A L U M N I
NO 1
2018
M ULG R AV E .COM/COM M U NIT Y/A LUM N I
S P O T L I G H T
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KAITLIN WU Class of 2010 Interviewed by Cam Henderson | June 2018
It’s no easy task to become an entrepreneur, and taking on such an endeavour can be time consuming and requires mental fortitude. Yet, Kaitin Wu, formerly Kaitlin Cyr, has done just that with the floral studio she has co-founded with her sister-in-law, Bloom Assembly. What sets Bloom apart from other floral studios and companies is its devotion to each and every client. Kaitlin has focused on creating the best experience for each client by keeping her team small and business timeline focused. But it has not all come from nothing. We took the opportunity to sit down with Kaitlin, and she gracefully shared her wisdom and experience so far as a business owner and Mulgrave alum.
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B L O O M A S S E M B LY. C O M
K A I T L I N O N H E R W E D D I N G D AY.
What do you do? What is Bloom Assembly?
What led you to take the leap from a full-time position with Whitecaps FC to start Bloom
I am the founder and project manager of Bloom
Assembly?
Assembly, a floral arranging studio based in Vancouver that specializes in weddings and events.
I’ve always envisioned starting my own business and thought I needed some work experience in an
If you could speak to those wishing to start a
office to learn the dos and don’ts and to build a
business, what is the most important advice you
professional network. After a few years of
could give?
experience and relationship-building, I decided to take the leap!
To go ahead and do it! Several people are too intimidated to start a business even if they are
What were the biggest obstacles you faced in
confident in their idea. The truth is that I learned
starting Bloom?
the details of starting a business when I was launching Bloom Assembly. One piece of advice
A limited knowledge of the industry! I had the drive
would be to remember that the success of your
to start a business but needed to educate myself on
business isn’t a direct reflection of your own value
ordering through wholesale suppliers, the proper
or worth. In order to make the tough decisions
way to store inventory, and what pricing structures
there needs to be a separation from you and your
to implement in order to make a profit.
business. Make sure to keep that separation so your decision-making process can be logical and not dependant on a personal affinity for your business.
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Are there any experiences or lessons from your
how they got to where they are today, so I suggest
time at Mulgrave that you still carry with you?
to learn as much as you can from different people’s experiences to equip you with as much knowledge
Yes, definitely! Mulgrave shaped me and assisted in
and wisdom as possible.
refining skills that allowed me to start a business. My involvement in basketball at Mulgrave taught
Although starting a business may not be as far out
me several important lessons and made me who I
of reach as one may think, it does certainly push us
am today. My basketball coach, Mr. Leduc, instilled
to our limits. We are so glad to see another Mulgra-
confidence in me and the drive to do anything, even
vian pursuing their passion in an entrepreneurial
if I didn’t think I could. This lesson is something
manner. We wish the best of luck to Kaitlin in
that has guided me through my career and
her endeavours.
personal life: not to wait to get a seat at the table but to demand a seat at the table! How important are the relationships you make with people, professional or otherwise? Extremely important! To build a network you need to invest time in building relationships both personally and professionally. Strategic relationship building is definitely something I would recommend. Successful people usually enjoy discussing
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