Alumni Spotlight: How Laura Sturino Built a Floral Business Through Community, Confidence, and Real-World Experience
When Laura Sturino enrolled at FlowerSchool New York, she wasn't new to flowers. She had already worked at a high-end floral studio in California and co-owned a floral company. But after stepping away from that business, she was looking for something more than technical training.
"I wanted to get connected to something bigger," Laura says. "I realized I learn best by being immersed in new environments, so the New York location and the internship program was what really drew me to FlowerSchool."
Real World Experience
For Laura, one of the most valuable parts of the Floral Design Program was the opportunity to apply classroom techniques in professional settings.
Through her internship with Floratorium, she worked on large-scale floral installations throughout New York City, including Broadway opening events and immersive retail installations.
"I wanted to learn how to create work on a larger scale. The internships gave me exactly that. I was building flower walls, creating 15-foot installations, and learning how professional teams work together under real deadlines."
The experience also taught her the realities of production floristry.
"It wasn't just about designing. It was understanding logistics, working with different personalities, solving problems on site, and seeing how a large installation comes together from start to finish."
Building a Lasting Network
While technical skills helped Laura grow as a designer, the relationships she built during the program have had an equally lasting impact.
During her internship, she met fellow student Jeff Daw. The two quickly realized their strengths complemented one another, with Laura leading creative direction and Jeff bringing strong organizational and production skills.
"We always joked that whoever booked the first wedding would call the other." When she landed her first full-scale wedding in the California redwoods, Jeff flew across the country to help produce the event.
"I knew exactly who I wanted beside me. We already understood how each other worked because we'd learned together during our internship. It made the entire experience smoother."
Alongside fellow alumni Emily Farish, the three were well equipped to take on the project. "It's a real network. We still call each other for projects, recommend each other, and keep learning together."
The FlowerSchool New York alumni network continues to stay connected, sharing freelance opportunities, collaborating on weddings, and supporting one another's businesses across the country. Recently, Laura partnered with another alumni, Korie Carr of Jaded Flowers, on a wedding in Santa Barbara, CA.
Creating Confidence Through Experience
After leaving her previous business, Laura wondered whether she should continue pursuing floral design, but her experience at FlowerSchool completely changed how she approached the career she was building.
"The biggest thing FlowerSchool gave me was confidence and a connection to the floral industry. It reminded me that I was capable and belonged in this profession. I'm not thinking about the business I walked away from anymore. I'm focused on the path I'm creating now."
Growing in the Floral Design Industry
Today, Laura operates The Posy Studio in Sausalito, California, where she designs weddings, private events, and floral experiences.
She credits FlowerSchool not only with teaching design techniques but with reinforcing the importance of professional practices that clients notice.
"Understanding how to properly process flowers, how different varieties behave, and how to build work that lasts has become one of the things that sets my business apart."
Her recent wedding in the California redwoods was proof that those lessons translate directly into real events.
"There was a moment when we unloaded everything we'd spent weeks preparing, and I realized it was all going to come together. That's when it hit me that I was creating one of the most important moments of someone's life."
What's Next?
Laura is continuing to grow The Posy Studio with more weddings, pop-up flower bars, and new ideas like a traveling flower car. She also continues to collaborate with FlowerSchool New York graduates whenever she can.
"The network doesn't stop when you graduate. That's one of the best parts. You're surrounded by people who genuinely want to see each other succeed."
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