Welcome to our monthly series Meet the Team, where we spotlight the extraordinary people that make Bayley & Sage so special. This month’s feature is on Vera, one of the talented florists at our Marylebone store. Read the full interview below.
1. How long have you been working at Bayley & Sage and what different roles have you held within the company? What is your role now?
I joined Bayley & Sage Marylebone as a florist at the end of January this year, so it’s been around nine months now. My main duties include ordering and taking care of flowers and plants, maintaining displays to keep the store looking beautiful, and creating bouquets. I joined during tulip season, so I’ve had the pleasure of spending spring, summer and now autumn here, and I’m really looking forward to experiencing winter with Bayley & Sage too.
2. What’s your favourite thing about working at Bayley & Sage?
The warm, family-like atmosphere. For me, one of the most important things in any workplace has always been the people you work with. We spend such a big part of our lives at work, so our time there becomes part of our life itself. When the people around you are kind, caring and supportive, it makes every day more joyful, strengthens teamwork, and helps us get through challenges together. That’s why I feel so happy and grateful to be part of our lovely Marylebone team.
3. Who or what has inspired you the most throughout your career?
My biggest inspiration is Jo Jo (Eunyoung Cho), my former floral design teacher in Korea. She left her stable job to follow her passion for flowers, came to the UK to study floristry, and built her career here from the ground up, earning a work permit and working as a florist for nine years. She later published a book about her journey, which I happened to read, and it completely reignited my passion and courage to pursue this path. She always valued natural beauty and originality over perfection, creating designs that were unexpectedly beautiful, unique, effortless and full of life. I share that same philosophy and try to carry it through every bouquet I make.
4. Have you always worked in this industry? If not, what other types of roles have you held?
No, I haven’t always worked in this industry. Before becoming a florist, I worked in the cosmetics industry for about seven years, across both manufacturing and distribution. Just before coming to London, I worked for over four years as a Product Information Specialist and Supply/Demand Planner.
5. What’s the best advice you could give someone who’s just starting out in their career?
When starting a new career, it’s easy to feel full of passion and excitement. I like to think of work life as a marathon rather than a sprint. To go the distance, it’s important to pace yourself. If you start out running too fast, you’ll get exhausted later, so try to manage your energy and enjoy the work as you go. Also, remember that no one is perfect at the beginning; don’t aim for perfection or get discouraged by mistakes. Use them as opportunities to learn and grow.
6. What are some of the accomplishments you’re most proud of?
I’m most proud of successfully leading the recent flower arranging workshop. Seeing participants enjoy themselves and leave with smiles gave me a real sense of fulfilment. Although I still have much to learn, I feel I grew a lot through that experience. I’m extremely grateful to everyone who trusted and supported me, and it was a wonderful reminder of just how powerful great teamwork can be.
7. What are you most looking forward to this year, both personally and professionally?
Time has flown by this year and it’s hard to believe it’s almost over. I’m really excited about celebrating my first Christmas as a florist in the UK. I hope to brighten our customers’ days with a variety of beautiful arrangements that are unique and full of unexpected touches, and I’m also looking forward to seeing this reflected in strong sales.
8. If you had to pick one item from B&S, what would you choose?
That’s such a hard question! I love B&S pasta, especially the Bolognese, and it’s amazing when paired with some chicken escalopes as a side. The Margherita pizza is always a favourite too! For dessert, I’d have to go with the Pistachio Tiramisu. Honestly, if I invited friends over and served those three — pasta, pizza and tiramisu — it would make the perfect little dinner party!
9. How do you spend your time when you’re not at Bayley & Sage?
I love spending time outdoors. When the weather is nice, I enjoy going for picnics in the park or sitting in a café with a cup of coffee or tea while catching up on things I need to do. I sometimes visit art galleries, and I also love cooking, trying out new recipes at home. Since moving to the UK, I’ve even picked up a new hobby of exploring different supermarkets. It’s surprisingly fun to discover all the unique products here.
10. What’s one interesting fact that we might not know about you?
Although I’m not currently training for anything, I really enjoy running. Did you know the London Marathon is one of the world’s six major marathons? If you complete all six, you receive a special medal, and although I’m still a beginner, I would love to earn that medal myself one day.