Every flower has a root—and so does every artist.

In Episode 171 of Paper Talk Podcast, we - Quynh Nguyen, Sara Kim, and Jessie Chui - sat down to reflect on the winding paths that led us to paper flowers. From music studios to courtrooms, finance offices to wedding aisles, our stories are as unique as the blooms we now craft. What binds them together is the quiet but powerful realization that creative joy, purpose, and community can truly transform a life.

“Without knowing why, it’s hard to say yes to the right opportunities.” - Jessie

Here, we share highlights from that conversation, in the hope that our stories will inspire you to reflect on your own journey and perhaps even find or realign with your own "why."

Sara’s Journey: From Violin to Petal

Sara Kim, founder of Handmade by Sara Kim, began as a trained violinist. "My creative outlet from my job as a musician was making crafts," she shared. What started as simple paper cards and flowers sold for a dollar each eventually blossomed into a business that caught the attention of Anthropologie, thanks to a single Instagram tag.

She emphasized the value of small beginnings, community, and leaning into joy. “It wasn’t until I came back to paper flowers that I found my true why: the simple magic of turning paper into something meaningful.”

Jessie’s Journey: From Courtroom to Creation

Jessie Chui, of Crafted to Bloom, had a thriving career in law, but a period of personal grief changed her perspective. The passing of her beloved aunt led her to reassess what truly mattered. “I wanted to express myself, to create beauty and hope.”

Paper flowers became her therapy, starting with bouquets for her wedding. Over time, her practice evolved into intentional, small-batch artistry that allowed her to prioritize her family and mental well-being. “I couldn’t live by deadlines anymore. I needed my business to align with the values of my life.”

Quynh’s Journey: From Excel Sheets to Exhibition Spaces

Quynh Nguyen, founder of Pink and Posey, came from a finance and event planning background. Her journey began when a friend asked her to create paper flowers for a wedding, using sheet music and school colors. “At the time, I had never made a paper flower in my life.”

That first commission sparked a series of commercial opportunities, and with her husband's encouragement, she leaned into the work full time. “I wanted to build a community because the more people making paper flowers, the more visibility we have—and the more we all thrive.”

Her business acumen and deep love for collaboration have shaped not only her art but also projects like the Paper Talk Podcast, her new book, and the Paper to Profits program.

Common Threads: Why Your Why Matters

Through all our stories, one theme echoes loudest: finding your "why" is the key to building a sustainable, fulfilling creative life.

Whether you're starting out, navigating a career shift, or simply craving deeper meaning in your work, we encourage you to reflect on:

What lights you up?
What kind of life do you want your art to support?
Who do you want to impact?

And if you don’t know yet? That’s okay. Your why can evolve. As Sara said, “Sometimes your why is simply: I like making beautiful things.” That’s enough to begin.

What inspires you most about our paper flower journeys? We’d love to hear your thoughts - share your insights with us on Instagram @papertalkpodcast or join our Facebook community discussions.

Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes, and don’t forget to subscribe to Paper Talk wherever you listen to podcasts.