We recently had the chance to connect with Nicole Alston and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Lately, I’ve been struggling with consistency as a creator so I’m sure others are too. Some days I’m full of ideas, motivation, and energy — and other days, I feel stuck, unsure of what to post or if it even matters. Being an creator isn’t just about showing up online, it’s about showing up authentically, and that can be hard when you’re trying to balance real life, creativity, and pressure to always perform. I’m learning to give myself grace, to remember that consistency doesn’t mean perfection it means continuing, even when it’s slow or messy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Nicole Alston, a floral designer and creative entrepreneur behind Bloom By The Hour. My work is all about capturing emotion and beauty through floral design, but also about sharing the real-life journey behind it.
I have hand crafted bouquets for bridal events, birthdays, holidays, weddings and more. I opened Bloom By The Hour virtually on the Door Dash platform in 2022. I won Favorite Bouquet Designer of 2023 at the Black Girls Florist Conference in Atlanta. I have also been the set designer for Grammy Nominated Artist Durand Bernarr’s You Gon Grow Too Tour. In addition, curated two successful workshops: Give Her Flowers and Blooms + Flutes. Nicole has been featured on LED Baltimore Billboard, Baltimore Banner, Carats and Cake, and just recently became a finalist for Best of Baltimore Weddings Readers Poll.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My children have completely reshaped how I see myself. Through them, I’ve learned patience, resilience, and the importance of grace not just for others, but for myself. They’ve shown me parts of who I am that I might never have noticed otherwise: my strength when things get tough, my creativity in solving problems, and my capacity to love without limits. Watching them grow reminds me daily that I’m still growing too, and that has changed the way I move through the world and see my own worth.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized it wasn’t something to be ashamed of it was proof that I survived. For a long time, I tried to mask what hurt me, thinking strength meant silence. But over time, I learned that true strength comes from owning your story. Once I started speaking from a place of honesty instead of fear, my pain transformed into purpose. It became the fuel that pushed me to grow, to heal, and to help others do the same.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts by paying attention to impact and longevity. Fads often make noise they catch attention quickly but fade once the excitement dies down. Foundational shifts, on the other hand, create lasting change; they influence how people think, act, and connect long after the trend cycle moves on. I look for what’s rooted in authentic need, values, and purpose not just aesthetics or hype. If something continues to evolve and inspire deeper conversations or new standards, it’s more than a moment it’s movement.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What light inside you have you been dimming?
The light I’ve been dimming is my confidence in being seen fully as myself. On my journey, I made myself smaller to fit in, to be understood, or to avoid being “too much.” But I’m realizing that my voice, creativity, and sensitivity are not weaknesses they’re my power. I’m learning to stop apologizing for my presence, my dreams, and my vision. That light was never gone; it was just waiting for permission, from me, to shine again. As of recent, I have been posting more content showing my personality and my interests.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bloombythehour.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bloombythehour
