Daily Inspiration: Meet Kelly Radcliff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Radcliff.

Hi Kelly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
About eight years ago, while I was still teaching full-time, I noticed a few of my friends on Instagram had started blogs. I thought, “Hey, that looks fun. Why not give it a try?” So, I created my own little corner of the internet and called it The Tattered Pew. Back then, it was all about simple DIY projects, decorating my home, and growing flowers in our garden. It was just a side hobby at first, but I soon realized how rewarding it could be—both personally and financially. So, when I hit my 20-year mark in teaching, I decided to retire and give blogging a real shot.

After my first year of full-time blogging, I decided to dig into my analytics to see what was resonating with people. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw that an old post I’d written about growing zinnias was driving tons of traffic—year after year. Since I’m kind of obsessed with flowers anyway, I figured I could talk about them all day, every day. That’s when I decided to branch out a bit and start a second Instagram account dedicated solely to zinnias. I called it The Lazy Girl’s Garden Club, and it quickly turned into a place where I could teach others how to grow their own blooms in a low-key, approachable way.

I kind of kept it a secret at first—didn’t even tell anyone except my family. Within two weeks, that “secret” was definitely out! The account exploded and hit 50k followers practically overnight, surpassing my original IG (which took me eight years to grow!). That was the moment I realized I was onto something special. Since then, I’ve poured my heart into The Lazy Girl’s Garden Club, even shifting my main website to reflect this new direction. I still love The Tattered Pew—it’s my roots—but it’s been amazing to watch my brand evolve right along with me.

I’ve been having a blast expanding and trying new things. I started a monthly membership community called BLOOM, wrote an e-book about growing zinnias, and even offer some coaching sessions. It’s been so cool to blend my teaching background with my love for flowers and blogging. My focus is on keeping things simple and fun, so people don’t feel intimidated. After all, if I can grow zinnias by just throwing seeds in the ground, then anyone can do it!

Now at 45 if friends are thinking about a career change I say go for it! Whether it’s starting a blog, growing your first flowers, or switching careers—it’s never too late to chase something that lights you up. Keep it simple, be real, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Sometimes the most unexpected ideas turn out to be your biggest wins.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, I’ve been pretty blessed to have had a mostly smooth road. With my 8 years of blogging experience and Instagram I felt equipped to start a new brand. And then there was the whole sales side of things—( I had never sold anything before) pitching brands, pricing my services, keeping track of finances—it was a lot. And I’m not always the most organized person, just ask my husband! I definitely made my fair share of mistakes (and then some!), but each challenge pushed me to get smarter and more resourceful. I tapped into some great resources and friends and asked them a lot of questions. I’m still learning as I go, and I’ve come to appreciate that scrappy, DIY spirit—it’s part of what makes this journey so exciting.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in teaching others how to grow zinnias the Lazy Girl Way and I’m known for being laid back and not afraid to break the rules along the way!

As for what I’m most proud of, it’s watching this community grow—pun intended! I love seeing people light up when they realize they can do this too. And sure, I post pretty pictures of blooms, but more than that, I’m here to remind folks that gardening doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect. It’s about enjoying nature, getting creative, and having a blast along the way. If I can inspire even one person to plant their first seed and watch it bloom, that’s the biggest win in my book.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve definitely taken some big leaps in my journey, and I’ll be honest—it can be pretty scary! When I decided to retire from my steady 20-year teaching career and dive into blogging full time, that felt like a huge risk in itself. But then, after getting comfortable with my original brand, The Tattered Pew, I went and created The Lazy Girl’s Garden Club. That was another big leap. I mean, I was basically starting over with a brand-new name, new focus, new audience—there were a lot of unknowns.

At the time, I remember thinking, “Is this too big a shift? What if this flops?” But I also knew that risk often comes hand-in-hand with growth. If I never tried, I’d always wonder “what if?” For me, that’s worse than the fear of failing. And it turns out, taking that chance paid off in ways I never could’ve imagined. The Lazy Girl’s Garden Club took off, and it ended up inspiring me to reshape my entire business.

So, do I consider myself a risk-taker? Maybe more than I used to! I think of risk as an opportunity to learn and evolve—even if things don’t go exactly as planned. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, and that’s usually where the magic happens. If you’ve got something you’re passionate about, sometimes you just have to go for it. Sure, you might stumble, but at least you’ll have a story to tell—and who knows, you might just find your next big thing.

Pricing:

• e-Book $27
• BLOOM Community $19/month
• 1-1 VIP Garden Plan/Coaching $245

Contact Info:

• Website: thetatteredpew.com & lazygirlsgardenclub.com
• Instagram: @lazygirlsgardenclub
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lazygirlsgardenclub
• Other: https://stan.store/lazygirlsgardenclub