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New Podcast Episode: Power of the Pivot via Career Transitions with Rachel Kelly, Make Lemonade
How do you successfully pivot your business during unexpected industry shifts? In this episode of the ChangeMaker Leader Podcast, host Leigh Mitchell speaks with Rachel Kelly about her journey from founding Toronto’s Make Lemonade coworking studio to building a flourishing career as an event florist.
Key Takeaways: How to Pivot Your Career & Business
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Inventory Your Existing Assets: When changing direction, leverage your established brand equity, network, and transferable core skills rather than starting from scratch.
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Cultivate Adaptability and Optimism: View unexpected disruptions as opportunities to explore new creative paths.
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Invest in Practical Skill Building: Transition smoothly by acquiring technical expertise (e.g., formal training at Toronto Flower School).
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Master Digital Marketing Channels: Utilize tools like targeted email marketing to build and maintain a loyal customer base.
FAQ: Business Pivots & Career Transitions
How did Rachel Kelly pivot from coworking to floral design?
After navigating the closure of her Make Lemonade coworking space during the pandemic, Rachel Kelly pivoted by attending the Toronto Flower School. Combining her fine arts background, established personal brand, and new practical skills, she transitioned into full-time event floristry.
What are the main benefits of a career transitions or business pivot?
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Career Resilience: Protects your professional trajectory against market downturns.
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Creative Alignment: Allows professionals and or entrepreneurs to align daily work with evolving personal passions.
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Skill Expansion: Broadens your capability set, making your business model more adaptable.
Full Episode Summary
In this episode, Rachel Kelly shares her path through major career pivots, detailing how she embraced resilience, creativity, and optimism in the face of adversity. From managing a vibrant community coworking space to scaling 15-foot ladders for floral installations, Rachel demonstrates how taking stock of your existing skills can help you overcome self-doubt and redefine success.
Topics Covered in This Episode
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Resilience & Adaptability: Navigating business closure and maintaining optimism during transitions.
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Creative Career Paths: Transitioning fine arts and community-building experience into event floristry.
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Continuous Skill Development: The role of practical education and hands-on training in executing a successful career change.
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Digital Marketing Strategies: Using email marketing to launch and sustain a new service venture.
About the Guest: Rachel Kelly
Rachel Kelly is a Toronto-based florist, community builder, and former founder of Make Lemonade CoWorking Studio. Holding a degree in fine arts, she combines an eye for design with practical floral artistry trained at the Toronto Flower School. Today, she crafts unique floral installations for brand launches, weddings, and milestone celebrations.
Rachel Kelly is also a motorcycle ridin’, community-buildin’, florist in Toronto.
Like a lot of small business owners, her journey isn’t linear, but what makes her stand out is her eternal optimism and passion for colour. From the opening (and closing) of her coworking office, crafting email magic, to whipping up unique floral creations, good design is at the heart of everything she does.
She had an epiphany in the midst of the pandemic: her dreams were bigger than the work she was doing on her laptop, so she went after ‘em.
With a degree in fine arts, a sharp set of snips, and an eye for design, she jumped at the opportunity to go to Toronto Flower School to scratch an itch. The itch became a full-on career switch and she’s so glad she made it.
From hauling tonnes of greens for milestone celebrations, and scaling 15ft ladders to craft hanging installs for brand launches, she loves every moment of making flower magic.
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