Two bubbly entrepreneurs, friends and neighbours decided after an afternoon of chatting with a friend that they could make something happen.
In 2019, Neena Johnson and Tamara Schill joined together to create New Beginnings by Neena & Tamara’s Custom Floral Arrangements & Seasonal Designs. Both women come from artistic backgrounds.
WAWOTA
“Tamara has a gift for design and pulling things together,” Johnson said. “She did her own wedding flowers.”
Johnson’s love of the flower shop industry began at a young age while in 4-H and getting involved with the local flower shop in Wawota. Both women enjoy each other’s company and sharing their joy with others.
They tend to be the busiest during seasonal holidays, such as Mother’s and Father’s Day and Valentine’s Day. They also keep busy with birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and celebrations of life.
Schill and Johnson also teach classes in their studio and travel for group classes and events. The sessions began in 2019. They try to do a class every month and several during the weeks before Christmas.
They started up when COVID was at its peak. They’ve worked hard to encourage groups to regain that sense of comradery and community with group events. Themed design classes are very popular and self-fulfilling, as people take home their very own creation.
Johnson and Schill have different approaches to design at times. While Johnson uses traditional inspiration for much of her designs, Schill leans toward the trendy side. Their work, technique and personalities attract clientele from all sides of life. They currently work on a pre-order/pre-book status.
They have been known to get up in the early hours to make it to Winnipeg and back for very special requests. They do their best to accommodate everyone that they can. However, if they feel that they won’t be able to assist someone, they then refer that person to another floral designer in the area.
Schill and Johnson agreed that anyone can be cheered by flowers. There are, of course, the aromas, the warmth and welcome of a fresh arrangement or bouquet. There is also the colour and texture that pops from the container or vase. These all reach out to tug on memories and times of happiness.
The two families work well together. The children help out where and when they can. Their husbands have been a huge help, with one a woodworker and the other a mechanic. So, between the bunch of them they just make it work.
It will be five years in April for these two women and their families. They are grateful to everyone that enjoys their work and classes. They invite people to call ahead to book an appointment to meet with them for designing needs.
