Kerry’s the best in Wales
A FLORIST from Abercynon has been named the best in Wales.
Kerry DeCaux, owner of The Bloom Studio, picked up the accolade at the Welsh Independent Retail Awards.
AN ABERCYNON florist has been named the best in Wales after deciding to change job and follow her dreams when her husband fell ill.
Kerry DeCaux, owner of The Bloom Studio, has received the award for Florist of the Year 2017 in the first-ever Welsh Independent Retail Awards.
Fighting off more than 20 businesses shortlisted for the title, the award was presented at a ceremony in Portland House in Cardiff on October 26.
Opened five years ago, The Bloom Studio was first started after Kerry decided to switch careers when her husband Anthony fell seriously ill.
Inspired to change her lifestyle and follow her dreams, the former recruitment consultant and prison worker now serves customers across the country with her tailored floral arrangements.
Kerry, 39, said: “I nearly lost my husband five years ago when he was really sick.
“He just wanted me to do something positive that made me smile.”
After moving to Wales from Kent, the mother-ofone first started attending floristry courses to meet new people while Anthony was working away.
She said: “I moved to Cardiff when I met Anthony and just started going to courses because I was on my own. I’ve always been a bit crafty and creative and it was the only one that was available.
“I just loved it and did another course and another course.
“Floristry is a struggling trade – you have to be quite special, but it’s a cracking job.
“It’s hard work but we want to keep the industry going.”
Working with online service Direct2Florist, Kerry now delivers flowers across the UK as well as providing flowers for weddings and other occasions.
She is now working to open a second shop in Cardiff at the end of the year.
Speaking about her award, Kerry said: “I’m really really pleased. It was quite overwhelming for this to happen, I’ve never won an award before.
“I love what I do, so to be recognised for it is really exciting.
“I like to do something special and a bit different as it’s important to deliver something you don’t get in the supermarket.”