Published on October 14, 2026  
Mary Grant Baumbach

Mary Grant Baumbach, a sophomore philosophy major, is the founder of Marian Florals LLC, a floral design and flower farming business, inspired by a lifelong love of gardening and time spent on her family’s farm.

What is the story of your business? How did it start?

Marian Florals LLC began with a love of gardening and the outdoors. Growing up, I spent countless hours outside at my parents' farm in Irondale. By following in my mother's footsteps, I learned how to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers. I soon fell in love with growing flowers and harvesting them to design. After learning how to design with my own flowers, I took college level courses on the fundamentals of floristry and started working with a wide range of flower varieties. In August of 2025, driven by the same love of floral design, I started Marian Florals LLC. 

What has been the most challenging part of launching your business? How did you overcome this?

The most challenging part of launching my business has been getting my name out there to the local community. Though this is still a struggle, I have put more time and effort into my social media accounts, and this has helped some. 

What is the goal behind your entrepreneurial pursuits? What do you envision for your business?

I envision Marian Florals to be a reliable, relational, and high-quality florist company. I would like to be a company that emphasizes sustainability and brings attention to local farmers. 

Does your business have a social mission or purpose? If so, explain how your business is redemptive in a Christlike manner?

I would like to be available to brides and other clients with a wide range of budgets. The wedding industry particularly has set a standard that is out of reach for most people and is not crucial for a beautiful event. I currently have no minimum budget set for weddings and if possible, I would like to maintain that over time. 

How do you see your company having an impact on the Samford and/or Birmingham communities?

I see my company supporting local farmers in the Birmingham area and bringing awareness to sustainable and restorative growing practices.  

 Learn more about Marian Florals LLC :

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,522 students from 46 states, Puerto Rico and 12 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.