Kaitlyn Wu

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.

What do you do? What is Bloom Assembly?

I am the founder and project manager of Bloom Assembly, a floral arranging studio based in Vancouver that specializes in weddings and events.

If you could speak to those wishing to start a business, what is the most important advice you could give?

To go ahead and do it! Several people are too intimidated to start a business even if they are confident in their idea. The truth is that I learned the details of starting a business when I was launching Bloom Assembly. One piece of advice would be to remember that the success of your business isn’t a direct reflection of your own value or worth. In order to make the tough decisions there needs to be a separation from you and your

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.

What led you to take the leap from a full-time position with Whitecaps FC to start Bloom Assembly?

I’ve always envisioned starting my own business and thought I needed some work experience in an office to learn the dos and don’ts and to build a professional network. After a few years of experience and relationship-building, I decided to take the leap!

What were the biggest obstacles you faced in starting Bloom?

A limited knowledge of the industry! I had the drive to start a business but needed to educate myself on ordering through wholesale suppliers, the proper way to store inventory, and what pricing structures to implement in order to make a profit.

Are there any experiences or lessons from your time at Mulgrave that you still carry with you?

Yes, definitely! Mulgrave shaped me and assisted in refining skills that allowed me to start a business. My involvement in basketball at Mulgrave taught me several important lessons and made me who I am today. My basketball coach, Mr. Leduc, instilled confidence in me and the drive to do anything, even if I didn’t think I could. This lesson is something that has guided me through my career and 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 how they got to where they are today, so I suggest to learn as much as you can from different people’s experiences to equip you with as much knowledge and wisdom as possible.