HER STORY: How I Rebuilt My Life Through Flowers
“Floral design has given me more than just a new career - it’s given me a creative outlet, a community, and a deeper connection to what really matters.”
From Burnout to Bloom: How I Rebuilt My Life Through Flowers
Samantha Coelho – Plantita & Co. Bloom Bar & Studio
I didn’t start my business because I had it all figured out. I started it because I was completely burned out, disconnected from the career I’d spent over a decade building.
Before florals, I worked in the beauty industry for more than ten years — a world that, while creative and fast-paced, slowly began to feel more draining than fulfilling. I grew tired of telling women what was “wrong” with them, or what they needed to “fix.” It no longer felt right. I craved something honest, uplifting, joyful.
That’s when I discovered plants, and eventually florals. What began as a quiet reconnection with nature became a full-on love affair with design. Somewhere in that creative process, I found myself again.
Plantita & Co. was born. The name came from my mother-in-law, who’s Ecuadorian — she always says that adding “ita” to a word is like saying it with love. Plantita felt like the perfect fit: personal, warm, a little playful — everything I hoped this business would become.
I won’t sugarcoat it — building a business while raising two young children was no easy feat. The first four years were a blur of late-night emails, trial and error, and questioning whether I was on the right path.
Now, five years in, things feel different. I’ve learned to delegate. I’ve found the courage to say no. And perhaps most importantly, I’ve carved out more space for myself — to rest, to grow, to simply be. Floral design has given me more than a career; it’s given me a creative outlet, a community, and a deeper connection to what truly matters. Whether it’s a large-scale event, a workshop, or a wedding installation, I strive to infuse a little joy and attention into everything I create.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Have a strong business plan before you start.
Excitement alone isn’t enough. A roadmap, even a flexible one, makes a world of difference.Find your niche — you can’t do it all.
When I started, I tried to offer everything to everyone. Over time, I realized that clarity is everything. Focus on what you do best, and the right audience will find you.If you do something with love, you’ll do it well.
This lesson comes back again and again. When your work comes from a place of genuine care and connection, people feel it. Find what lights you up, and go there.
Floral work may seem like just petals and stems from the outside, but for me, it has been a way to rebuild, reconnect, and root into a life that finally feels like mine.
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Plantita & Co. is a Toronto-based floral design studio reimagining how we experience flowers. Known for immersive floral experiences and large-scale installations, the studio specializes in corporate events, brand activations, and hands-on workshops like the signature Bloom Bar and Plant Bar. With a focus on storytelling and intentional design, every project is crafted to spark connection, evoke emotion, and leave a lasting impression.
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A curated pick from The Petite Collection.
Pockets of Happiness.
Daily inspiration. 365 petite love notes to enjoy the little things.
Pockets of Happiness is a printable collection of 365 short prompts.
One for each day of the year.
Perfect for your own Joy Jar or as a gift for a friend, family, or team, this kit brings daily happiness, one charming note at a time.
Designed to be pulled at random and enjoyed at your own pace. Use it daily or only when you feel like it.
The Details, What You Receive.
A printable PDF with 365 unique prompts, designed in a soft, feminine style with nostalgic touches - divided by 4 seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall).
9 slips per page (print-friendly layout).
“How to Use” instruction page.
Cover page & seasonal dividers.
Hang tags & Label.
Format: PDF | Digital Download
Size: Sized for US Letter (8.5” x 11”) paper — easy to print at home or your local print shop
How To Use.
After purchase, download the PDF file.
Print the pages you’d like on paper or cardstock of your choice.
Cut out the slips — 9 per page.
Place them in a jar, envelope, or a pretty box; whatever feels joyful to you.
Choose a slip each day, or whenever you need a little happiness or inspiration.
Please Note.
This is a digital product — no physical items will be shipped.
For personal use only. Do not resell or redistribute.
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Where to Keep Your Joy Slips.
On a desk, a bookshelf, or a bedside table.
Somewhere they can live alongside the things you already love.
Tucked into a small wooden box, a stack of envelopes, a fabric pouch, or a pretty tray.
Left out in the open or kept neatly together for later.
Some keep them in a glass jar or a simple vase.
Others scatter a few on a table or slip one into a planner or book.
There is no right place.
Just choose somewhere that feels good to reach for.
One petite note at a time.