For Barnesville woman, starting her own flower business was meant to be
Published Tuesday November 10th, 2009
Sandra Miller's summer vacation wasn't spent relaxing and resting.
Instead, the Barnesville resident used the break to decide to go into business for herself.
Working as a florist for a Saint John business, she had always dreamed of owning her own flower shop. This summer, she decided to pursue it when friends mentioned a retail space was available in Lakefield Plaza.
"It was just time for me," she said. "I previously was at another flower shop. I had managed that for six years.
"But I thought, 'if I'm going to do it, I've got to do it now'," she added. "And it all fell together in a matter of a couple of weeks. It was all meant to be."
In September, Sandra Miller Floral Designs opened at 184 Hampton Rd. in Quispamsis.
Miller has been involved in the floral industry since 1991 when she walked into a Saint John greenhouse nursery and, without any experience, offered to work for free for two weeks. She was hired on the spot. Ever since, she's been honing her skills and, in 2006, became one of only 22 accredited florists in Canada.
"It just gets in your blood," she said of floral design. "It's the instant gratification that you get after looking at a bucket full of flowers and creating something completely different that's beautiful. It's being creative."
Miller said she always dreamed of opening her own store in the Kennebecasis Valley because there were no other independent floral shops there. Until her store opened, the only places selling bouquets and the like were the boutiques inside the grocery stores.
Inside her newly opened 800-square-foot shop, customers can sip on cappuccinos and lattes while browsing through her selection of flowers and gift items, like purses, jewelry, candles and plants. Or they can watch Miller design stunning floral arrangements for weddings, funerals or everyday occasions.
She said the location provides easy access for customers, who can quickly park in front of her store, place an order or browse through her selection of gift items. The store will also offer full deliveries and, being part of the FTD florist network, will arrange for floral deliveries worldwide.
This weekend, she is holding her Christmas open house. For more information, visit www.sandramillerfloral.com or call 849-2200.
YOGA STUDIO
Stephen Joyce's passion for yoga was sparked 20 years ago.
"The idea of living a longer and healthier life really lured me into it," he said.
Today, that same passion has him operating his own yoga and meditation business - the Amana Institute.
On Friday, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Joyce and his wife, Kristine Ward, will be holding the grand opening of their new yoga studio in Nauwigewauk. The studio, located in a newly renovated carriage house, is located at 66 Station Loop Rd.
"It's just beautiful," Joyce said. "It looks really nice and the students love it."
Two decades ago, Joyce began taking yoga classes and practising it daily. Soon his wife joined him. The pair so enjoyed the benefits that they decided to teach others. They both became certified trainers, with Joyce learning from celebrity author and mind-body lecturer Deepak Chopra in California.
Five years ago, they began the Amana Institute, offering classes in their former home. The business went so well that three years ago, Joyce gave up his job and launched into growing the business full-time.
This year, the couple saw two new developments. They started offering classes at the Ambiance Day Spa in Market Square in Saint John and they moved to a 160-year-old homestead in Nauwigewauk that had a three-bay carriage house on the property.
After many renovations, the carriage house was turned into a yoga studio, complete with in-floor radiant heating, making it comfortable for the yoga students as they assume their poses.
Joyce said he is pleased with the move. It's allowed the business to expand its customer base, drawing students from Hampton, the Kennebecasis Valley and Darlings Island who are interested in learning yoga. The institute offers classes in Ashtanga, Vinyasa flow and prenatal yoga, yoga classes for moms and tots, Pilates classes as well as classes on primordial sound meditation.
"It seems to be a yoga mecca out here," he said. "It's been a very positive move for us."
For more information, visit www.amanainstitute.com or call 832-1850.
Erin Dwyer writes the Developments column for the Telegraph-Journal. It appears Tuesdays. To make a suggestion about a new Kings County business, email her a dwyer.erin@telegraphjournal.com
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