The smell of freshly cut flowers mixes with hints of cinnamon.
The scents drift out the front door of Aspen Florist and into the streets of downtown Bowmanville, embracing local residents in a warm hug.
Lisa Radu, owner of the popular florist shop, welcomes every single person, whether stranger or life-long friend, as family.
Customers come from all walks of life: an excited bride-to-be, a new mom with her infant daughter, or an older women celebrating her birthday. They all find joy in Radu’s fresh blooms.
“When words fail, flowers can speak for people,” said Radu.
The Durham Region native began her floral business, Aspen Florist, from a studio in her basement eleven years ago. In early October, Radu opened her first dedicated storefront on 26 King St. W, in downtown Bowmanville.
The 53-year-old’s journey has not been without challenges, but Radu stands as a pillar of what humanity is capable of with a little perseverance and a whole lot of love.
Planting the seeds
Radu’s fascination with flowers took root at a young age.
Her great-aunt lived in the country and during summer holidays Radu explored her vast garden.
“I just felt compelled to work with florals,” said Radu.
That longing followed her into adulthood as she worked full-time as a cashier at Loblaws. The store had a full-service floral department that had Radu captivated.
“I wanted to get into those floral departments so badly,” said Radu, “but you had to be a floral designer, or they wouldn’t look at you.”
After some research Radu took the leap and signed up for Sharon’s School of Floral Design in Bowmanville.
Radu graduated with honours and applied to Loblaws floral department in Oshawa Centre.
At the same time, Radu decided to open her own business, Aspen Springs Florist. It took off and before she knew it, Radu was getting orders from all over Canada.
Then at the height of her success, it all came crashing down.
Radu was in a horrific car accident. In an instant, she went from organizing floral arrangements to intense physiotherapy five days a week.
Radu was forced to close her business as she healed. She spent the next decade focused on being a mother to her three sons.
Until an opportunity arose that presented her with a second chance.
Nurturing the plantlet
In the summer of 2014 Radu celebrated her niece’s engagement. A wedding and event planner in her own right, the niece wanted her aunt, and only her aunt, to do the floral arrangements.
Radu agreed even though she hadn’t touched flowers in 13 years.
To refresh her skills she took a part-time job as a floral designer in Pickering. She lasted two months before Radu discovered that the floral shop was full of mold.
Radu’s husband her a studio in their unfinished basement. She registered her new business Aspen Florist in September.
In October, Radu’s niece asked her to participate in a bridal show.
“I did 17 weddings the first year. I think I did 21 the next year, 30 the next year and then it just kept growing,” said Radu.
In full bloom
As a wedding and event florist for 11 years, Radu has received many accolades.
She won platinum, diamond and gold from Oshawa’s Readers’ Choice Awards several times. The Readers’ Choice Award program is an annual program that invites the community to vote for their favourite local businesses.
“It’s the most incredible honour,” said Radu. “We are in the business of delivering joy to people, and that is the greatest gift that I have.”
Radu has also collaborated with several local businesses, including Petra King Photography, a baby and maternity photography studio in Oshawa. Petra King is Radu’s best friend.
King said, “There’s not just one thing that I love about her, it’s who she is and how she makes life better.”
Krysta Southwell, a bride-to-be, was also impressed by Radu’s disposition. Before finding Radu, Southwell had a terrible experience with another florist.
The first time they were scheduled to speak Southwell got stuck in traffic, but Radu was “accommodating” and “flexible.” Once they started talking it just clicked.
“She really just kind of heard my vision of what I wanted,” said Southwell.
Even with the new storefront, Radu’s big dream is to have a small warehouse space where she can fit all the pieces of her floral operation.
“But I don’t think you’ll ever see me leave downtown Bowmanville,” said Radu. “My heart is here.”