About

Hi, I’m Rick — a florist, small business owner, and storyteller at heart.

SHOP FLOWERS

Beyond the Bouquet is a space where flower shop life meets real life. I created this blog to share stories from behind the counter of our flower shops in Brantford and Paris, Ontario — Forest of Flowers and McCormick Florist — along with moments of creativity, reflection, and the realities of running a small business.

For years, I’ve watched people walk through our doors to celebrate, to mourn, to say “I love you,” or simply “I’m thinking of you.” Flowers may be the medium, but it’s the human stories behind them that have always fascinated me. This blog is my way of capturing a few of those stories — both ours and yours.

You’ll find a little bit of everything here:

  • Snapshots from our day-to-day in the shop
  • Creative inspiration and floral musings
  • Honest thoughts on running a small business
  • The lessons, laughs, and learning that come with it all

Whether you’re a fellow florist, a creative spirit, a small business owner, or just someone who finds beauty in the everyday — welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

Let’s go beyond the bouquet together.

— Rick