I started my business, Pressed Florals by Marah, during my junior year of high school. It was the night of prom, and I decided to stay home and learn how to press flowers. Almost immediately, I fell in love with the art. I began creating pressed floral pieces for friends’ events—weddings, graduation parties, funerals, and more. My pressed floral business officially launched in June 2023, and then in September 2025, I began a new chapter as Preserved & Pinned by Marah.

When I left for college in the fall of 2024, I took a break from pressing flowers and quickly realized how much I missed having a creative outlet. Pressing flowers in a dorm room wasn’t practical, so I experimented with silica preservation over the summer of 2025, keeping flowers in their three-dimensional form. While this was a step in the right direction, it still wasn't perfect. 

After discussing my love of butterflies with my boss, I was encouraged to try pinning butterflies and incorporating them with my preserved flowers. That became the creative outlet I had been searching for while at college. I am now a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, running Preserved & Pinned by Marah. When I return home to Mahomet for breaks and select weekends, I bring a variety of pieces to share with my supportive local customers.

Though it’s still a hobby business, I’m excited to continue growing, with hopes of eventually selling at markets and expanding my creative horizons. Thank you so much for your continued support!