For this edition of ‘In Conversation With’ we chat with Justine Alpen, founder of The Bud Club. Justine specialises in creating unique floral arrangements with inspiration often coming from the morning's flower market offerings resulting in unique and considered results, previously unavailable to Gold Coaster’s. We learn of the design process for the Mermaid Beach studio that combines functional and minimal design and what the journey of growing a business has looked like for Justine. In addition we chat about the joys of being her own boss and the daily rituals that happen outside of work hours.
I just kept moving forward, kept producing flowers, kept saying yes to opportunities even if they scared the hell out of me! I think that mentality of just going for it without judgment on myself has gotten the business to where it is today. Changes are inevitable and encouraged so I can’t wait to see what the next 3 years will bring.
01. In your own words can you tell us what you do?
I create floral arrangements for all different kinds of reasons, welcoming life into the world, the celebration of life, saying I love you, saying I’m sorry and everything in between! Flowers are my medium and I create out of a place of intuition and feeling for these big monumental moments in people's lives. Which I absolutely love being a part of.
02. What does a typical morning look like for you?
They are all so different! I never have and never will be a routine kind of girl (unfortunately for me haha!) I’m either up at 3:00am and heading to the flower markets in Brisbane or down on the beach around 5:00 am sipping my coffee and walking my dog. I’ll then head into the studio and start stripping my flowers and preparing orders for the day.
03. Who makes the best coffee?
Don’t laugh! But you can’t beat a Medium Roast Moccona instant black coffee haha!
04. Since the inception of The Bud Club there has been significant growth, now having a dedicated studio in Mermaid Beach, can you tell us a little about the journey that’s led to where you are now?
Since we opened the studio in October 2021 I was able to start taking on bigger jobs. More space meant more fridges and being able to hold more stock which was an absolute game change for my business and was a much needed upgrade from my tiny garage! I felt like it was the first time my brand had a face and an individual presence to relate to for customers. From here my beautiful neighbour and friend Uma Madan created our first website in August 2022. The website was the next “level up” moment for the business. Representing our studio and brand so perfectly which meant for a much easier and faster check out system for our customers. This is the first time I’ve ever owned and operated a business so getting the foundation set up took time, I didn’t even have a website for almost 2 years haha! Regardless I just kept moving forward, kept producing flowers, kept saying yes to opportunities even if they scared the hell out of me! I think that mentality of just
going for it without judgement on myself has gotten the business to where it is today. Changes are inevitable and encouraged so I can’t wait to see what the next 3 years will bring.
05. What has the greatest learning experience been from establishing The Bud Club & what have you enjoyed most?
The part I enjoy most is being my own boss! Which has also been the biggest learning experience. Creating a work life balance that I’ve always dreamt of is by far the most enjoyable and rewarding part.
06. Is there anything you are currently working on or towards?
I’m currently working on growing my first baby which not surprisingly takes up a lot of your energy. But I am loving every minute of it! Creating flowers and going about my normal working day whilst I can feel my baby kicking is something truly magical and I can not wait to show my Bub everything I have created.
07. You’ve created such a beautiful, minimalistic space. Is this a reflection of your own interior style?
I designed this space purely off what was going to work best for me as a florist and as an events space. I designed everything from the measurements of the table to suit my standing height and big open sink to fit my buckets. I wanted a space designed specifically to make my working day as comfortable and practical as possible.
I loved the idea of hiding all of the “clutter” buckets, fridges ect out of sight behind a custom made sliding door that leads into a closed back room. The design I have for my first home is something completely different which you will have to keep an eye out for
08. Favourite object or piece of furniture you own & why?
I guess it’s not furniture BUT my custom made sliding door with Gucci wallpaper has to be my favourite piece in my studio. I love the fact that it looks like a piece of art framed on the back wall.
09. If you weren’t living on the Gold Coast, where would you live & why?
Ohh this is hard! There’s so many places I would love to call home! Fiji, New Zealand, Japan! The list goes on and on but at the end of the day I think i would always choose the Gold Coast as home. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful slice of the world.
10. Where are you currently looking to or finding inspiration?
I always find inspiration in the flowers. I rarely know what I’m going to create until I am at the market looking at all of the fresh produce. It could be a flower or a colour that sparks my creativity and sets the mood for the week.
11. Favourite way to unwind at the end of the day, any favourite rituals?
A big cuddle with my puppy Ray Ray I swear when cuddle Ray every worry in the world disappears. I then take a stroll down to Heven-yah Gelato in mermaid beach with my man and Ray to unwind over some gelato.
https://www.thebudclub.store/
https://www.instagram.com/budclubflowers/?hl=en
