to lead with clarity and heart, you’re in the right place. I'd love to know if you are eager to boost your business with strategic guidance, scale your endeavor - let's stay connected.

Join my email list for first access to upcoming offers, resources, and the behind-the-scenes of this next chapter.

As always, I am rooting for you!