Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabella Gallardo.
Isabella, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I graduated from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi with a degree in kinesiology. At the time, I thought I was going to pursue a career in health or physical education, but life had other plans! After graduating, I stayed in Corpus Christi for a bit, but my family is based in San Antonio, and ultimately, that’s where I felt called to be, closer to them and to more opportunities.
That’s when I came across a job opening at Cultivate for a floral designer. I thought, “I could do that!” and went in for an interview. During the conversation, I found out they were also hiring for an office administrator position, and I ended up stepping into that role instead. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
From day one, our owner Kelly took me under her wing and mentored me. When I joined, Cultivate was operating out of a warehouse and focused mostly on e-commerce. Over the last four years, I’ve had the privilege of growing with the company as we expanded into a storefront, introduced a curated gift section, and rebranded.
Personally, I’ve grown a lot too! From office administrator to e-commerce operations manager, to operations manager, and now general manager. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m incredibly thankful for Kelly and the team that believed in me every step of the way.
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?
Not always. One of our biggest challenges in the early days was working out of a warehouse. When you’re a new business without foot traffic, it can be hard to build momentum. You really have to be creative and intentional in how you attract and retain customers.
On a personal level, I’ve battled a lot with imposter syndrome. With a background in kinesiology, it was easy to feel like I didn’t belong in the world of retail and flowers. I often questioned whether I was doing enough or knew enough. But I’ve learned that passion, work ethic, and surrounding yourself with the right people matter just as much, if not more than having a traditional background in the field. Kelly’s mentorship helped me silence those doubts and keep growing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Cultivate is a flower and gift store that specializes in European Hand-Tied Bouquets. These arrangements are designed to go straight into a vase with water. A cool feature is that they stand on their own. It’s a beautiful, practical technique that we’re really proud of. We also offer full wedding and event floral services.
Beyond our flowers, I’m especially proud of our curated gift selection. We’re very intentional about what we bring into the store. Every product is chosen with care. It’s truly a one-stop shop for meaningful, joyful gifting. We also offer custom gift wrapping and a selection of cards.
But more than our products, I believe what really sets us apart is our culture and customer service. We’re all about spreading joy. We love what we do and love the people we work with, and that energy naturally translates to how we care for our customers. Flowers have a way of lifting your spirit, and we get to be part of people’s most meaningful moments. That’s something we never take for granted.
Fun Fact: We also ship nationwide! Whether you’re near or far, you can still send something thoughtful from Cultivate. We make it easy to show someone you care, no matter where they are.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
To be honest, I am NOT naturally a risk-taker, I’m more of a planner. But I’ve learned that sometimes the biggest growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. That’s one of the many things Kelly has taught me. She’s a bold leader and isn’t afraid to take a leap, which has really helped balance my more cautious personality.
A major risk we took was rebranding the business and moving from our warehouse into a retail storefront. It was a huge transition that involved a lot of uncertainty and problem-solving. But it paid off in the best way. I’m so glad I got to be part of it. It taught me that risks can be scary, but they’re often necessary for growth.
Pricing:
- Hand-Tied Bouquets start at $15 and go up depending on size and flower selection
- Our “Show Stopper” arrangements start at $175
- Plants in containers start at $55
- Gifts are available in a wide range of prices to fit any budget
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cultivateandbloom.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultivate_and_bloom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cultivateandbloom/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cultivate-and-bloom-san-antonio
