Colleen McCarthy did not hate her corporate job. She just did not see a future in it.

After graduating in 2020, Colleen McCarthy took a PR role because work was scarce. The plan was temporary. Two years later, she faced a career reset. She asked herself three questions. What do I like? What have I always liked? What am I good at?

The answer was flowers.

She already arranged grocery store bouquets for fun. In late 2022, she paid $175 for a beginner class at Flower School New York. The instructor told her she had natural talent. That single comment changed her direction.

She kept her full-time job and treated florals like a serious side project.

She practiced every week using store-bought flowers. She posted her work on Instagram and TikTok. She shared designs in local Facebook groups. She told people she was a florist before she felt ready.

That decision mattered.

Her first paid order came in March 2023 from a Facebook group member. The sale was small. The signal was big. Someone paid for her work.

Two months later, she registered her business as Colleen Rose Florals LLC. The setup cost felt heavy at the time. It removed friction later when larger clients showed up.

Momentum followed.

She started booking brand events. She partnered with event planners. She booked her first wedding by the end of 2023. Small-to-medium weddings now range from $5,000 to $10,000. Her minimum for a custom arrangement is $250. Small events start around $1,000.

By mid-2024, her side project conflicted with her job. She had to turn down paid work because of office hours. That became the tipping point.

She quit her 9-to-5 in December 2024.

In 2025, her first full year full-time, Colleen Rose Florals brought in over $175,000 in revenue.

Her biggest expense is inventory. High-quality flowers cost more than most buyers expect. Pricing required confidence and education. She charged what the work required.

Her client list grew fast.

Madison Square Garden began commissioning arrangements for artist dressing rooms in spring 2024. She later created bouquets for performers like Katy Perry, Lainey Wilson, Haim, and Renee Rapp. One standout moment came in October when she designed a bouquet for Sabrina Carpenter.

That order confirmed what the numbers already showed. The business worked.

Today, she runs the operation solo. On large events, she hires freelancers. Her days start early. Many mornings begin at 6 a.m. in Manhattan’s flower district. Each stem gets processed by hand before design work begins. Delivery requires drivers or rented vans.

The work is physical. The margins come from planning.

Her biggest lesson so far is simple. Ask for help sooner. All-nighters slow growth. Support speeds it up.

Her next goals are clear. Rent a permanent studio. Launch a weekly floral subscription to add steady income.

She still shares her work online. Aspiring florists message her often. She used to be the one asking questions. Now she answers them.

The takeaway for you is direct.

You do not need full clarity to start. You need movement. She invested $175 to test an idea. She sold before she felt established. She treated social media like proof of work. She quit only when demand forced the decision.

If you want to build income outside your job, start where skill and interest overlap. Validate fast. Share progress publicly. Charge early.

If you want help using AI to speed that process up, grab 25 High-Impact ChatGPT Prompts to Launch or Grow Your Side Hustle. The prompts help you test ideas, price offers, write posts, and plan next steps without guessing.