Meet Stacey Fiant | Owner /Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stacey Fiant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacey, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly I had just lost my job working for a flower shop in Santa Barbara, (the shop had new owners) due to the fact that they “were going a different direction with their floral design” so I went on unemployment- and this was in the beginning of Covid- and one day a friend of mine asked me to make an arrangement for her boss’ wife as it was their anniversary an I said yes- and as I was making this arrangement I decided I would start Blooming Rubys flower shop – and if I failed- at least I tried. Which of course I did not fail, That happened in June of 2020. Five and a half years ago.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I feel that the one thing that has helped me succeed is that I have never lost the mindset of a consumer. In the floral industry you are working with people at the best and worst times of their life. Having a strong sense of customer service and empathy allows me to create floral arrangements that send the message that the customer is trying to convey. Whether it be sympathy, love, cheer, get well wishes or just because, I consider it an honor to be the catalyst to covey this.
Yes, I love designing but mostly I love people. My heart is in the daily orders (and messages) and not as much the event side of it- even though this is where the money is- and though financial success is needed and desired it doesn’t drive me- I absolutely love offering kindness, a hug. or a smile to help improve my customers day- and if they love the arrangements that is an absolute bonus!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I typically work hard, I am a one woman show- so when I have time off it is spent leisurely- I would most likely sit in my backyard and enjoy coffee or tea, walk to lunch at Papa Lennons or Chris Bakes (both are walking distance from home and in the same strip mall as my shop). A day at the beach is always a past time I enjoy. Taking an ebike ride on the trail to Ventura is also something I love to do. I prefer small groups as large groups cause me to be claustrophobic and cause anxiety. Taking a nature walk ( I have Rheumatoid arthritis so a walk is more do able than a hike) up Matilija canyon. Simply enjoying nature and the presence of my friend.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So I named my shop after my late grandmother Ruby (who passed away when I was 12, however she remains the closest family member to my heart). I started out -shortly after a 20 year marriage ended and after I had been a stay at home mom- I ventured out and went back to school and got a degree in Landscape design and a short time later I was working at a nursery,
I always did florals as a hobby and I was given an opportunity to work at a flower shop at the same time as the nursery. Lynn Malone who owned Digs ( a flower shop in Ojai) took a chance on me without any professional experience.
When Lynn retired she sold the shop and I began working for another shop in Ventura (Della is the owner, shop name is The Growing Company) and working for Rock Rose Event florals (Bree and Freddie were the owners) Della got me another job with Mom and Pop flower shop. (Gina and Craig owners) For awhile I worked at all 3 places. Soon after, I was offered a floral manager position with the grocery store Vons. This was not what I expected and I didn’t feel this job fed my soul- I was offered a job in Santa Barbara by Victoria Sjollema at Alpha Floral and this is where I learned the most. Victoria was a 3rd generation florist and had a wealth of knowledge. I learned a lot from all of the shops and event florists I worked for but hands down Victoria gave me what I needed to do my own thing. When Victoria retired, the new owners are who let me go. and the rest is History!

Website: https://www.bloomingrubys.com

Instagram: bloomingrubys

Facebook: Blooming Rubys

Yelp: Blooming Rubys flower shop

Image Credits
One is a picture of me in front of my shop with my employee (who is on maternity leave) her name is Bella Hilderbrand and the second is me with two clients who had me create some beauty for their proposal of marraige.