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CAFRE

Siobhan Mone – CAFRE Alumni

Siobhan Mone (nee Hughes) reflects on her experiences at CAFRE and her career since she graduated. Siobhan is from Crossmaglen and graduated from Greenmount Campus, CAFRE in 2010.

What course did you study at CAFRE?

I completed a Level 3 National Certificate in Floristry at CAFRE about 10 years ago. I cannot believe where the time has gone! The course lasted for one year and was highly practical and industry-focused which provided me with lots of valuable technical and transferable skills. 

Why did you choose to study at CAFRE?

From the age of 13, I worked part-time in George Preston’s florist in Newry alongside a florist who had also studied Floristry at Greenmount. She spoke very highly of the CAFRE course and the tutors and I thought it sounded like something I would like to do.  At that time, I was completing my A Levels and I was set on the path to study Communication, Advertising and Marketing and followed that path. I was about to start a job in that field after graduation but I kept thinking about CAFRE and the floristry programme. I had continued to work in Preston’s Florist whilst I was at studying so I had the work experience necessary to starting the course and given it was only a year I decided to complete the course at Greenmount to help me make a decision on the path that was going to be best for me. This was definitely the right choice and it has influenced my life since then in so many ways.

What is your fondest memory of your time at CAFRE?

I loved my whole experience at CAFRE – the invaluable skills I learned, the teachers and my classmates that I had the opportunity to work with. Some of my best experiences during my time at CAFRE came through entering competitions and I won the local heats for The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012 which earned me a place in the final. I was the third CAFRE student to get through to the Chelsea Flower Show and the first student to take home a medal (bronze) in 2012 for my “chandelier design”. I gained a second Chelsea medal in 2013 – this time a silver for my “never ending circle” design.

What did you do after graduating from CAFRE?

My qualification combined with the industry contacts I made through CAFRE combined with my competition work provided me with an opportunity to move to London and work for a CAFRE graduate, Neill Strain, in his prestigious flower shop “Neill Strain Floral Couture”, in Belgravia London. I loved London and the job and with Neill’s support and encouragement, I worked up to the position of Assistant Manager. I had the pleasure of working for some of the most amazing high-end customers. Working in London was such an amazing and unforgettable experience.

Tell me about your current job?

When I came back from London, I settled into family life and I continued to work in floristry this time with James Bernard and “Churchview Flowers”.

After years of working for amazing florists, I decided it was time to take the plunge fulfil my dream. I opened my own business in my hometown of Crossmaglen, which I have called ‘Fleur n Bloom’. My qualifications in both Floristry and Communications, Advertising and Marketing have never come in as useful as they are now.  With a growing family, the flexibility of being self-employed is fantastic and I am thoroughly enjoying my work.

 Do you have a typical working day?

No day is the same, which I love. I cater for weddings, I have a contract with my local funeral director and I create designs for the general day-to-day birthday, new baby and gift arrangements and bouquets.  I also create many individually bespoke door wreaths, which is a big trend at the minute and I have posted my wreaths to customers all over Ireland.

What is the greatest challenge of your job?

There is a few. Having two small boys and trying to run a very busy new business is probably the greatest challenge but thankfully my husband and family are great. Like all businesses, COVID has had a huge impact in relation to pricing of flowers but thankfully, it seems to be settling now. The pandemic has also had a big impact on weddings due to brides having to change their dates and we are now in the process of trying to accommodate everyone and reschedule dates. On the up side, the remainder of 2021, 2022 and 2023 are shaping up to be very busy which is excellent.

What advice would you give a school leaver considering study at CAFRE?

Go for it, it is the best decision I have ever made – my experiences of CAFRE were brilliant. I would highly recommend studying at CAFRE to anyone with the interest in floristry. It is true what they say, “choose a job you love and you will never work another day in your life”! There are so many opportunities available to students and I would encourage students to grasp them when they can.