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Meet Esther Ammeter, our Winnipeg Branch Manager. As Branch Manager, Esther oversees the operations at our central location that serves our customers in Manitoba and eastern Canada. She started her career at Florists Supply in Winnipeg 20 years ago, moving up the ranks to become the manager we know and love today!
FS: How did you get started at Florists Supply?
Esther: I have been in the floral industry since 1980, and November 2020 will be my 20 year Anniversary at Florists Supply. I started my floral “career” at Christie’s Greens working with Sherrie Cameron, went on to work at The Orchid (primarily at the Winnipeg Square store), and then on to E. Macyk Florist in Southdale. After 20 years in flower shops, I decided that I would like to try the wholesale side of the floral industry and called Sherrie Cameron, Florists Supply’s Winnipeg Cut Flower Department Manager at the time. I was hired as a Cut Flowers Customer Service Representative (CSR), where I serviced a portfolio of customers for 15 years. A position then became available in the Supply Department, so I made the move to the land of permanent botanicals. Roger Vandale, Supply Manager at the time, decided shortly after that he would retire, so I took over his role. I was promoted to Branch Manager in Winnipeg just over a year ago.
FS: What is your favourite thing about the floral industry?
Esther: I LOVE FLOWERS – it is my life. It is truly amazing to be part of an industry that brings so much beauty and joy to people. What other job can say that they do that ? Well except maybe potato chip manufacturers/distributors….potato chips are my other passion!
FS: What are some of your favourite things to do in MB?
Esther: I love warm weather, and I hate cold weather. In the warmer months, I enjoy working in my garden, going to our beautiful beaches, and spending time with my family in my hometown of Starbuck. During the cooler season, I do “home decorating” (adding layer upon layer of paint to the walls of our home), baking, crafting, and again, spending time with my family. Year round I love to cuddle with my two kitten furbabies, Willy and Maggie! Oh, and, year round I like to “hang out” with my hubby Blair!
FS: What do you foresee being a popular floral trend for mid-late 2020
Esther: I think that dried materials mixed with fresh and permanent botanicals are going to be popular for both events and home décor. The dried materials will be popular in all forms: natural, bleached and tinted. Pretty cool considering that when I started in the industry in the 80’s dried materials were super “hot” (wish I had saved my pampas grass!).
FS: What’s your favourite flower/permanent botanical/supply item?
Esther: My favorite fresh flowers are orchids, all kinds of orchids. My favorite permanent botanical is our Philodendron Red Prince Tree (28-0LPP069-GR). My favorite supply item from our 2020 Spring and Everyday Collection is our Dolomite Cat Face Pot (41-00A9156-WH)
FS: What’s one thing you’d love to see more of in the industry?
Esther: I would love to see more floral/horticulture education for youth and young adults. We need to “cultivate” the next generation on how important the industry is.