Born and raised in her parents’ flower shop, Brenda Snyder always knew someday she would be a floral designer. “I remember loving to look at the flowers, all the bouquets that the employees made and the smell of the shop,” she says.
Today she appreciates the range of services provided daily from the family’s shop she now owns. “You start by helping a couple sending flowers for the birth of a new grandbaby to then helping a family create arrangements for a loved one’s funeral, and then help a husband send flowers to his wife for no reason at all, which I think is the best reason.”
Name: Brenda Snyder.
Residence neighborhood: Vancouver Heights.
Business name: Garside Florist, Inc., 6610 E. Mill Plain Blvd., 360-694-3331, www.garsideflorist.com.
Age: 46.
Educational/professional background: I was born and raised in the flower shop and graduated from Fort Vancouver High School. Go Trappers!
How you got started in your business: For as long as I can remember I knew I wanted to be a floral designer. I pretty much grew up in the floral industry. My parents, Del and Sharon Swanson, bought Garside Florist in 1965. I was born in 1968 and have never left the shop. I remember we would always stop by the shop on our way home from church when I was little. My sister, brother and I would “play store” or take naps on the cots in the back room. I remember loving to look at the flowers, all the bouquets that the employees made and the smell of the shop. As soon as I was old enough, probably middle school, I would come in to work. I was taught how to design by two of my dad’s employees: Gail Gibson and Colleen Morgan. Gail still works at Garside and Colleen stops by to check in with us. I remember thinking that they were amazing designers and that I wanted to do the same. My parents decided to sell the business after 41 years, and my husband and I bought it at that time. We both work there and have owned it for 11 years. I’m hoping that our daughters Izabella and Gillian will want to follow in my footsteps some day.
Personal/business philosophy: Personal: Live the life you love. Business: Provide quality customer service, promote local product and support small business.
Most rewarding part of job: When customers say, “Just make me up something nice,” or “Do what you do best; you’re the designer,” and then I bring them out the arrangement and they love it.
Most challenging part of job: It can be a roller coaster of emotions throughout the day. You start by helping a couple sending flowers for the birth of a new grandbaby to then helping a family create arrangements for a loved one’s funeral, and then help a husband send flowers to his wife for no reason at all, which I think is the best reason. Then add in our daughters and their sports and social life, family time. It’s a crazy yet organized life.
What is one thing readers might find surprising about your work? For all the beauty I get to work with every day that God’s created, it can be a very dirty job. Especially at Christmas. I go home from work and find pine needles, pitch and glitter everywhere.
What is one thing you’d like people to know about your work? We make and deliver all of our own arrangements. We can get flowers delivered almost anywhere in the world.
Best feature of my Clark County community: I love the Heights area where we live. It still has that old Vancouver neighborhood feel with people living and supporting their neighborhood businesses, schools, parks, etc. We need more of that in Vancouver.
What would make your community a better place? People supporting small business by shopping local and skipping the national websites and 800 numbers.
Favorite restaurant/pub/coffee shop/store: I recently went to Bleu Door, and it was amazing. I love desserts and pastries.
What is your favorite travel destination and type (cruise, car trip, train?) Anywhere warm … California, Mexico, Hawaii.
Hobbies: I love running. I’ve started to play golf. Watching my girls play sports. Camping with my family and friends. Family movie night and traveling with my husband and girls.
Most enjoyable book/play/movie/arts event in past 12 months: I attended a PaintNite a few weeks ago and loved it! I also love the show “Once Upon a Time.”
Something you’d like to do within five years: Travel to Italy with my family.
One word to describe yourself: Creative.
Person you’d most like to meet: Michelle Pfeiffer.
