Graduate Story: Fiona Stellino

After 19 years working in education as a teacher and Assistant Principal, Fiona Stellino never imagined she would one day run her own award-winning floristry business.

While she loved her career in education, she was searching for a creative outlet. That opportunity came when she helped a friend create floral centrepieces for a wedding.

"I discovered I had a natural eye for design and genuinely loved the process. Seeing everything come to life on the day was incredibly fulfilling."

That experience sparked a new passion and led Fiona to enrol at Pearsons School of Floristry while continuing to work full-time. The flexibility of weekend classes made it possible to pursue floristry without leaving her teaching career.

"The support from the educators and the hands-on learning gave me the confidence to turn my creativity into a real career."

Today, Fiona is the owner of Fiona's Floral Designs, specialising in wedding and event florals across Sydney and Western Sydney. Her work has earned industry recognition, including Top 10 NSW Wedding Florist in the ABIA Awards and first place in the Western Sydney/Blue Mountains Wedding Awards.

Looking back, Fiona says studying at Pearsons gave her more than technical skills. 

"I made lifelong friends, built valuable industry connections, and gained the confidence to start my own business."

Now creating beautifully curated wedding florals and large-scale event installations, Fiona continues to grow her business while staying connected to the floristry community through freelancing, professional development, and mentoring.

For anyone considering a career in floristry, her advice is simple:

"Jump in and get as much hands-on experience as possible. Floristry is hard work, but if you're passionate, it's an incredibly rewarding and creative career."

Follow Fiona’s work:
Instagram: @fionas_floral_designs
Website: www.fionasfloraldesigns.com.au