Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?

I attribute my love of creativity to my Dad. From his life’s work of painting to his passion for furniture woodworking, my appreciation for the arts started early on as it was all around me while growing up. My dream of pursuing the arts took a pause when my family immigrated to Canada in 1977 as the time it took to adjust to this new way of life didn’t afford me much time towards chasing creative pursuits. Following my father’s death after losing his battle to cancer, I was deeply motivated to pick up where he left off. I returned to school and completed a certification program for professional floristry–all while working full-time. I eventually shifted all of my focus towards honing my skills and craft around the art of floristry. To me, being passionate means being unafraid to have big dreams–and daring to follow them. It means being bold enough to believe that I will succeed so long as I work hard, work smart, and surround myself with great people who inspire me. It means to never stop learning. It means looking back at my past experiences and applying all that I’ve learned to tackle each new creative challenge that lies ahead. It is through my passion that has led ROA to become the Vancouver JUNO Awards’ sole floral and design company for nine of their private events. It is through my passion that has led ROA's work to be featured on national live television. It is through my passion that has led ROA to receive countless accolades and recognition from industry peers and floral associations. And it is through my passion that I continue to carry on the legacy that my Dad first started.

Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.

We recognize the heroes in our own backyards. From 2020-2023 during and after the pandemic, as a way to recognize our real heroes–essential healthcare workers–we presented them with fresh bouquets to all workers at 4 nursing homes across the Lower Mainland We help people rebuild and recover. In 2021, following the devastating wildfires that hit Lytton, B.C., we ran a fund drive in support of families who were affected. In 2023 following the success of this drive, we started another drive in support of families affected by the wildfires that hit Kelowna, B.C. We invest in youth, health and wellness. Local foundations that we have been supporting through the years include: CHILD Foundation, Kelty Foundation, Rare Trait Foundation, and BC Epilepsy Foundation.

Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?

It's been said that "flowers are nature's gift of love". For us, each floral bouquet or event experience that we craft is our little way of saying "I love you, I appreciate you, I value you." It is an extension of love. Beyond that, from being responsive to the most vulnerable groups when they need it the most to supporting charities and nonprofits year after year, we have a long history of giving back to the community for causes close to home, and close to our heart.

Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.

As I came from the Philippines to Canada at the early age of 14 with my parents and became a citizen later, it is essential to me that I treat everyone, be it my team, suppliers or vendors, according to how I learnt growing up in Vancouver. With a rigorous upbringing of respect for our neighbours, regardless of different ethnicities or genders, I have the utmost respect for everyone who enters our door. Two other traits that are equally important to our team and our associations are kindness and generosity. There is no room for maltreatment in our space, whether in the warehouse, hotel, or public space.

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

One way to gain genuine and long lasting support by your community is by being open and honest about your growth journey. We have strived to be transparent about our hopes and dreams, as well as our challenges and headwinds, as our business has grown and matured. We believe that our consistent approach in sharing every facet of our journey with the community through the years has earned us their unwavering trust and support, making us a strong candidate for this award.