Three years since being established, Greta's favourite flower studio, Picottee Floral Design, is proud to be growing, with plans of adding to the team. The decision came along when the small business suddenly became inundated with orders, due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
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A shortage of international imports has played havoc with the $8.5 billion global industry, but Australians seem to be buying flowers more now than ever before.
With nearly 50 percent of flowers sourced internationally, the pandemic has created an increased demand for local suppliers, an unprecedented yet welcomed circumstance.
The words "sold out" were planted on the store's Facebook page for the first time ever, for one weekend in August. With over 15 years experience in Floristry in the Hunter Valley, founder and creative director of Picottee Floral Design; Brie McGahen, said initially "I thought it was doom and gloom".
"Our flower supply into Australia, even our Australian grown flowers - everything came to a halt.
"The initial shock of it was frightening but once we kind of caught our breath, I have never been busier in the whole three years in the shop then I have now."
During the first lock down, Brie ensured she could continue operating safely, working behind closed doors and offering hands-free delivery. She said it was because if that, customers who couldn't visit loved ones, ordered from her.
"They were sending flowers, hampers, and beautiful messages of support. People working from home were buying flowers for themselves," Brie said.
"It was amazing and crazy." With no sight of sales diminishing, Brie's 'little' venture is looking to expand. "I think it put my little shop on the map. Business has definitely picked up," she added.
"I'm currently in the process of looking to bring on staff. That's how big we've grown, I need to bring someone else in to help me deliver all these beautiful flowers."
When she isn't creating unique designs in the studio, or spending time with her two boys, Harvey (10) and Flint (7), Brie is teaching at Kurri Kurri TAFE, encouraging those interested in a career in floristry to emerge themselves in it.
"I'm seeing all the new faces coming into our industry and hopefully inspiring some of our students to get out there and be a part of the beautiful industry that has been so amazing to me. "You need to live and breathe flowers. If floristry is something you want to do, you really have to submerge yourself in the floral culture."
As a family of Greta locals, Brie decided this town was the perfect place to open the business, wanting to offer something that wasn't available but was needed. Throughout her career, she has even found herself working internationally, delivering floral designs for weddings in both Germany and Ireland.
But, her passion is to keep things local. The Huntlee community has been a major support for the business, making Brie place emphasis on working first and foremost with other businesses in the region. "As soon as I opened, the community git behind me 100 percent. It's their support that has kept me operating. "We want to put our money back into where we live, back into the community."
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