From Corporate Career to Flower Empire: Kirsty Keegan's Floristry Journey
Sometimes, the career you’re meant to have is the one that never quite leaves you.
For Kirsty Keegan, floristry had been part of her life since she was a little girl. She grew up spending time in a florist shop in Campsie and always dreamed of becoming a florist.
But life took her in a different direction.
She stepped away from floristry to raise her three daughters, then built a successful career in another area of retail. From the outside, everything was going well. But something was missing.
“It never really soothed my soul.”
Eventually, the flowers called her back.
And this time, Kirsty decided to listen.
It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Passion
Returning to floristry after years away wasn’t about starting from scratch. Kirsty already had experience, but she wanted to rebuild her confidence, refresh her skills and reconnect with an industry she had always loved.
Choosing Pearsons was an easy decision.
“I've always admired Pearsons. They've been known to me as leaders in the field since day one in my floristry journey.”
After years away from floristry, Kirsty knew she had to give herself permission to try again.
“When flowers called me back, it made sense to refresh my skills with the best.”
Starting at Pearsons was a special moment.
“I had a real pinch-me moment on day one and felt so lucky to be part of the school.”
And what started as a decision to refresh her skills quickly became something much bigger.
Finding Confidence, Community and New Possibilities
For Kirsty, her time at Pearsons was about much more than learning how to make beautiful flowers.
It gave her the confidence to see what might be possible.
“The teachers are all amazing and so encouraging. They guided me to extend what I already knew to reach new heights.”
Just as importantly, Kirsty found a community.
The friendships she made during her studies have continued well beyond the classroom.
“The classmates I met, who are now friends, have been life-changing.”
She also embraced the wider Pearsons community through enrichment nights, networking opportunities and demonstrations.
“Everyone is just so nice and encouraging.”
It was a reminder that floristry isn’t just one career. There are so many ways to make it your own.
Say Yes, Get Experience and See Where It Takes You
Kirsty made the most of every opportunity that came her way.
She worked with Linda at Twig and Vine, completed work experience at Pearsons and entered the Pink Pizzazz competition, presented in collaboration with the Professional Florist Association.
She also started building her own portfolio, styling a wedding for a friend and freelancing on a classmate’s wedding booking.
One wedding gave her the opportunity to work across a full floral package, including a large arch, reception flowers and personal flowers.
Each experience gave Kirsty another chance to learn, practise and build confidence.
More importantly, she started to see where floristry could take her.
And she kept saying yes.
Sometimes You Have to Create Your Own Opportunity
After completing her course, Kirsty could have looked for a job.
Instead, she created her own opportunity.
“I kind of bought my own job when I purchased the business.”
Kirsty took the leap, left her corporate career behind and bought her own flower shop, Flower Empire.
“I bought my own shop and left my corporate career behind to get back to doing what I love.”
Today, no two days are the same.
From everyday flower orders and workshops to weddings and funeral work, Kirsty gets to experience all sides of the industry.
When asked what she’s most excited about?
“Everything, honestly.”
Her Biggest Lesson? Give It a Go.
Looking back, Kirsty has learned that sometimes you just have to back yourself.
“That you can really do anything you put your mind to.”
Her advice is simple:
“Just do it.”
You don’t need to know exactly where the path will lead. You don’t need to have everything figured out. Sometimes you just need to take the first step, say yes to an opportunity and see what happens next.
“You never know what the next order, task, or person you meet will lead to.”
That mindset has taken Kirsty a long way, from a little girl dreaming of becoming a florist, to a corporate career, back to the classroom, and ultimately to owning her own flower business.
And perhaps that’s the most inspiring part of Kirsty’s story.
It’s okay to change direction.
It’s okay to start again.
It’s okay to find your passion later in life.
And sometimes, the thing you’ve been thinking about doing for years is simply waiting for you to give it a go.
Kirsty’s Advice for Aspiring Florists
For anyone thinking about a career in floristry, Kirsty doesn’t hesitate.
“Just do it.”
“It really is such a rewarding career. It's a skill you'll always have, and one that can take you to so many different places.”
Whether you dream of working in a flower shop, creating weddings and events, freelancing, or eventually owning your own business, floristry can open the door to a career that is creative, practical and uniquely your own.
You never know where giving it a go might take you.
Follow Kirsty’s Floristry Journey
Instagram: @flowerempire
Facebook: @flowerempire
Website: flowerempire.com.au
Ready to Give Floristry a Go?
Kirsty’s story is a reminder that there is no single path into floristry, and no perfect time to start.
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of working with flowers. Maybe you’re looking for a career change. Maybe you simply feel that it’s time to do something that makes you happy.
You don’t have to know exactly where it will take you. You just have to give it a go.
Explore the floristry courses at Pearsons School of Floristry and discover where your creativity could take you.