Meet Patricia Poto-Eastwood of Wild Child in Tempe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Poto-Eastwood.

Patricia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My interest in flowers and horticulture first began to bloom back in high school, when I signed on to work alongside Phil Rulloda, who now operates the Southern California School of Floral Design. At the time, he headed up some of Arizona’s premier floral shops, and I began working under his wing as he attended trade shows and association events, ultimately earning a “Designer of the Year” nod for his efforts.

I continued to shadow Phil for another four years as he racked up a lengthy list of industry awards and accolades, many of which were the result of the “High Style” theme he embraced in the 80s, while adopting tricks of the trade and a better understanding of all aspects of the job along the way. Next came a 16-year stint at Pointe Hilton Resorts, where I honed my craft creating floral arrangements for events and weddings before the official launch of Wild Child in 1998.

Its name comes courtesy of a dear friend and floral industry insider, and it’s a nod to my penchant for utilizing nature, pods and other results from foraging efforts in my designs. In Wild Child’s early years, we concentrated our efforts on weddings and special events, but as word-of-mouth increased, so, too, did opportunities. Nowadays, in addition to orchestrating stunning floral arrangements for use on special occasions, I regularly create custom pieces for many of the Valley’s leading resorts and private residences.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This industry is demanding, trendy and ever-changing, so there are inevitable challenges that come with being a part of it. It’s tough to invest in inventory because trends change so quickly that what’s hot today may prove taboo tomorrow. It’s also tough to not be able to say “yes” to everything that comes your way, because, as a business owner, you want to welcome and cater to anyone willing to support you.

Ultimately, success comes when you can be realistic about the demands on your time and find a balance that allows you to produce work that you’re proud of – without sacrificing time with family or friends, or for the other elements of life that leave you feeling fulfilled. It’s not always an easy balance to attain, and it can take considerable time to learn – but I truly love what I do, and that’s why I’m willing to dedicate the time and effort needed to achieve it.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
At Wild Child, we pride ourselves on our ability to create stunning, masterful works of art for special occasions, and we’re firm believers that the difference between a job that simply makes the grade and a job that surpasses all expectation is in the details.

That’s why we constantly strive to forge deeper connections with our clients, whether first-timers or long-time fans, and we believe that establishing a level of trust is what enables them to truly open up and express their wishes and needs for their event or occasion. Just how do we cultivate that trust? Part of our success in doing so lies in the fact that we don’t beat around the bush when it comes to budget – instead, we’re honest and realistic from the outset, providing clear, detailed options about what a particular budget permits.

We’re also immensely proud of our abilities, and we believe that our experience speaks for itself – but that being said, we’re not too proud to gain inspiration from other designers, events, and trends. I constantly keep my finger on the pulse of what’s new, exciting and innovative in the floral design industry, and part of that involves staying active in the community and keeping track of new venues, special events, and key figures. Tempe is a progressive, constantly evolving community, and anything I can do to enhance its inherent beauty is a worthwhile undertaking.

Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
Currently, Boho and garden flair trends tend to dominate the industry, but in the months and years to come, we’re anticipating a shift toward brighter colors and bolder arrangements. In recent years, floral designs took on more of a “prim and proper” look and feel, but nowadays, brides and event managers are more open to letting loose, breaking free from trends and relying on unconventional color or floral combinations.

More specifically, we see glass elements and eye-catching colors coming back in a big way, and we also anticipate seeing more mid-century modern touches at special events and weddings, with artsy, retro and vintage vibes expected to soon have a moment. As for Wild Child, itself, our team will work to strike a balance between creating arrangements for weddings and doing the same for special events in the years to come, and we’ll also continue our efforts to grow and expand within the community while staying true to our boutique nature.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1444 E Colt Rd Tempe, AZ 85284
• Website: wildchildfloral.com
• Phone: (480) 968-2619
• Email: hello@wildchildfloral.com
• Instagram: wildchildfloral
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildChildFloralDesign

Image Credit:
Jessica Q, La Bella Vita, Kaila Cales, Drew Brashler

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