Meet Karlee Smith, the creative mind behind a flourishing home-based florist called Country in Bloom. Based in the Okanagan, Karlee specializes in crafting everyday/occasion arrangements, wedding & event flowers, and also hosts workshops on seasonal fresh designs. Each week she brings in a fresh palate of flowers to work with, ensuring she always has something captivating to offer her customers. "I love to work within a budget and strive to bring the luxury of flowers to everyone," Karlee gleams. Her pursuit is to make flowers not just an exclusive luxury but a day-to-day joy that everyone can partake in.
Her journey into this business started with the desire to spend more quality time with her baby boy. Karlee began with a humble holiday pop-up showcasing fresh florals and home decor. This venture soon bloomed into a small storefront in Edmonton. However, her roots would eventually pull her back to Okanagan, trading her physical store for an online platform. "The giftware side of things is mostly based in Alberta and my focus here is fresh flowers," she explains.
Moving to a completely new community posed a significant challenge for Karlee. To overcome this transition, she choose to swim, pushing forward to expand her network within her new local community. Today, Karlee is an active member of the Okanagan business excellence group, connecting and building relationships with likeminded individuals.
Looking ahead, Karlee is stoked for the fresh start and to place her main focus on flowers, events and workshops. She’s eager to approach her business in Okanagan in a dissimilar way than she did in Sherwood park. When asked to encapsulate her business philosophy in one word — it’s Commitment. To show up relentlessly. Both, for herself and her customers!
Amidst the commercial and professional endeavors, Karlee is also a mother of two boys, with whom she relishes spending time at Paynters, a local market and orchard. "I absolutely love spending time there browsing the market, walking the orchard and having ice cream with my sons," she beams.
Drawn by the enchanting nature, Karlee finds her new home in Kelowna to be a calm detour from her bustling city life in Edmonton. For Karlee, the lake, the hills in the valley, the colours, and the fresh air — make Kelowna a unique and magical place to call home. Nonetheless, being a working mom, she emphasizes the need for more licensed daycare/ childcare facilities in the community.
Beyond her personal and professional life, Karlee has also shown tremendous empathy and generosity towards the people of her community. Each year on Mother's Day, she selects a care home to spread the joy of receiving a single stem flower to each mom who may have been forgotten on the special day. This tradition began in the memory of a dear friend's mother who passed away on Mother's Day 3 years ago.
When asked to recognize a fellow Kelowna business owner for their contributions, Karlee doesn't hesitate to name Carly Simkins, the owner of The Kind Hive natural bees wraps. "She’s so kind and supportive of me. She makes a sustainable product that helps make this world better," Karlee praises.
Through her story, Karlee Smith stands as an inspiring figure who advocates the beauty and luxury of flowers to everyone and her spirits are as charming as the blooms she nurtures so passionately.
