From Humble Roots to Blooming Success
Kay's Flower School on RTE Radio One with Richard Curran
We recently had the absolute pleasure of joining Richard Curran on RTÉ Radio 1's 'The Business Show', and it was an incredible opportunity to share the deep roots and blossoming journey of Kay's Flower School. It’s a story that begins long before the first flower arrangement was ever taught, with the remarkable vision of our mum, Catherine – better known to us and many as Kay.
The Original Entrepreneur: Kay's Unstoppable Spirit
Before Kay's Flower School was even a seed of an idea, our mum was a force of nature. Richard learned about her early days working in a sewing factory in Cherry Orchard, mastering "invisible mending" – a skill so precise you'd never know there was a flaw in the material. This natural talent for perfection and diligence translated into an amazing ability to make all our clothes, ensuring we were "probably the best kids going to school every day!"
Despite limited formal education, a common reality for women of her generation, Kay was always learning, always doing. She made rosary beads at home, was the only woman on our road who drove, and even designed the very first website for Kay's Flower School herself, decades ago. Her tech savvy was legendary – "She was so techie! Like when anything would go wrong with the computer, we'd bring it around to mum." Kay truly embodied the spirit of a self-made woman, constantly innovating and adapting.
The name "Kay's" itself comes from a nickname her dad gave her as a child. When she opened her first florist shop on the corner of the South Circular Road in Rialto, she aptly called it "Kay's Florist on Kay's Corner." That original premise, near St. James's Hospital, is still part of our story today!
Branching Out: From Shop to School
When Kay opened her flower shop, our sister Janette was quickly drafted in, at just 18 or 19. Back then, formal floristry training in Ireland was practically non-existent. So, Kay, ever the visionary, sent Janette to the UK for her training. Deirdre, on the other hand, had different plans! She wanted "nice hands" and initially pursued a career in beauty therapy, opening her own salon before eventually moving into adult education and teaching beauty therapists.
The idea for Kay's Flower School truly bloomed from a recognition of a gap in the market. Floristry was a "closed shop," often passed down through families. Kay and the girls wanted to make professional floristry accessible to everyone outside the trade. Their goal was to teach the commercial aspects – costing arrangements, sourcing materials, and understanding selling prices – skills not covered in hobby classes. "We wanted to make it more accessible to people outside of the trade," and from a small start, it truly took off.
A Pandemic Pivot: Going Global with Online Learning
Like many businesses, March 2020 brought unprecedented challenges. "Our business was literally dissolving in front of our eyes," Deirdre shared. But a new idea took root. With the school building empty, Deirdre suggested they go in and record online classes. It wasn't always smooth sailing initially, with Janette being "as stiff as a poker" on camera! But with Deirdre's direction, knowing "where to zoom in and zoom out and get her to stop and redo it," they worked tirelessly, recording all day and editing all night. Their first online course launched on May 29th, a testament to their incredible adaptability.
What sets Kay's Flower School online courses apart is their personal touch. Unlike typical "login and leave" online models, they wanted to replicate the warm, welcoming atmosphere of their in-person classes, complete with "a cup of tea" and introductions. They innovated by creating kits with the exact materials used in the tutorials, eliminating the need for students to source anything. They even partnered with a Dutch supplier to ship flowers directly to students globally! This, combined with one-to-one WhatsApp support, ensures a truly immersive and supportive learning experience for students of all abilities, from absolute beginners to advanced florists.
Global Recognition and the Family Bond
Their dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. Janette was nominated for and won "Floral Educator of the Year" in America – an incredible achievement that initially surprised them! This led to an invitation to teach at Sarah Campbell's "Intrigue" conferences in the US, a celebrity florist known for the Netflix Big Flower Fight. Despite initial "imposter syndrome," they quickly realised their unique techniques and teaching style resonated deeply. So much so that Sarah Campbell is now bringing "Intrigue across Europe" to County Sligo this November, starting with Ireland because "everybody loves yous!"
For Janette, the joy comes from the job satisfaction: seeing someone who "doesn't know how to cut a rose" transform into a skilled florist. Over 85% of florists in Ireland, or their staff, have been trained at Kay's Flower School, a testament to their impact. And the focus on empowering women in business is hugely rewarding, with 90% of their florists being women.
And what about the two sisters working together? While they might "breathe too loud" for each other as kids ("We couldn't stand each other!"), those early sibling rivalries now make for a fantastic partnership. They've learned their boundaries and leverage their individual strengths – Deirdre handling the tech and social media, Janette the floristry advice. It truly remains a family affair, with their sister Sinead working as a virtual assistant, and even their Dad, "Mr. Kay," a beloved figure at their Christmas wreath workshops. The next generation might even be joining in, with Deirdre's daughter, Cara, already envisioning Granda cleaning the classroom after her!
It was an honour to share our family's story on The Business Show. We hope you enjoyed hearing about our journey as much as we enjoyed telling it!