Meet the Leeds woman who is living her teenage dream by opening a new florist's in Farsley
“Everybody’s just been amazing and I couldn’t feel more welcome” 🌷
A Leeds woman who first began working at a florist’s as a teenager has now opened her very own flower shop 25 years later.
Joanne Birch is the owner of Daphne’s Daisies, a brand new florist on Town Street in Farsley which sells flowers designed to brighten any occasion.
The 39-year-old’s interest in floristry began 25 years ago when she began working at Monroes Florist in Crossgates at the age of 14.
“My neighbour Maria owned Monroes Florist and I used to nag her for years to come and work there. I started just as a Saturday girl and then I was there all the time,” Joanne told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I loved it and I always said that’s what I would retire doing.”
Joanne’s job began by with simple tasks such as conditioning buckets, cutting flowers, and serving customers.
With Maria as the “best teacher”, she gradually grew her floristry experience while balancing the job alongside school and then university.
Even when Joanne pursued a career in teaching, she continually returned to help out at Monroes Florist for special occasions.
A seed of an idea to create her own florist business was planted in 2019 when Joanne went on maternity leave.
She began by selling flowers on Facebook Marketplace, before quitting her well-loved career in teaching last year to prepare to set up shop.
“I always thought I would want my own flower shop but there’s so many florist’s that have gone off high streets,” Joanne said.
“I know it’s a bold move and it does scare me, but I feel so ready for it.”
Daphne’s Daisies officially opened its doors on June 27 and Joanne said she is “thrilled” to have received such a positive reception in the first two weeks of business.
Joanne said: “I’m really lucky that I’m in Farsley because they’re just one very big community.
“Everybody’s just been amazing and I couldn’t feel more welcome.”
The business is named after Daphne, Joanne’s “extra special” cocker spaniel who spent 16 years by her side.
Alongside being great at cuddles, Daphne had a secret talent for weeding and was known to pick up daisies on walks, inspiring the name Daphne’s Daisies.
Joanne said: “I had Daphne for nearly 16 years. I was completely obsessed with her - she was my first love.
“She had this awesome energy and passion and I want to bring that energy and passion to floristry.”
Creating Daphne’s Daisies has been a venture made possible through the support of Joanne’s family, including her husband Adam, who Joanne said has “been incredible” while helping the shop get ready to open.
And, in a full-circle moment, Maria, who gave Joanne her first florist job as a teenager, has now been helping out at Daphne’s Daisies.
It’s been a “surreal” month for Joanne as the business owner also won Best Florist in Yorkshire at the Muddy Stiletto Awards, a surprise which she said left her feeling “over the moon.”
The shop is the next step on Daphne’s Daisies journey as it now creates a physical space for the community Joanne has built over the years.
Ultimately, it’s a destination that wants to show the people of Leeds the power of flowers.
Joanne said: “A flower always symbolises care, no matter what flower it is.”
“They always mark something special, even when it’s sad. They’re a lovely tribute, and they show that I’m thinking of you.”