Local community leaders participate in Flower Movement Awareness Week

Local community leaders gathered at Betty J's Florist in Winter Garden at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11, and Thursday, Aug. 12, to celebrate Flower Movement Awareness Week. 

Flower Movement Awareness Week, which runs Monday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 14, is a celebration where "members of the floral community can come together in a concentrated effort to support the cause," according to the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association. 

The community leaders helped create artistically crafted flower arrangements with the help of Betty J's owner's Rilla and Libby Tomyn. 

"It all boils down to spreading joy through flowers and becoming #oneflowerfamily in our communities," Libby Tomyn shared. 

Notable ladies in attendance on Wednesday included Nikki Fosnaugh, Christy Lowery-Qualls, and Tracy Lewis and Michelle Meacham from "We Are Winter Garden."

Fosnaugh said one of the owners invited her to join the class. 

"I’m so glad I did as it got me out of my comfort zone while reconnecting with friends that I hadn’t seen in a while," Fosnaugh shared. "I’m all about helping and promoting small businesses anyway I can, so it was an amazing experience to learn how to make an arrangement and learn about the flowers. I had the best time and was able to spread my joy on social media about it. I have a better understanding that what Betty J’s does isn’t just about giving you pretty flowers, they want you to love and have a connection to everything they do. To make it an individual experience to really show their creativity, passion and love behind every piece they create. You can’t go wrong and I loved it."

Business leaders from Jake's Small Business Alliance, which we told you about here, attended the event together in order to raise awareness for the movement and benefit small local business. 

Members in attendance on Thursday included Jake McKenna, Jake of All Trades; Sean O'Neill, leader of the popular “Winter Garden — Rants, Raves and Reviews” group; Tim Shirah, TS Portfolio LLC; Michael Holt, Premier Power; and Jordan Lewis, the son of Charles Lewis and owner of Front Row Sports Bar and Grill in Ocoee and Winter Garden Restaurant. 

McKenna said he was also contacted by the owners who invited him to the event. 

"I wanted to learn more about the local businesses on the Alliance page so I have personally been reaching out, meeting with them and visiting their stores," McKenna shared. "I thought this would be a great opportunity to  put some face time in with the local business owners, like Rilla and Libby, get a feel for what they do and the hard work and artistry that goes behind it. I also got to have a few laughs with some funny guys. It was a really good time and will definitely want to do another class."

Downtown Winter Garden business The Modern Host Life, owned by Karem Rodriguez which we told you about here, supplied small snacks and drinks to attendees. 

For more information on local small business Betty J's Florist, click here or call (407) 656-3526.