05/01/2026
Celebrating me…in Jan 2017 after being made redundant I made the decision to open my home studio to do what I love,with the guidence and encouragment from my best friends Duncan & Joanne Peta Wood i nervously began the journey of sourcing and setting up and having no idea of advertising i needed a young person being dearest Laura Wood set up my facebook business page and get me started.
I remember my very first client was Kerry Fucile-actually Nick ordering blooms and it just flowed from there.
I stocked some giftware and I worked on my outdoor deck with my double door fridge and initially an old wood trestle table of my dads before I made enough money to set up my work space properly.
My space thrived and I welcomed so many new clients and my business grew.
My annual Mothers day pop up stall was held in rotary park and was a hit!
In 2020 my mum got extremely sick and I was running my business on weekends only as for 20 weeks I stayed by mums side in Perth in Fiona Stanley coming home to do orders and weddings and see my boys on the weekend driving back up first thing Mondays..during all of this still my people supported me.
Covid hit and i delivered to doors and left out the front of my home.. mothers day saw people lining the footpath where my son chalked out social distancing.
After much consideration and needing my home back i decided to seek out a spot..this was huge for me as i didnt really want to be in town and my space had to feel right..i didnt tell anyone and yet after someone hearing about me i was actually approached about a store front in the Village..it was on street frontage but just didnt feel right..i walked around the corner into the arcade and came upon unit 3 and as soon as i opened the doors i knew…i had already envisioned what i wanted..a space where all small creative things could do good,a space that represented my home and me..a space for my clients to feel safe,to feel a sense of calm and belonging to wander and entice your senses.
So from scratch with the help of my amazing family i created my dream.
My son at the time was 15 and chose my paint..i gathered my great grandparents and grandparents treasures to have around me including my old ladder that hangs with love..and my 100 year old window
My husband and brother in law built my coolroom which was the best gift ever!
I enlisted the fantastic Kim Evans whom friends of my family and his crew (one being Nathan i later created for his wedding) to build and fitout my shop.
My nieces partner who is a proffessional painter did the painting ,my cousin did all the electrical work and my dad built my shelving and display pieces.
Everything in my shop was created with love.
I opened my doors in Sept 2020 and the village embraced me and my other clients followed..
I have always run my business old school..word of mouth and i hand write all my orders..still use an old till and the only technology i use is eftpos and facebook..
I have only ever employed one person in nine years of running my business to help out for two days a week and that was for a short time.
I pay my beautful friend Natalie Gordon to help with weddings if needed and whom has taught me so much as an ex florist and has been with me in my most happiest and darkest days..
I might be busy but i simply cant afford to pay someone and keep the prices i do and keep my shop running.
My family has always come first-i have stated this from day one and if i need to close my store for them for a minute i will..
I too need to take small breaks to refresh and settle my head as i cant keep doing what i do if i dont,i believe this is why i am still open as burnout in small business is real and not everyday is rainbows and its getting much harder for small business to survive.
I am getting older and my body is sore so it’s important to take care of me..something i aim for in 2026.
I couldnt do any if this with out my customers..you who continue to support me purchasing in the shop,on my business page and popping in to say hello.
2024/25 was tough for me with the passing of my dad and closing for 16 weeks to recover from orthopaedic surgery..i honestly didnt think i wanted to bloom anymore..with time and healing and the never ending support of my mum and my husband Ash and son Bailey Knipe and my closest friends i hold in one hand i have pushed through and finally finding my mojo.
So Happy 9th Birthday to my One (me) Rustic (i love old stuff)Bloom (to embrace the beauty of growth and transformation) and thank you for giving me something that i never knew how much i needed and to have faith in myself (i still need to remind myself sometimes)
And as i have always promised myself the day i stop loving what i am doing..then i shouldnt do it anymore..
I am so Blessed and grateful…🌸🥂💕🎂
