Walking with Grace: Daniella Motley
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “The earth laughs in flowers.”
We wholeheartedly believe this, and no one makes us smile like our sweet friend Daniella Motley. Dani is the brilliant, whimsical mind behind Salt + Stem, Charleston’s resident wandering flower truck.
You can regularly find Salt + Stem's vintage white truck filled with flowers at pop-ups, wine bars, yoga studios, and markets across the Lowcountry.
When Dani is not encouraging her fellow wanderers to experiment with making their own bouquets, she's busy delivering flowers, designing wedding florals, making stunning dried arrangements, and spreading sunshine.
Salt + Stem fills our studio with vibrant, beautiful blooms and our hearts with joy, and we're so grateful to Dani for joining us for today's Walking with Grace profile. Pour some tea, kick off those shoes, and join us in wandering among the flowers.
Wandering with Salt + Stem
Charleston’s Mobile Flower Truck
Salt + Stem is about so much more than pretty flowers. What does it mean to you and why is community outreach important?
Salt + Stem actually grew from a sad place. After my Dad passed away, I took a survey of my life. While I was doing great at checking all the boxes (great relationship, great job, corporate ladder climbing) I wanted to find something I could pour my creative passion into. I wanted to feel life more fully instead of going through the motions. Salt + Stem has helped me to do that.
I am proud of what we have created. I hope that I can help others bring a little bit of mindfulness to their day and awareness of the things that make them happy by encouraging them to stop at a Vintage Ford on the side of the road to smell the flowers, to buy the flowers for themselves or a loved one, to enjoy a little moment outside of the continual box-checking that life can be.
In the same vein, I love working with other small businesses and local charleston brands - entrepreneurs who are chasing and building their dreams. Charleston has an amazing community of small business owners who are supportive, creative, and successful. It is inspiring to watch and to be a part of. One of the greatest pleasures of Salt + Stem has been collaborating with other inspiring and impactful brands here in Charleston.
What does it mean to you to be a “wanderer”?
To always be willing to go along for the ride, to say "yes" even if you don't know what is on the other side of the yes.
To love this community and love spending time in different areas of it, to find value in the little pleasures that life has to offer.
Emerson said, "Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities in the world" If you are a wanderer, I believe that would also ring true for you.
We’re obviously fellow vintage car nerds; tell us about the truck.
Virginia is an F100 short-bed; she has a white and cream two-tone paint job and was rebuilt in Summerville. When you drive an old vehicle, it feels like you are driving a piece of history. It lacks all of the modern conveniences, so you are much more aware of the world around you and the act of driving. So, for me, driving her from place to place encourages another space of mindfulness and attention to what I am doing now.
The smell of oil and gasoline reminds me of my father and grandfathers. Memories of being in their garages as they tinker and pour love into their favorite vehicles. The combined smell of metal, oil, and gasoline gives me an immediate sense of nostalgia and warmth.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned from wandering with flowers since starting Salt + Stem?
I was a floral newbie, so I have had a crash course in all things flower related. While I've always loved flowers and have always given them as gifts, I have learned so much about this industry since starting in 2019, more lessons than I can name.
One of my biggest takeaways is that I am very lucky to work in Charleston; here, I have found the industry leaders to be kind, willing to help, and embracive.
What’s your favorite flower? Why?
I actually don't have a lot of favorites: no favorite movie, color, food, etc. My husband and I share that quality, thankfully!
I will say my current loves include tweedia, monstera, chamomile, and ranunculus, but that can and will change!
What’s next for Salt + Stem?
Our retail side is still happening, so look for more events and truck pop-ups at our favorite coffee shops, restaurants, wine bars in 2021. We are also doing more intimate weddings this year, and I'm very excited about some of the concepts we are helping brides create for their special day in 2021.
One day maybe we'll add a studio space with a little room for retail! We would also love to sell some items from local artists and brands. We will see what 2021 brings!
photo credit: @thegladmangroup
We hope the rest of your day is filled with sunshine, joy, laughter, and, of course, fresh flowers from Salt + Stem. (Check their Wander with Us page or Instagram to keep up with their latest adventures!) As we move through this busy time, it's so important to press pause and allow ourselves the space to wander and soak up the now.
Join us for a mindful, meditative morning with your tribe at our next Mala Workshop. We'll start with a guided invocation and setting intentions before enjoying a tea ceremony and making Mala Mantra Necklaces, which are both beautiful accessories and powerful meditation tools.
And if you're not local to Charleston, treat yourself to some decadent Los Poblanos Lavender Mist, an artisan-crafted Sage Smudge Stick, and Beach Bonfire Oyster Candle for a coveted moment of self-care.
One Love & Blessings,