Team : a group of people who come together to achieve a common goal
A team is important. A team that works together keeps the vision moving.
No two members are the same, but they are of equal importance and worth. Mother Teresa once said “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”
Because we work together to reach a common goal, help each other be successful, and ultimately have a successful business; this isn't just a staff, it is a team.
In the last few months our team has grown, and we want you to meet them.
Lauren Barrington
Owner/Designer + The Queen of all things floral
Lauren is the creator and mastermind behind Sweet Stems Flower Bar. She is married to her high school sweetheart Adam, and a dog mom of two (who you can sometimes find in the shop with her). She is an antique picker, a gardener and a seamstress. She loves the gift that nature brings and bringing that beauty alive in her work. Lauren gained her love of flowers from her Mamar, who taught her to “adopt the pace of nature” and that wherever life plants you, to bloom with grace. She spent a lot of her childhood with her Mamar, gleaning from her knowledge and passion for flora. On her off time you can find Lauren remodeling her farmhouse, at a concert, or out in the woods foraging for unique treasures to use in the house or shop.
Lauren was asked, “If you could travel any where in the world where would it be + why?” and she said: “If I could vacation anywhere in the world it would be Ireland. I love the cobblestone streets, the inspiring culture, and the charm of places that haven’t been touched.
If you need me you can
find me where the wild things are.”
Kellie Garrett
Designer + The Queen of Visual Merchandising
Kellie loves to garden, knit and spend time with her family. She has a 29 year old son named Geoffery, and has been married to her husband Jon for 30 years. She enjoys her job as a floral designer and has been with Sweet Stems for a little over a year. She has had a love for flowers since she was a child. She ran a small flower business called Cottage flowers for a few years, and her love of flowers grew even more. Kellie and her family lived in a busy city for a while, but when
they got the chance they moved to the a small town of Franklin in the beautiful mountains and loves it!
Kellie was asked, “If you could be a day of the week, which one would you be + why?” and she said: “If I could be a day of the week, I would choose Sunday because it’s beautiful for the soul.”
Patience Izquierdo
Designer + The Queen of Flower Crowns
Patience is 21, married, a wildflower, an old soul, and a banjo player. She loves the
smell of the earth, the sight of trees, and the sound of good music. Patience says she is anything but graceful, and a little weird at times, but she likes it that way. She is from Gainesville, GA but moved to the mountains of North Carolina, fell in love, and has made her home in Franklin. She originally started out doing massage therapy, but quickly gave that up to pursue her first love, flowers. When she has some time off, some of her favorite things to do are hang with her husband, play board games, and play music.
Patience was asked “what is your spirit animal, and why?” and she said:
“I asked a lot of people what they thought my spirit animal was, and got miniature donkey, bee, sloth, unicorn, and a dolphin. So I’ll just let you know I’m a type 9 on the Enneagram scale [The Peacemaker] and leave it at that.”
Brooke Johnston
Lauren's Right Hand + The Queen of Organization + Social Media
Brooke is a Pastor's wife, mom, and blogger. She has been married to her husband Britton since March of 2016 and they are the parents of one, but currently on the path to become foster parents. She is an introvert with strong extrovert tendencies. Brooke enjoys discipleship, crafting/creating, and writing. When she isn’t running the Sweet Stems social media, she spends time with her family. Also, Brooke is the main writer on their family blog (JustTheJohnstons.com), and has a side business making baby accessories.
Brooke was asked “what are your two favorite smells?” and she said: “That would definitely have to be my husbands cologne and baby girl after bath time.”
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