What I’m doing now

Let’s be real, I never truly stopped designing with flowers, but I did take a pretty big step back while playing with retail, which has a large piece of my heart. Retail is my backbone, what I grew up in. Not to mention, being an entrepreneur is a different kind of person that I’ve had to come to terms with. I have sooooo many good ideas. However, I can’t do them all. Maybe if I were rich….no!

A few years after the pandemic, it became clear to me that retail was no place for my current life anymore. I had too much on my plate plus being a Wife and Mom. Something had to give. I was sacrificing my family. I kept hearing about this work-life thing. All the kids are doing it. I can say that now that I’m over 40. Wow. I said that… I’m over 40.

Honestly, it’s been a HUGE transition. I spent countless hours this winter picking up the pieces, feeling guilty, and struggling to let go (even with someone stealing my business name BLEAV, but it’s Believe you guys - all of my hard work that someone else gets to use). It was a blow. It was really hard to allow myself time to make changes and know that my hard work was what someone else wanted. I guess I could live with that, even without compensation. It’s truly a compliment to what I created, so thanks, I guess.

I’m finally getting the hang of this work-life balance thing that I thought was so lame or impossible before. Being able to have an @home workshop has allowed me to slow down. I get to enjoy what my kiddos are doing in sports, music, whatever! I have time to ask about homework and if they need help (it feels good when I can still help my 11yo with math, score!). I get to work on my own self-care (exercise, reading, whatever I want) that’s been neglected for the past 10 years, make dinner, do chores, and just simply take care of my family. I sure have been kissing my husband more too. These are the biggest rewards in life. I don’t have to struggle or fight long work hours to feel successful or feel good about what I do in life. It’s about finding quality time with what matters most, my family.

So often, we are pushed to the brink by society and technology, and I say, to the younger generation, (to some degree) you’re right. Who doesn’t deserve this work-life balance? We all deserve it. We can work hard and play hard, or do yoga + meditation.

All in all, I’m on my true path to success. I no longer feel ashamed that I failed myself, my family, or my community. I think I’m actually giving even more back today. It’s so fun to feel free to be creative again, like truly me.

Being able to freely design florals or provide event planning to my fullest ability, possibly for the first time ever, is overwhelmingly good. It fills my heart and soul. Take a look at my site. Head to the Home button at the top of this page and check out all of the things that I am doing now. It’s all here. Also, the next blog is about Seasonality. Here I will discuss where my flowers for weddings and events will be coming from this year and what seasonality means for me as a single florist in this small, but big world.

So what am I doing now? I’m taking a few big steps back. I’m enjoying my family. I’m taking care of myself. I’m creating some of my best work ever. Let’s go!

~Lora

Businesses created with BLEAV, LLC 2008 - 2024

~Blue’s Coffee Bar (coffee bar at the floral shop)

~Lora Modern Living (home decor + Christmas)

~Emerald’s Closet (was consignment turned retail)

~Adam (makes a mean chocolate chip cookie)

~Vivian Floral Creations (aka Last Call Floral + Events)

~OCNutrition (Herbal Life shakes and teas)

and now fLORAl designs + events