Meet Natalia Cornejo | Botanical Artist and Mental Health Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalia Cornejo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
PFM began in Charlottesville, VA, as a self-care hobby – a gift I gave to myself. Initially, I never intended it to become a business. I created botanical pieces for friends simply for fun, but slowly, they encouraged me to consider selling, planting the seed of turning PFM into something more. I resisted this idea for years, avoiding it altogether. My greatest fear was that what brought me peace would eventually become a source of stress, draining the joy from my flower-pressing practice.
At the time, I worked as a Family Support Specialist at Child Health Partnership, where I was deeply connected to the immigrant community. The work was meaningful and challenging. The stories of resilience, the cultural richness, and the identities of the families I supported were woven into my own life in powerful ways. In this context, my flower-pressing became my retreat, a way to reconnect with nature, art, and, ultimately, myself. The notion of making it a business felt daunting, and I hesitated to mix my love for this art form with the pressure of building a business.
However, as I began my MSW program, I slowly became more curious about the possibility of merging my passions for therapy and nature and taking them beyond the four corners of my home. It wasn’t until I met my incredible Career Coach that I committed to moving forward with PFM. Her simple but powerful words, “It doesn’t have to be all or nothing,” reminded me that PFM, as a business, would be whatever I needed it to be. As a trusted mentor and friend, I felt empowered to embrace my potential, leading me to the beautiful opportunities I’m experiencing today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I chose a creative path because I find a profound sense of purpose and connection in both nature and art. Creating botanical artwork allows me to express my emotions while paying tribute to the natural world. Nature has always been a space of comfort and introspection for me, and bringing art into that experience amplifies its impact on others. It offers beauty, healing, and creativity—a truly rewarding combination. Recently, I decided to build a career that not only fulfills me but also gives others a chance to experience the therapeutic power of nature and creative freedom through my community workshops. If I can continue building a life where I connect with people while making art in nature, I know I’ll find lasting peace.

PFM grew from my passion for eco-therapy and my personal experiences with nature’s grounding effect. Initially, I turned to nature walks and flower pressing as self-care practices, especially during my high-stress work in community roles. Through this process, I saw how engaging with nature could foster mindfulness, comfort, and well-being—not only for myself but potentially for others, too. This realization inspired me to turn my personal practice into a business, promoting eco-therapy through botanical art and helping people reconnect with nature in meaningful, creative ways. Upon completing my MSW program in May 2025, I look forward to blending my bilingual clinical expertise with my botanical design skills. I hope to accompany my clients as they embark on a healing journey where they create meaningful connections with themselves and nature.

As a first-generation Latina, PFM has taught me that I am deeply interconnected with my community—In some ways, my family and I are a reflection of the people I serve. This journey has shown me that, like my clients, I am a work in progress, deserving of patience, growth, and self-compassion. PFM has encouraged me to take risks and embrace the changes that come with growth. By remaining open to new opportunities and letting things flow naturally, I’ve learned to trust the process. My business is a reminder that growth is ongoing, and my clients and I are worthy of the art we make of our lives.

The most vital factors behind my success have been my authenticity and commitment to staying true to myself. This journey hasn’t always been easy; it involves constant self-discovery and self-expression. Amid the noise and expectations of society, I’m learning to listen to my own voice, a quiet yet powerful guide that requires introspection. It’s a delicate dance of unlearning old patterns that no longer serve me and embracing new ones that align with my evolving self. This transformative journey requires patience and many acts of kindness.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would tell them to check out any events hosted by OCISLY (Of Course I Still Love You), RAW FIGS, Buen Provecho Collectivo, and O’Miami, to name a few! And even though Davie is a 40-60 minute drive from Miami, I would encourage them to come to the most beautiful botanical garden in Broward called Zensations Garden for amazing refreshments and snacks in the most luscious green haven.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a strong support system that includes friends, family, mentors, and teachers who offer guidance and constructive feedback. Ultimately, my success is a blend of staying true to who I am, actively cultivating my inner strength, honoring the vulnerable parts of me, and surrounding myself with a community that lifts me up. I want to dedicate a special shout-out to my career coach, Yvette Regalado from Soulcialhouse, for being the final push I needed to make the jump into growing PFM beyond the four walls of my home.

Website: https://pressedformemories.wordpress.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pressedformemories/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-cornejo-42320a39/

Image Credits
All photos were taken by Natalia Cornejo.