From theatre roots to budding entrepreneur

Florist Emma Taylor showed her true colours with a creative display at this year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

In the afterglow of the Twilight books and reflecting the vampire craze, Taylor’s business, Flowers by Flos Florum, created a vampire’s library full of carnivorous plants and props.

“It was the first year Leslie, the senior florist, and I decided we’d love to give it a go. Because Leslie is a huge vampire fan and I have a theatrical background, we looked for a contemporary, more European style of floristry and went from there,” Taylor says.

The pair began sourcing props and scenery in November, putting in extra time in the evenings and at weekends.

But thanks to eBay they haven’t had to go far from home, and the set-making was done with their partners’ help.

Taylor hasn’t always been a florist. The former London-based actor decided to take a gamble, chasing romance halfway across the globe, even if it meant leaving her career behind.

Luckily the gamble paid off — she married within weeks, and Taylor did the wedding flowers herself.

After arriving in Melbourne in 2006, she visited the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, sparking her interest in becoming a florist.

“I hadn’t thought about a career in anything other than the arts. Coming from London to Melbourne as an actor, it was tricky, with nowhere near the amount of theatre, so you have to start from scratch.

“I thought with my creative background I’d give floristry a go,” she says.

“My parents taught me that if you wake up every day and enjoy the job you do, then you’ve succeeded in life.”

Enrolling in Marjorie Milner’s three-year apprenticeship, Taylor gained certificates 2, 3 and 4 in floristry before starting work at a Malvern florist.

Taylor went on to work at Flos Florum in 2008 to develop her skills before she and her partner dug into their pockets when the former owner offered the business for sale.

“I went looking for a florist where I could build my experience and I’m fortunate to have fallen on my feet by taking over the business on Valentine’s Day,” she says.

The three girls working at Flowers by Flos Florum all have a hands-on role.

From Monday to Saturday, Taylor can work 60-70 hours a week.

“My day starts when the flower growers come in and, if I have an evening wedding or an event down on the Mornington Peninsula, I’m not home until 8pm, but that’s not every day,” Taylor says.

“We use suppliers who come to us and we go to the market only to look for new ideas.

“To ensure the produce is fresh, you need to create good relationships with the growers. One of our growers even calls us from the field and asks whether we want magnolias that day.”

The best part about floristry for Taylor is building relationships with clients.

“In many businesses people are looking around for something that will beat the next person, but we’ve found people want personalised service and I’m happy to offer that,” she says.

Taylor’s artistic career took off when she moved from Yorkshire to London to train at Mountview Academy of the Arts, gaining a degree in acting.

During her studies Taylor had the chance to tread the boards at the Globe Theatre, Shakespeare’s favourite, in the William Pole Festival, having done a vigorous audition in front of an independent board and winning the Laurence Olivier Award.

She went on to win the Carleton Hobbs Bursary, giving her an opportunity to gain freelance work on BBC Radio.

“The UK has a huge radio-play culture. It’s great. You get to do your own sound effects. There is a little bit of rehearsal time and then you’re on radio.”