Soft Power: Rachael Cullen on the power of the pivot

Hello and thanks for being here! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hey! My name is Rachael. If I was to describe myself in three words they would be energetic, passionate and protective!

I reside in a cute lil miners cottage in Islington with my fiance, Ray, we have an American Staffy fur baby, Carrie, a human baby is baking (due Christmas) and I am the owner of Botanica Bird :)

I am a true creative cancerian and I like to think the magpie is my spirit animal haha.

We're living in truly strange times, how has COVID affected what you do?

Pre-COVID-19 I had a thriving wedding florist business, Botanica Bird. Like so many businesses in this pandemic, I lost the core foundations. But not only that, I had wrapped my identity around my business so the loss was overwhelming. The mental load was unexpected as anxiety and stress is a constant rotation. This business that I poured so much of myself, literal blood, sweat and tears over the last 5 years had been put on pause. 

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom. Putting a pause on weddings and events led me down the path of exploring flower deliveries. And I have surprisingly fallen in love with this sector of floristry. To the point that now my business, Botanica Bird, primarily focuses is flower deliveries!

Lockdowns suck (necessary, but not fun!), how have you found power in what sometimes feels like a powerless situation? 

I have found power in establishing a morning routine. Being a florist in the wedding industry pre-COVID, I found it hard to have a form of routine (it’s a lot of early mornings, late nights and long hours - no day is the same). Establishing a morning routine of rising early, quick tidy of the house, pilates/yoga class and sitting down for a coffee set me up for a productive day. I found motivation within this routine to keep me going even on the down days.

Have you learnt any lessons or picked up any little rituals you'll take with you out of lockdown? 

I’ve learnt so many lessons during the pandemic. Lockdown made me realise I never switched off my business brain (but does any small business owner??). It also made me realise how much my business played a part in my identity. I've since established boundaries so I have a healthy work/life balance. 

Lockdown has also reinforced how much I value family, friends and community support.

What are your plans for when we're finally free? 

To continue to build my flower delivery service around Newcastle.

Take a step back from the wedding industry.

Start a family (babe coming Dec)

Spend my weekends with family and friends.

Host more dinner parties.

Explore new places.

Continue to support small businesses - we have a long road of recovery.

Lastly, tell us about some people who inspire you. 

Anyone with a passion for something inspires me. I love talking to people and seeing them beam with excitement over a project, product or idea that motivates them. 

People that have helped me get through lockdown include:

Locally:

@bonesofbirth (I found my Doula during the lockdown via instagram and feel inspired by her in all aspects of my life)

Nationally:

@Plantmama_ / @pasta_mama_ (plants and food, amazing!)

@jessica_nguyen_ (home cook + dinner parties)

@curated_spaces (homewares)

International:

 @thishumidhouse (florist)

@joshandmattdesign (interior design)

@krystalboydpriest (lifestyle)