We were lucky to catch up with Alison Westlake recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alison, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

I bought a farm with a church on the property. I had put every egg in this basket. My intention to host Coriander Girl weddings. It was such a beautiful evolution of the floral business. After months and months of permits and site planning, we welcomed our first wedding. Nearing the end of the ceremony, the church floor collapsed. Fortunately no one was seriously injured but there was definite emotional trauma. I’ve spent the last 6 years trying to recover from this experience. The financial loss has been devastating. As business owners, there’s a ton of unknowns. Sometimes we’re flung into situations we have no idea how to navigate. My best advice is to surround yourself with people you trust, not just dreamers and ‘yes’ folks, but practical thinkers too who can provide sound advice when things go sideways.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was working for a landscaping company to support my acting career. I fell in love with flowers and starting doing friends weddings. I thought. One day I’ll have a flower shop. A friend said, “why not now?” A shop came available near my apartment in Parkdale, Toronto. I met with the landlord, “you will make the rent?” “I will make the rent,” and I shook his hand on the spot. That was it. 15 years ago in Parkdale they weren’t checking references. I paid $800 a month. It was perfect. 7 locations later, everything has changed. Bricks and mortar Retail is struggling with online competition. I closed my retail location in Prince Edward County last May. I’ve refined the model to weddings and events, workshops and flower pop ups. I went from 8 employees at one point and now it’s just me again. 15 years ago you couldn’t find garden style arrangements. I bought from local growers and I’m proud to say helped nuture the farm to florist movement in Ontario. My growers would say, “coriander girl is here, bring out the weedus roadsidea.”

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

During the pandemic I decided to sell the business to my manager at the Toronto location. I wish I could go back and just sit down with her and make decisions together. It got in the hands of lawyers and it just became more complicated than it needed it to be. In the end everything worked out well and I think it was the right move for us both.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I have had to pivot so many times. I’ve faced a ton of hardship in business, I think my virtue and vice is that I refuse to give up. I’m learning that perhaps my optimism didn’t always serve me. I needed to stop and think before leaping into riskier business situations. When it comes to entrepreneurship, I’m always looking at what’s next and I run toward the smallest glint of opportunity. But I’m finally learning the lesson that more isn’t automatically better and protecting one’s financial security needs to be the utmost priority.

Contact Info:

• Website: Coriandergirl.com
• Instagram: @coriandergirl
• Facebook: Coriander Girl

Image Credits
First three photos – Tara McMullen photography