From Bud to Bloom: Nicki Barron on Launching Pretty Busy Blooms this Good Friday

Fashion North caught up with Nicki Barron to talk blossoming, supporting small businesses, and bringing Pretty Busy Blooms to Chester-Le-Street.

Pretty Busy Blooms is a vibrant, female-owned floristry business founded by Nicki Barron. The new shop officially opened its doors on Good Friday, April 17, and Fashion North stopped by to explore the beautifully curated space. Nicki kindly took the time to answer some of our burning questions. Read the full interview below.

 

‘Believe in yourself because if you don’t believe in yourself and you haven’t got a passion for what you do and your products, how are you gonna instill it in everybody else’

 

Nicki, born and raised in Chester-Le-Street, began her floral journey 6 years ago with the launch of Pretty Busy Blooms. Originally this was ran from home whilst balancing her job in a school. However, she aimed to one day devote herself full-time to her florist business.

 

‘My father-in-law loved flowers and he loved his garden, he would take me around his garden and tell me what everything was, and it just evolved from there’

 

Nicki’s path into floristry was unexpected. Whilst poorly, she turned to painting flowers as a form of relaxation, growing her creativity and knowledge on the subject. Her love initially emerged thanks to her father-in-law, who often welcomed her into his garden. Over the years, Nicki’s confidence has flourished through hands-on experience and regular visits to flower wholesalers.

 

‘What I do pride myself on, is using artificial that look realistic, its a huge compliment to me when my wreaths are mistook for being fresh’

 

‘There’s nothing better than the scent of a fresh bouquet’ says Nicki, with a special love for the delicate fragrance of freesias. Taking the top spot as her all-time favourite flower are hydrangeas. She follows acknowledging the appeal of artificial arrangements for their longevity and how she takes pride when her lifelike designs are mistaken for the real thing.

 

‘What I’ve learned is when I’m doing workshops I enjoy teaching other people floral design and that’s what I’m going to be  doing here aswell’

 

Nicki’s background in teaching has naturally evolved into a love for hosting workshops, where she shares her passion for floral design. She noted that all the shop’s furniture is on wheels, allowing the space to be easily cleared and transformed. ‘I was passionate about creating a space where I could educate people’, she explains. 

 

‘Being from the North East, it’s just so friendly, people are willing to support, I’ve had loads of thumbs up at the window, smiles, good lucks, it’s just been amazing’

 

Nicki credits much of her social media confidence to the Northern Lass Lounge- a collective of female-owned small businesses based in the North East. She describes it as a supportive and empowering community, driven by the warmth, friendliness, and genuine encouragement. This truly embodies the spirit of the region.

 

 

‘I’ve had quite a few people contact us and be over the moon to have their stuff in an actual shop, something they’d never had before’ 

 

Throughout her shop, Nicki showcases a variety of products sourced through collaborations with fellow members of the Northern Lass Lounge. Committed to uplifting other women in business, she’s passionate about creating opportunities for small brands to grow- offering not just shelf space, but the encouragement and confidence she knows are essential to succeed.

 

‘When I’m here this is my happy space now, I feel calm, I feel surrounded by everything I love, it really is home’

 

While success for her family remains a top priority, Nicki also views opening the shop as a meaningful step in putting herself first. Though she admits to feeling some anxiety leading up to the launch, she’s confident it’s the right move for her growth and can’t help but be excited for this new chapter.

Here’s a closer look at the opening day:

All Photo Credit: Isabel Coxon Vadillo