CASSIE METCALFE

florist

A couple of years ago, I realised I didn’t want to spend my days sitting at a desk anymore, so I left my visual merchandising job to do a Certificate III in floristry. I now have a shop out in Mount Evelyn in Melbourne’s east, but also have an events and corporate side to the business.

My usual routine is to pick up the shop’s flowers from the local growers and wholesalers by 7am, open the store at 9am, then hopefully get out by 6pm – but it’s often later. Monday and Wednesday nights are for picking up the wedding flowers, though – we drive to the flower markets between 1 and 7am. I usually go super-early to get the goodies. I try to have a few hours of sleep before jumping in the van and heading out. It takes just over an hour to get from my house to the market, but my partner lives closer, so if I can manage, I’ll try to stay at his place.

When I wake up at midnight, I make sure I start filling my tummy. Sometimes I’ll make porridge or toast, and other times it’s just two bananas. I’ll always have a long black in hand, though. Then it’s a matter of getting in the car, winding the windows down, and playing something upbeat like Beyoncé or Alicia Keys to wake me up.

The market is held at a huge indoor centre with fridges and trucks backed up behind the stalls. Flowers are cut on farms through the day and night, so when you get there early, you’re making sure the blooms you pick up are as fresh as possible. It’s first in, best dressed, basically. You walk around with huge trolleys and just pile up while you’re browsing. It’s nice because everyone’s up early, doing the same thing. Some people can be disgruntled, though, blaming the growers if they don't get what they ordered – they’re mostly on edge and snappy because they’re tired.

I try to get out of there within two hours – usually between 3.30 and 4.30am. There’s something nice about being on the road and seeing the sunrise. It’s alone time to think and plan. There aren’t many people driving at that time, but when I do see someone, I just want to give them a little wave and say, “Yay! We’re doing this!” Usually I go straight back to the shop in Mount Evelyn, and depending on the day’s schedule, either stay there or nick home for a nap.

It can be hard to get back into a normal routine after a market trip, but I try to make sure I sleep eight hours the night after and push through. I never get used to it, but I get on with it. It’s worth it, because I’m contributing to someone’s wedding day or special event.