Why Over The Fence Florist?

One of the more common questions I'm asked when speaking about my business is my actual business name. Why Over The Fence Florist? Commonly, you see florist business names incorporating some part of the owner's name into their title, or you see a florist with the most whimsical and catchy name that makes you second-guess if you are actually creative at all. But why Over The Fence?

In primary school, one of my best friends/my neighbour, would walk and catch the bus together every morning. As kids, you are always looking for a spare bit of change to go buy something or make an honest dollar. We had occasionally talked of starting up our own thing. making small trinkets to sell (but obviously never going through with it). At the time, I had a keen interest in sewing and giving old items a second life. Moving into high school, my spare time shifted into assessments and sports, and my more creative hobbies took to the back burner. The COVID-19 lock-downs gave me a chance to dive back into those creative hobbies, harness my skills and find something that picked at my interest.

For a good portion of my childhood, I grew up in Bargo. Always watching my parents interact with neighbours and the locals. Later then moving to Marulan (an even smaller town), community connection was massive and anyone knew everyone. You could often go for a walk/ride down the road, stop and chat with the locals and be on your way. Both of my parents being horticulturists, are avid lovers of growing their own produce, which we would also exchange with the neighbours and friends over the fence.

As Marulan started to grow, so did its opportunities. New businesses, shops and families moved to the area. From my time working in the local hairdresser's, I learnt the best way to connect with the locals and businesses. Putting yourself out there can be the scariest part of it all. Unsure of how people will take to a new business, especially in small towns. The COVID-19 lock-downs made people realise the importance of using local producers, growers and businesses. With postage delays and the inability to travel or shop in person, local businesses thrived on community support and connection.

But it wasn't just about these small connections with your neighbours and locals. It was the commitment from locals to back and support local businesses that helped set my business name in stone. It's the connections you make over the fence, chatting with your neighbour, who then talks about it with their neighbour. The chain reaction of word-of-mouth support was a crucial and special part of what kept and has kept my business going.

Over The Fence is more than just a name. It's a meaning of connection and stories. Told and untold. It's Your Story. In Every Stem