Today we’d like to introduce you to Damaris Feliciano.
Hi Damaris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My love for flowers began in my mother’s orchid garden. Watching her taught me to listen to living things—to water before they wilt, to turn them toward the light, to wait. Those lessons of patience, discipline, and love followed me beyond the garden.
Upon graduating from High School in Puerto Rico I decided to follow my passion and go to Floral Design School. While studying Floristry I designed my husband and I’s wedding day – my first “Luxury Wedding” -with the assistance of my floral instructor and fellow classmates. In 1995, I earned a diploma in Floral Design and stepped into a field that filled me with joy and allowed me to use my creativity and love for flowers, but it didn’t support us financially, so I took on other jobs and returned to college—first in computer studies, then in business administration. Even as life pulled me in different directions, I carried my love for florals like a seed in my pocket.
In 1999, my husband and I made the brave decision to move to Jacksonville, Florida. We arrived with no family, no network, limited resources, and English as a second language, but with a desire to succeed and provide a better future for our family.
I’ve started over, learned new skills, taken unexpected jobs, and in the midst of it all, I still found myself creating floral arrangements that brought joy to friends we made along the way and church events.
Over the years I worked in different fields; a baker, secretary, office manager and even triage department supervisor at a laboratory, where I served for 10 years. I mention these roles because each one helped form a foundation. They taught me service, systems, hospitality, patience, and the courage to keep showing up. At the Lab, I used to tell my coworkers, “This will be my last year; I’m going to start my business,” and yet I was afraid—afraid of the money it would take, afraid of failing. But I learned that purpose doesn’t vanish when life shifts; it deepens.
In 2021, I chose courage. With the support and motivation from my dear husband, I decided it was time to stop being afraid. I started simple and began designing door wreaths, and BOOM! That’s how the dream of “Simply Designed by Mary” was born.
A few months later I accepted an opportunity as a florist for a beach wedding company and worked there for about a year and a half. That experience confirmed what I already knew in my heart: florals are my calling. I hadn’t left a corporate career to build on someone else’s dream—I was ready to create my own. I registered Simply Designed by Mary in 2022 and officially launched it in February 2023. I started showcasing my work at The Premier Bridal Expo to introduce my designs to couples and industry partners.
Through every season, my passion for floristry remained. I never stopped learning, creating, staying current with trends through luxury floral masterclasses such as the legendary Sarah Campbell with Intrigue Teaches, and investing in my craft. Eventually, Jacksonville became home: a place where I grew roots, found community, and learned to build with what I had. Today, everything I create carries pieces of that journey—resilience, gratitude, and the belief that beauty can bloom anywhere.
My journey was not a perfect path. It’s one of faith, hard work, and the quiet persistence of a dream that refused to fade. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: you don’t need perfect conditions to grow. You just need to keep planting. My work is where craft meets emotion, where cultural roots and modern design come together, and where couples can see their love stories told through flowers.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like starting any business, it definitely hasn’t been an easy road. There are so many incredibly talented floral designers in the area, and it can be challenging to stand out, especially when others are already well established and have long-standing relationships with vendors. But those challenges have pushed me to refine my craft, stay true to my design style, and build genuine connections through the quality of my work and client experience.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a floral designer who specializes in creating custom floral arrangements for weddings and events, each tailored to reflect my clients’ unique vision and personal style. I take great pride in my ability to bring every space to life through thoughtful floral design and carefully curated decor details.
What really sets my work apart is that I don’t see myself as just providing flowers — I aim to create an experience. Every design is crafted to evoke emotion and tell a story, transforming a moment into something memorable and meaningful. I also value the relationships I build with my clients; they’re treated with the utmost care, like family. That personal connection, combined with intentional design, is what I’m most proud of.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was quite shy and introverted, but I was also the type of person who always greeted everyone with a big smile. As a pastor’s daughter, much of my childhood was spent in the church, which meant I lived a pretty sheltered and structured life. When I wasn’t at church, I was either at school or at home taking care of my younger brother and sister and helping with daily chores like cooking and cleaning. Even with that routine I always found joy in singing, playing guitar or enjoying the outdoors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.simplydesignedbymary.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplydesignedbymary/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplydesignedbymary/
