Life & Work with Erica Akonom of Arvada

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Akonom.

Hi Erica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My path to being a florist has definitely not been a straight line! I came to Colorado in 2018 and was in a PhD program at CU Boulder for Criminology. Then the pandemic hit and I felt so lost and unsatisfied with where my career was headed. So, to deal with that, I started a part time job as an admin at a local flower shop (because who doesn’t have the dream of working in a flower shop!). Over time I got myself trained in design, found I was actually really talented, and moved up the design ladder in that little shop. Then life did what it does best and changed the direction of my path, leading me to now owning my own business! I opened Floral Derangement Studio in 2024 and am now on a mission to design for the nerdy, queer, and out-there lovers of this world. Everyone of all walks of life deserve beautiful moments and to experience their dream wedding, and I’m here to make it happen!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My path has definitely not been a smooth one, but I am grateful that this rocky path brought me to where I am now. The past few years have felt like a crash course in life and now I feel ready for anything. Between the pandemic, multiple family health emergencies and deaths, supporting my husband through his own PhD, and just trying to find my way in the world, there is no speed bump I can’t handle.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a floral designer for weddings, elopements, and events! I am a huge nerd and hopeless romantic, and that definitely shows up in my designs. My ultimate aesthetic is somewhere between a scene from Lord of the Rings and that feeling of running through a field in a flowy dress. My greatest skill is taking a niche idea or vibe, interpreting it into florals, and creating something truly one of a kind. What sets me apart is my commitment to my client’s vision. There is nothing too random, too weird, or too specific for me to take on, and I love the journey towards bringing that vision to life!

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have a terrible sense of smell! It’s definitely ironic to be someone who works with things with lots of smells but miss most of them. I can only really smell the really specific or really intense scents, like lilies or marigolds. However, it really comes in handy when working with flower compost!

Pricing:

• Bridal bouquets = $325
• Arch designs = $600+
• Table designs = $60-130

Contact Info:

• Website: https://floralderangementstudio.com
• Instagram: @floralderangementstudio
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/floral-derangement-studio-arvada
• Pinterest: @floralderangementstudio

Image Credits
Flor de Campo Photography
Silver Mountain Photography