What inspired you to start ReBLOOM?
After being a bridesmaid one too many times and collecting flowers after client events from 20 years in the marketing/PR industry, it broke my heart to see them go to waste right after the event, so I'd bring them home. At one point regardless of how many florals I gave out from my floral loot, there were just too many, so I thought that these blooms will bring joy to people who never expected to get flowers. After that the train left the station, ReBLOOM was born and the rest is history, that was two years ago. We service all of Canada and we work with over 1,500 charitable partners, non-profits, hospices, hospitals and senior homes. We are a for-profit company and employ over 30 staff across Canada. It is the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life. I like to say it's a healthy addiction. To give flowers to someone who truly feels forgotten...their smile, their gratitude, it gets you right in your heart and that feeling will never leave you.

What does your typical day look like?
I run three businesses: Top Shelf PR, ReBLOOM and INCH OR TWO.  Every day is cuckoo coconuts. On weekdays I wake up at 6:00 a.m. and pour myself a hot cup of water with lemon, fire up the ol' vitamix to create my protein smoothie then get into my emails until 7:30 a.m. I need to exercise everyday, working out sets my day up for success, it clears my head. I start with going out with my 10 year old pup and sidekick, Frankie, whom I take out for a 45 minute walk and then I hit a workout at 8:30am. After that it's meetings, conference calls, flower pick up's, drop off's, workshops, checking in on the composting (we turn all flowers we pick up into soil), going to the manufacturer to check on our flower bag production (we sold out this winter and are coming back out with a new line this spring) as well as the INCH OR TWO production. Honestly, no day is the same and I LOVE IT.  

23 bags of unusable florals diverted from the landfill!

What was the worst piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
"Don't take that risk because no one has done that type of business before and you'll end up bankrupt." and I almost didn't move forward and I almost went bankrupt. I maxed out credit cards which turned into thriving businesses which became big wins. I had a small dream to bring joy to those who need it most and are typically ignored and no floral waste from the entertainment event/wedding/floral industry was accomplished. Life is meant to feel good and we're meant to experience joy.

"Giving isn't about how much you give, it's about what changes inside you when you do it." - Glennon Doyle Melton

What does success mean to you? 
The moment you hand someone flowers who hasn't left their hospital room in a month, two, or three, and you give them something that's alive that they can touch, smell, feel. You'll feel it in your heart and that feeling, that look on their face will never leave you. It's an imprint on your soul. To do that over and over again for people within the ReBLOOM family and community is what makes it all worth it. That's what success means to me.

ReBLOOM decorated Soho House Toronto for the holidays!

In moments of self-doubt or adversity, how do you build yourself back up?
Friends. I turn to friends. I work hard at ensuring the friends in my life are positive forces, as I hope I am for them. I have a tight inner circle and I'll share my bundled up anxiety, what's troubling me, etc. with them and look for their advice.

Do you have any morning routines or evening rituals to help you stay balanced?
My evening ritual is pretty easy. Bed by 9:30pm, read from a paperback until 10pm, then lights out. I don't like to have any screen-time in bed and I have a proper alarm clock to keep the ol' BlackBerry in another room. I'm someone who requires a lot of sleep. So sleep deprivation would be worse than a hangover for me. Earplugs are a must, lavender oil on the bottom of my feet and calcium magnesium pills are critical. Your body rejuvenates overnight, like flowers do.

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If you liked this interview, you might like our recent interview with Connie Lo and Laura Burget, co-founders of Three Ships Beauty.