To celebrate 20 years of @womenmakingitwork, 22 members were courageous and shared their personal stories.
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This is my story in the book. 'Beyond the Business, Stories of women who dared'
Available on Amazon.
“Blooming my way”.
A Mother's Journey to Reclaiming Herself Through Family Estrangement
I once was a mother of three children…
Before this, art had always been a constant throughout my life.
My parents gave me this gift. Mum was an art teacher then patchwork shop owner, Dad a graphic designer and printer. Growing up, I was surrounded by creativity and their businesses. My parents were always creating something beautiful, and that environment taught me to see beauty everywhere and find joy in creating.
At 16, during work experience, I fell in love with floristry. There was something magical about how quickly I could transform flower stems and foliage into something breathtaking. I threw myself into it, completed my apprenticeship, and even won awards. I was on a clear, happy path.
But life has a way of changing direction.
I stepped away from a floristry career to get married and just get a florist job. Then I left to become a stay-at-home mum to my two children. That became my world—completely focused on my family. When we had our third baby, I started working in the family business selling car parts. A world away from flowers, but it was practical with family life.
Once our youngest started kindergarten, I began working school hours. I learned so much about running a business: managing deliveries, staff, bookkeeping. I was also with my ex-husband 24/7, where we learned a whole lot more about each other.
Even with all these new skills, something vital was missing. I felt like I had lost myself. I loved being a mother—that never changed. But I also felt like I'd become just a personal assistant to my husband. The joy I once found in being creative had faded. My enthusiasm for life itself seemed to be disappearing. Life just wasn't feeding my soul.
I needed a change. A fresh start. I chose to leave my marriage—not just for me, but for my children. I knew I needed to build a life that reflected the values I wanted them to see. A life where passion and purpose weren't just memories, but daily realities.
The ten year journey through separation, divorce and co-parenting was brutal. There's no other way to describe it. Looking back, I honestly believe I handled the whole thing terribly. The pain I caused my children during that time weighs heavily on me. It was messy, chaotic, and brought struggles I never imagined. Between the health issues, emotional turmoil, and deep family problems, I felt like I was drowning.
Here I was, trying to lead a growing business to support my family, but behind the flowers, my personal life was falling apart. The contrast was stark—creating beauty for others while my own world felt like a storm.
It was during this dark time that I discovered something transformative: the power of connecting with other women in business. I actively sought out groups where I could find women who understood the impossible juggling act of life, family, and business. Organizations like Women Making It Work and BRAVA Women's Networking became my lifeline.
These weren't networking events about exchanging business cards. This was about finding my tribe—women who offered genuine support, shared their own struggles, and helped me through the toughest times of my life. This community showed me I wasn't alone in feeling overwhelmed and broken.
So in 2017, separated and armed with a range of business skills, I started my own floristry business from my home in Cheltenham. I was serious about making it work. By 2018, I had my own warehouse—a huge leap forward. Then came the game-changer: I bought the website and brand Flowers for Jane. That acquisition instantly gave me a strong online presence and accelerated my growth across Melbourne.
I wasn't just a florist anymore. I was a businesswoman turning my passion into real success. And in doing so, I thought I was finally finding my own identity again.
My personal journey has taught me profound lessons about motherhood and love in its most challenging forms. Since the divorce, I've navigated the heartbreak of a fractured relationship with my children.
There isn't a moment I don't think of my children. The truth is, my children are estranged from me and won't speak to my family or I. This heartbreak could have consumed me, but I've made a different choice. I choose to live my life in a way that honors how I wish them to live theirs.
There is no resentment or bitterness in my heart. I strive for forgiveness every day. Forgiveness for myself, for the mistakes I made, and for others' behaviors that contributed to this pain. Because I believe that's the only way we can let go, and how we all move forward and live our lives fully.
I want to lead by example, showing them the passion, persistence, and open-mindedness that I hope they will embrace in their own lives. Even if they can't see it right now, even if they may never see it, this is my way of loving them from afar..
The real heart of Flowers for Jane isn't just in the flowers—it's in the connections I help my customers cherish. I'm not just selling flowers. I'm helping people celebrate milestones, express love, and offer comfort during life's hardest moments. These genuine connections are what truly define my business and bring me the greatest joy.
But being a sole business owner, especially in a creative field, is relentless. It's a constant balancing act between being an artist and running a business. Some days I feel like I'm wearing ten different hats—and I'm not sure any of them fit properly. I handle online orders, plan deliveries nationally and around the Greater Frankston area, teach floristry classes, and ensure I always have fresh flowers.
When other small business owners ask for advice, I always share what I've learned through my own struggles and triumphs. "You have to have genuine passion for what you're doing," I tell them. "The love and authenticity you bring to your work—that's what sets you apart." Building a business while rebuilding yourself requires doing the hard yards, but it's worth it if you truly love being a business owner.
Looking ahead, my vision for Flowers for Jane might surprise some people. I want to stay exactly where I am. This isn't about lacking ambition—it's about understanding what true success means to me. I've worked hard to reach where I'm happy and can manage everything well.
My story offers a different perspective on success for other business owners. It shows that growth isn't always about scaling up—sometimes it's about going deeper. It's about following your passion, adapting when life gets tough, and staying true to your values even when the path isn't straight.
This is more than a business—it's a testament to the power of starting over, finding your authentic self, and choosing to bloom your way.
To own
