‘I know you have my back’: Los Angeles business owner focuses on quality of life

Employers’ general attitude toward workers seems to be focused on squeezing blood out of the proverbial turnip for anything other than the bottom line.

Franklin Park resident Stephanie Kirby is making quite a few changes to her Los Angeles business, Blue Daisy Floral Design.

“It really impacts quality of life and making sure everyone is happy and wants to go to work,” she said. “I hope that’s an idea that comes to fruition.”

That’s why she’s happy to share the details of what she calls her family-first business model. The basis for this is that she avoids having one person solely responsible for all aspects of the operation. She likened the division of responsibilities at Blue Daisy to a Venn diagram of overlapping circles.

“Everyone knows to some extent what other people are doing, so you can step away from it and take a day off. Plus, if someone texts you or calls you on your day off, you can’t do it.” It doesn’t feel like it, because you’re the only one who knows how to do that,” Kirby said.

“We really try to balance each other out that way, and everyone’s been very accommodating and accepting of it. I might be able to take your shift here.” Well, I know you’ll protect me next time.”

All four full-time employees are women.

“We live life at different levels. Some of us have small children. Some of us have adult children. Some of us have children. Some people don’t have one,” she reported. “And it’s not just about taking care of our kids all the time. We’re also looking out for our parents, and even our own mental health, so we can take time off with peace of mind and say, ‘You know what?’ You may need to be able to say it. You have to look after yourself. ”

The Kirby daughters (Ruby, 8, and Leah, 5) often spend time at Blue Daisy, but Stephanie also grew up at the family-run Lenhart Tire and Auto in North Huntingdon. The service was doing the same thing. Her father, Ken, was her third generation owner until his retirement, and now her brother, Nick, is in charge.

Their mother, Anna, was in the back office paying the bills. Stephanie learned the concept of alphabetical order at a young age while helping with billing.

“My mother made me work early, probably so I wouldn’t pester her, which is what I do now with my children,” she said with a laugh. “But she paid me money, so I understood that I equated work with money. And I always went to work with them, so more than all my friends. I had money first, so I didn’t have to ask my mom for money when I went to the mall.

At the age of 16, she started working at a garden center with a florist. After she graduated from Penn-Trafford High School, she entered college majoring in social work, but decided to change her direction.

“I spent years at a garden center and really loved it. So I transferred to Penn State to get a degree in horticulture,” said the graduate, who studied business with a minor. Told.

She left University Park for a job in the Philadelphia suburbs and spent her free time “journaling business plans.” I knew she was starting something of her own. ”

She returned to Pittsburgh, married Patrick Kirby, rented a studio on Perry Highway to specialize in flowers for weddings and other events, and eventually needed more space. .

That led her to a building on the corner of Ross Township, where Rochester and Wraith Run roads meet.

“We signed a lease to move in here at the beginning of 2020. March 1, 2020 is the start date of the lease,” she recalled.

Of course, once the COVID-19 pandemic started, everything shut down within a few weeks.

“We obviously weren’t doing that because all the weddings and events were canceled, so we just started doing retail flower delivery and pickup,” she said. She “quickly learned the amazing impact that everyday flowers can have on people.”

For example, she mentioned a woman who received a bouquet of flowers shortly after she was diagnosed with cancer.

“She wrote me a big, long email about how great they were and how they made her day. It was a very fulfilling day for my son as well,” Kirby reported. “That really stuck with me. Weddings and events might have that effect, too, but it’s very different.”

For retail manager Kathleen Tessaro, employment at Blue Daisy is very different.

“I’ve worked at various facilities in the city of Pittsburgh, and I’m proud to say that this is the best organized and has an amazing work atmosphere,” she said. “Stephanie’s horticultural background is invaluable.”

The feeling is mutual.

“She’s so good at making sure the flowers are of the absolute highest quality. We’re so obsessed with it,” Kirby said of Tessaro. “We couldn’t do what we’re doing here without this team. They’re phenomenal.”

The Blue Daisy’s blog provides all things floral information: thebluedaisyfloral.com/floral-news.