Beyond The Bouquet

Hi there — and welcome to Beyond the Bouquet.

I’m Rick, a florist and small business owner based in Brantford and Paris, Ontario. Together with my partner Alex and our amazing team, we run Forest of Flowers Brantford and McCormick Florist — two flower shops with deep roots in our communities and a whole lot of heart behind the scenes.

For years, I’ve wanted a place to share what really goes on behind the flowers — the stories, the people, the moments of joy, chaos, and beauty that happen in a flower shop when no one’s watching. Because as much as I love the final bouquet, it’s the process, the purpose, and the people that make this work meaningful.

That’s what this blog is about.

What to expect here:

• Honest stories from life in the flower shop
• Personal reflections on business, creativity, and community
• Occasional floral tips, thoughts, and inspiration
• Moments that made us laugh, pause, or just appreciate the small things

Running a flower shop isn’t always picture-perfect. Some days we’re arranging lilies in a rush between deliveries, trying to keep vase water clean while answering the phone, or comforting a customer who’s picking out flowers for the hardest day of their life. And then there are the beautiful, ordinary moments: fresh blooms in the cooler, the smell of eucalyptus, a customer’s face lighting up when they see their bouquet.

I want to share it all — the heart behind the work.

So whether you’re a fellow florist, a curious customer, a creative soul, or just someone who enjoys a good story and a few petals along the way — thank you for being here. I’m excited to see where this little corner of the internet goes.

Let’s go beyond the bouquet together.

— Rick

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