A moment with the talented BESS
Every Monday, we are welcomed by a beautiful new arrangement of intricate native flowers, delivered by the inimitable Bess. Their colour, aroma & shapes fill the space - often acompanied by a story of their origin, species or inspiration.
We are thrilled to share some thoughts from our friend, Bess.
What is your earliest memory of caring for your skin?
My sisters and I would make facial vouchers for our birthdays and Christmas. I remember my sister sitting me down for a face massage in her “salon” set up at home when we were 8 or 10.
What activity do you do which makes you feel most like yourself?
Running.
I love running in Centennial Park most mornings. It helps me start to the day with an open mind.
What is the most beautiful word or sound in the world?
On my parent’s flower farm where I grew up, the birds and frogs get so loud in the evenings, almost deafening in a good way. It starts with one frog, then a whole choir of frogs and birds. I only hear it when I go home.
When I hear it now it reminds me of growing up on the farm with my sisters. It’s peaceful when that’s the only thing you can hear.
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?
Allowing myself the time to start my own business. Starting the shop BESS on William Street in Paddington. Taking the leap to open a shop was nerve-wracking, and continues to be overwhelming at times but I love the shop and can’t imagine not having it now.
The community around the shop gets better and bigger every year. I can see it growing into the future and know that there will be more special relationships formed—with customers, other shops on the street, and the people who work here.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?
Something beautiful for people to enjoy.
Laura Jones’ painting of the shop from her exhibition DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, from November 2021 or any of her beautiful paintings of Australian native flowers perhaps.
Whom do you secretly admire?
Recently I went overseas and it made me really appreciate Australian florists—and Sydney florists—and it made me realise how amazing our industry is over here. We all push each other to try new things and work to a really high standard.
Sydney has the best flower scene in the world and is especially unique with florists here using more and more beautiful native Australian flowers.
Wonderland!
In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour or habit has most improved your life?
When I started the shop almost four years ago, I decided to put my head down and work really hard. That commitment made me realise I love seeing work and life as not being separate.
Most people spend most of their day/ week/ life working so I think it’s important to love what you do and incorporate the two nicely. Work is enjoyable for me and not seeing a separation of the two has been really nice. I really enjoy my daily and weekly routine.
What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
I try to promote Australian native flowers though the shop. I notice many misconceptions of native Australian flowers. I find that a lot of people think of Australian native flowers as dried out dusty brown banksia that has sat in vase for a year or two!
Australian native flowers come in an amazing range of unique colours and textures. There are delicate flowers such as Mulla Mulla, Paper Daisies, Sturt desert peas and Flannel Flowers and chunky sculptural banksia branches, waratahs and giant Gymea lilies. To name a few!
Its been great to educate and surprise our customers on Australian native flowers.
What time of the day do you feel the most energetic and what do you usually do in those moments?
After a trip to the flower markets in the early morning. You have to be at 10+ flower stalls at once right on 5am to get the best flowers / produce. This always wakes me up and is a great way to start the day.
Bess, in her natural habitat
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?
Just start whatever it is I need to do, and once I’ve started in any way, I normally feel better and realise that maybe it’s not as overwhelming as I thought.
What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?
I actually love getting up at 4am to go to the flower markets most days of the week!