A SINGLE mother says that a "new lease of life" during lockdown helped her to pursue her passion as she gets ready to open a new florist near Chester.
Bethann Owen has had a busy couple of years, completing a two year course in floristry, passing her driving test and securing premises for her new shop Wild Blodyn within Windmill Garden Centre on Sealand Road, Deeside. The new shop will officially open on Saturday, July 22 and is the culmination of a journey that began during the pandemic.
The business will have a full range of ready-made bouquets for various occasions as well as a flower bar, which will allow customers to create their own unique combinations to be arranged and wrapped by Bethann.
Prior to opening Wild Blodyn, Bethann had worked for Bernardo's for seven years, taking the job just as her son, Oscar, started school. But with the first lockdown, she decided that the time was right for a change.
"It was something that I had been interested in since I left school," Bethann said. "But I didn't decide to continue with it and chose a full time job instead.
"I've always been quite creative and enjoyed making things, that's where I find most of my enjoyment. During lockdown I just found that I wanted to do something different."
Bethann enrolled at Coleg Cambria, with a major factor being the location of the Level 2 Floristry course, which had changed from the Northop site to Wrexham, which was closer to her home in Connah's Quay. However, as she couldn't drive at the time, travelling to Wrexham each day whilst looking after her son and still juggling hours at Bernardo's tested her determination.
"It was really tiring, but it just goes to show that if you put your mind to something, you can get it. I would have to walk [Oscar] down to breakfast club or to my mum's house and then get the bus, which took around 40 minutes.
"We would get up around six in the morning and then get home at around six at night. But it's all worked out in the end, and I'm so glad it has."
Bethann's sister Kelly Hignett says that it was obvious that she had the ability to succeed in a creative career.
Kelly said: "She's very artistic and she's very good with designing and crafts and things like that.
"When I got married, Bethann came to the church with me the day before and we did our own flowers for the pews. She's always had that flair."
Bethann's family have rallied around her, helping to get the new shop ready over the past five weeks.
"It's been quite a transformation. My dad has fitted the shop with a new sink and build the flower stand, my sisters have helped me to redecorate along with my brother-in-law and even my little nephew.
"Everyone has chipped in and has got it to where it is now."
The 29-year-old is now looking forward to opening day and hopes that this will be the start of a bright new career.
"I'm where I want to be. Whilst it's been stressful at times, it feels rewarding to have my own shop and I am hoping that it will provide a decent future for me and for Oscar."
Wild Blodyn will be open from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday, July 22.
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