Mulgrave Alumni Spotlight: Kaitlin Wu

A L U M N I

NO 1

2018

M ULG R AV E .COM/COM M U NIT Y/A LUM N I

S P O T L I G H T

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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.

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B L O O M A S S E M B LY. C O M

K A I T L I N O N H E R W E D D I N G D AY.

What do you do? What is Bloom Assembly?

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

I am the founder and project manager of Bloom

Assembly?

Assembly, a floral arranging studio based in Vancouver that specializes in weddings and events.

I’ve always envisioned starting my own business and thought I needed some work experience in an

If you could speak to those wishing to start a

office to learn the dos and don’ts and to build a

business, what is the most important advice you

professional network. After a few years of

could give?

experience and relationship-building, I decided to take the leap!

To go ahead and do it! Several people are too intimidated to start a business even if they are

What were the biggest obstacles you faced in

confident in their idea. The truth is that I learned

starting Bloom?

the details of starting a business when I was launching Bloom Assembly. One piece of advice

A limited knowledge of the industry! I had the drive

would be to remember that the success of your

to start a business but needed to educate myself on

business isn’t a direct reflection of your own value

ordering through wholesale suppliers, the proper

or worth. In order to make the tough decisions

way to store inventory, and what pricing structures

there needs to be a separation from you and your

to implement in order to make a profit.

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.

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Are there any experiences or lessons from your

how they got to where they are today, so I suggest

time at Mulgrave that you still carry with you?

to learn as much as you can from different people’s experiences to equip you with as much knowledge

Yes, definitely! Mulgrave shaped me and assisted in

and wisdom as possible.

refining skills that allowed me to start a business.

My involvement in basketball at Mulgrave taught

Although starting a business may not be as far out

me several important lessons and made me who I

of reach as one may think, it does certainly push us

am today. My basketball coach, Mr. Leduc, instilled

to our limits. We are so glad to see another Mulgra-

confidence in me and the drive to do anything, even

vian pursuing their passion in an entrepreneurial

if I didn’t think I could. This lesson is something

manner. We wish the best of luck to Kaitlin in

that has guided me through my career and

her endeavours.

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

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