I'm Living The American Dream: Why We Left Our Careers to Preserve Memories
Think the American Dream is dead? Think again.
Four years ago, I was a corporate meeting planner and my husband Julio was an insurance adjuster. Today, we run Wild Coast Flower Preservation—a company that transforms wedding and memorial flowers into stunning keepsakes that last a lifetime. From our 8,000 square foot facility in Pompano Beach, we serve families across America, preserving their most precious memories in functional art pieces they can treasure forever.
That transformation didn't happen by accident—it happened because this country still rewards those willing to work for their dreams.
My name is Michelle Besu, and I'm the CEO of Wild Coast Flower Preservation. My story isn't unique, but it's mine, and it's proof that the American Dream is alive and thriving in 2025.
Built on Heritage and Hope
My Italian immigrant parents taught me that in America, you can build your dreams as big as you dare to imagine. They didn't just tell me this—they lived it through their sacrifices, their late nights, and their unwavering belief in this country's promise.
My husband Julio's Cuban family brought their own brand of resilience and creativity. Cubans are masters at crafting something wonderful from limited resources, a skill born from necessity and perfected through generations of ingenuity.
Julio and I met in 2013 at Starwood Hotels, where I worked in Meetings & Events and he managed convention Shipping & Receiving. We were a great team then, just as we are now. By 2020, I had achieved my dream of becoming a corporate meeting planner, while Julio had built a successful career as an insurance adjuster. Life was good, predictable, and secure.
Then the pandemic changed everything.
The Pivot That Changed Our Lives
During quarantine, our family started taking camping trips into the Florida wilderness, picking wildflowers together. What began as a way to stay connected during uncertain times became something magical. We started pressing those wildflowers, experimenting with preservation techniques, and before we knew it, customers on Etsy were asking us to preserve their wedding bouquets.
Letting go of our corporate careers was HARD AF. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Walking away from the security of jobs we loved required every ounce of faith our immigrant parents had instilled in us. But that's what the American Dream is really about—having the courage to pivot when opportunity knocks.
Growing Beyond Our Wildest Dreams
Our first major challenge? We literally outgrew our home. Picture this: 60+ flower packages arriving at our doorstep daily, our entire house transformed into a production facility, and our neighbors (who still work with us today!) helping us manage the overflow. We had to make the leap to a 3,000 square foot warehouse space—thankfully, my aunt had one we could rent.
Then we outgrew that space too! Growing out of a space feels like exploding from all seams, but it's the kind of problem every entrepreneur dreams of having. Our leap to our current 8,000 square foot facility with a showroom still feels surreal.
Where Heritage Meets Innovation
Our production facility is like the Casita from Disney's Encanto—it's alive with creativity and family energy. The upstairs has bedrooms and a living room that serve as different production departments, but the kitchen? We be cookin' in there! Espresso shots brew 3-4 times a day, and someone's always asking, "¿Quieres cafécito?"
This reflects the beautiful blend of our heritage. My family's work ethic combined with Julio's natural creativity creates something special. We know how to work hard and think creatively, turning challenges into opportunities.
We employ three sets of husband-and-wife teams, and many of our employees are on their own American Dream journeys—dealing with immigration, starting life in America, growing their families. We're not just preserving flowers; we're preserving the dreams and memories that make America beautiful.
Thriving in Uncertain Times
Today's political and economic climate brings new challenges. Higher rent means we need higher sales. Consumer uncertainty is real. But here's what I've learned from our heritage and experience: there's opportunity at every economic turn if you can identify your best path and put your efforts in that direction.
We're taking inspiration from efficiency experts, analyzing expenditures, reorganizing departments, and finding creative solutions that help our customers complete their transactions. Times may be uncertain, but they're guaranteed to get better. The only way for us to look is up, and we're preparing for a successful future.
Living Proof
Wild Coast Flower Preservation isn't just a business; it's proof that the American Dream is alive and thriving. We've preserved over 18,000 wedding bouquets, created jobs for 15 artisans, and turned a pandemic pivot into a thriving enterprise that serves families nationwide.
Every preserved flower tells a story of love, commitment, and hope. Every customer who trusts us with their most precious memories reminds me why we do this work. And every day we show up at our Encanto-like facility, brewing cafecito and creating magic from flowers, we're living proof that in America, dreams don't just survive—they flourish.
The American Dream isn't just about individual success; it's about lifting others as you climb. As we continue growing Wild Coast, we're committed to creating more opportunities, supporting more families, and proving that with determination, creativity, and American opportunity, anything is possible.
¿Quieres cafécito? Come visit our showroom and see the American Dream in action.
Written by Michelle Besu
