Christina Stembel Is Someone We Really Like
Photo Courtesy of Farmgirl Flowers
by The Candidly Team
Christina Stembel is the founder and CEO of Farmgirl Flowers, aka the purveyor of the most beautiful, burlap-wrapped floral bouquets of our dreams.
And yes— Christina is an actual farmgirl. She grew up on a corn and soybean farm in Indiana, proving that her business name is more than just good marketing.
We like Christina.
And we wanted to know everything about her. About her work ethic, her favorite outfits from The Devil Wears Prada, and how she’s navigating the dumpster fire that is 2020.
The Candidly Questionnaire
1. What’s something you really like about yourself?
Isn’t it weird that this is kind of a hard question to answer? If someone asked you the same thing about your best friend, you’d have no problem rattling off what you love about them, but when it comes to yourself, it suddenly feels like playing Double Jeopardy.
If I’m being honest, the thing I like most about myself is my work ethic. I grew up on a working farm in Indiana and my chores were super-sized compared to most kids I knew. I was canning or shelling beans all summer, cleaning out barns, mowing the acres of grass in the backyard. And that was on top of “normal” kid chores – keeping my room clean, laundry, etc.
And while I can’t say all those things made those parts of my childhood fun, they did help me to build an unusual tolerance for the long and often unglamorous tasks that a lot of people don’t have the patience for, which has been incredibly useful since starting my own business.
2. What is your biggest challenge?
Usually, as the CEO and founder of a completely bootstrapped business, I would say, “not running out of money.” Cash flow is always a challenge as a business owner, but as the company has grown, so have the bills — and so has the job of managing it.
But it’s 2020 and this year has been, to use a very overused word, unprecedented. In the midst of a global pandemic, just about everything gets more difficult. I feel very fortunate that Farmgirl is still in business in the midst of all the loss we’ve seen this year, but my team and I have had to fight to make that happen while also dealing with the personal ramifications of the pandemic and the shelter-in-place orders.
A single day right now can feel like a challenge. But on the upside, that also means getting through a day can feel like a win, so I’m holding onto that right now, too.
3. What tool do you use daily that’s changed your life?
Conair hot rollers. They sound a little old school, but I swear by them for foolproof hair that I can “do” while I’m driving.
I can get ready and set my hair, then drive to the office, take them down in the parking lot while I’m taking an early conference call, and have a head full of waves — all without lifting a curling iron.
4. Are essential oils anything?
I guess it depends on your definition of anything!
I love bath products with essential oils, but I haven’t fully jumped on board with oils for wellness, which I know is definitely a “thing” right now. This isn’t for lack of belief, but rather time (see my previous answer about “doing” my hair).
That said, my team recently got me into a peppermint/lavender blend that is really great for relieving headaches, so maybe I’m closer to hopping on the oils train than I think.
5. How do you create boundaries?
I’ve always been pretty good at being able to set my mind to something and stick to it. This doesn’t mean I might not fail at first, but if it’s something I’m truly committed to, I’m invested in starting over until I get it right. So creating boundaries comes from setting that intention and then following through.
It sounds simple writing it, but it’s not. It just comes down to a mental game, remembering the reasons you set the boundaries in the first place and being tougher than the thing working against you which, in this case, is yourself. It’s hard, but not impossible.
6. How do you dampen self-critical thoughts when they get too loud?
My go-to getaway is the beach. I’m fortunate to live just a short walk from one in Half Moon Bay, so when I’m getting in my own head, I get outside. An hour or two of walking (or if I’m feeling ambitious, running) along the shore is usually enough to quiet my inner critic.
7. Describe the most “you” outfit of all time.
I’ve always, always loved fashion. Growing up, I used to steal pages out of the fashion magazines from the Bremen Public Library (in Indiana) and try to recreate the looks from secondhand hauls I brought home from the thrift store. These days, I’m still a vintage fan but I’ve gone from the thrift store to The RealReal. My latest favorites are Moussy jeans and Veronica Beard blazers.
It isn’t a “me” outfit quite yet (because I don’t own it), but I’ve been chasing this look for years now. In The Devil Wears Prada, when Anne Hathaway’s character drops the dry cleaning and “the book” off at Miranda Priestly’s townhouse, she’s wearing a boatneck black sweater with a crisp, white collared blouse underneath it and two stunning, long Chanel necklaces with pearls and charms on them. I loved it then and love it now, newsboy cap and all. I just scored a pretty close approximate of the pearl necklace on The RealReal, so I have a ways to go, but I’m determined to recreate it at some point.
8. What meal can you make the hell out of?
I’m not much of a cook (because of time), but I make a more-than-decent veggie risotto. I don’t make it often, but when I do, it’s always worth the extra effort.
9. What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
I’m such a Brené Brown fan, and Daring Greatly has had the biggest impact on my life. Her insight on leadership and vulnerability is incredibly inspiring.
10. Apart from family, what woman do you deeply admire?
I’ve been fortunate to meet so many incredible women, before and after I started Farmgirl, and I’m in awe of what so many of my peers have been able to accomplish.
But one woman I deeply admire is Lisa Price, the founder of Carol’s Daughter. Like me, she started her company in her apartment (I used my dining room table, she — her kitchen table) and scaled her business the scrappy way. I heard her speak at an event, and I was blown away by her story and determination and the way she built this amazing business that she was able to sell to a major company like L’Oreal.
11. Which Insta account is creating the greatest content and why?
I love fashion, so I love any account that shares a lot of runway or design content. I love @coveteur, @manrepeller, @marlienrentmeester (of Le Catch), Natasha Goldenberg (@ngoldenberg) and Shiona Turini (@shionat).
12. What quote or phrase has really stayed with you?
Care about people but not what they think about you.
13. What’s your most effective form of therapy?
Walking on the beach – hands down. It’s the cure for almost anything that’s affecting me.
14. What’s your approach to mending conflict with people you work with?
Be direct and don’t wait. It usually seems easier to let something go or play it off, but trust me. If something bothers or upsets you, it’s bound to happen again. Have the conversation as soon as possible once something happens, even if it’s uncomfortable, so you can nip it in the bud.
15. How do you feel about cilantro?
Not too strongly one way or the other – I’m not one of those it-tastes-like-soap people.
16. Describe your actual bedtime routine.
It’s basic and (probably) wouldn’t win any awards from sleep therapists. I usually work until I’m incredibly tired then get ready for bed and play Scrabble on my phone until I fall asleep.
17. What’s the best thing you’ve ever read on the internet?
The Netflix culture deck.
18. What’s your relationship with bangs?
Not for me – anymore.
What is your single favorite:
Wellness product that *actually* works: Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum.
Lip balm: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment.
Jeans brand: Moussy.
Mascara: Josie Maran.
Robe: Lunya.
Sex product: I am going to plead the fifth here.
Last-minute gift: Shameless plug – Farmgirl Flowers. I’m definitely one of our top customers. I also am a huge fan of Box Fox.
Bra: ThirdLove. I also like Cuup and any bra Lululemon makes in the “Align” material.
Shampoo: I usually rotate through different brands, but my go-to affordable option is Kristen Ess. Her whole line is available at Target and is really effective and really inexpensive.
Comfortable shoes: I’ve had this thing with “dad” sneakers lately. They look a little like moon boots but they’re so, so comfortable. I have a pair from M. Gemi that I’ve been wearing (and loving) recently.
Splurge skincare: The Vintner’s Daughter serum, hands down.
Drugstore skincare: CeraVe or Cetaphil are great options.
Everyday bag: It’s a tie between Clare V. and Cuyana.
Guilty pleasure TV show: Gilmore Girls, over and over and over and over.
Drink: Either peppermint or orange-flavored Yerba Mate. I can never really drink too much of it. But lately I’ve also been drinking my body weight (and then some) in Pressed Juice.
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