Living and working among plants

Maikel Vlaeminck coordinates the reception service. But apparently that is not enough, because after his hours he does odd jobs in a garden centre. How the two jobs cross-pollinate, he explains in this article.

“As a child, I already had green fingers. My mum often tells the anecdote about how I used to pull roots out of the ground at my grandparents’ house to see how big they were. Only to sneakily put them back into the earth. By now I know that makes no sense. (laughs)

It was no surprise to anyone that I chose Horticulture School. Then I got a professional bachelor’s degree in Agro- and Biotechnology. Meanwhile, I did some holiday jobs at Floréac and also did my internship here. In fact, I never left.

I have been working here for nine years and cannot imagine a better place to work. At Floréac, you get every opportunity to grow. For instance, I started as a logistics worker in the reception department and have been managing that department for two years. I also work in the Customer service department. Among other things, I am there to triage the inbox, check complaints and also follow them up.

Even after working hours, I find myself with my nose among the plants. After all, I do odd jobs at a garden centre. For them, my expertise is a great asset. I really enjoy doing that, giving customers advice. About the optimum location for the plant, for example, but also about nutrition, the best way to prune the plant and so on.

Conversely, I gain many insights here that help in my job at Floréac. Through my side activities, I experience what is going on in the next link of the circuit. I set the bar even higher now because I know how critical consumers are. You won’t sell a plant that doesn’t look top-notch.

The Christmas period is approaching and then it is especially busy in the decoration department. Something different again. That variety makes the work fascinating. But what gives me the most satisfaction? Discovering how plants evolve through the seasons. Realising that you have a piece of luck in your hands. Because those plants not only make me happy, but so many others too. That’s what I do it for.”