Eva Bleakley: Business Is Blooming,

Ithaca native Eva Bleakley grew up surrounded by nature and has made her appreciation of it her artistic focus.

 “My mother worked as a horticulturist at Cornell’s Botanic Gardens for over 30 years, and when I was young we lived for a while in an old farmhouse tucked away inside the Arboretum. I spent hours wandering the gardens.” 

Love of art and the natural world were always part of Eva’s life. As a child, Eva’s father would walk with her in natural areas and quiz her on native plants. She loved drawing, took classes at CSMA, and art classes in school were her favorite. 

After high school Eva headed to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC to study interior and exhibit design for museum and retail spaces. 

“I loved the energy of the City. When I wasn’t studying or working, I spent time visiting all the museums and taking in the whole art scene,” Eva said

Eva became enchanted by the artistry of window dressings and fashion and one of her many jobs was designing and creating fanciful window displays in famous NYC shops on 5^th Avenue. 

“I became enthralled by the interplay of art and design and its appeal to consumers.”

After completing a Fine Arts degree from Hunter College, Eva returned to Ithaca. In 2013 she worked for a few months with Sara Culotta, founder of Business is Blooming, Floral Design Studio.

When Sara informed Eva she was going to sell her business, Eva pondered the surprise opportunity. 

“I had never considered owning a business and I had no business background. But, going with the Flow of Life, I decided to carry on this much-loved business, which allowed me to merge my love of plants and artistic background.” 

Eva’s evolving business plan, as a full-service florist, continued and expanded weddings, events, flower subscriptions, gifts, and sympathy arrangements. 

“When I buy flowers, I focus on local sources first and then regional sites in NY, PA, and Canada, expanding beyond for variety. I look for healthy sources–considering land management, sustainability, and employment practices…As much as possible I use local flowers and plants, embracing the seasonality, and arrange them so their natural form and beauty shine through,” Eva said. “After my mother retired from the Botanic Gardens, she renovated and expanded the Cutting Garden on the side of the studio, where we grow some of our own blooms in the heart of the Fall Creek neighborhood. In keeping with sustainable business practices, I share gently used flowers recycled from events with art classes or local school celebrations.”

Many of us have probably seen and admired the unusual, enchanting arrangements displayed in banks, gyms and offices throughout this area. We know people who have happily received a monthly BIB arrangement as a gift from a doting loved one. As we lean in to take a closer look at the beautiful bouquets, we read the delightful accompanying cards, with botanical facts and bits of plant lore, and expand our list of flowers we can name. 

After nearly ten years as owner of Business is Blooming, Eva, the young artistic worker-turned business owner, attributes her ability to maintain and expand Business is Blooming with no prior business experience, to lots of organization, methodical planning, attention to details, excellent customer service, and of course her creative drive. 

She shares the credit for success with her talented, hardworking staff and two devoted parents, who pitch in with deliveries and help around the studio. A graphic design/computer whiz, Eva’s younger brother also gets called upon occasionally for consultations. Eva’s days are busy, but she is surrounded by people she loves, who are invested in a good outcome and can be counted upon.

Reserving enough time, focus and energy to create artistic, delicate living arrangements, while at the same time managing a popular business, is demanding. 

“To recharge after months of often working 7 days a week, I plan an adventure during our quietest time of year. I go to a new country—Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, Cuba…When I return to Ithaca, I am renewed and ready to greet the non-stop demands of a business.”

After receiving the most exquisite flower arrangement, delivered by Eva’s mother on Valentine’s Day, finally meeting Eva Bleakley, young owner of Business is Blooming is delightful.For more information about Business Is Blooming call the studio at 607-227-1522, email talk@bizbloom.biz or stop by at 1005 N Cayuga Street. You can find Business is Blooming online at www.bizbloom.biz or on Instagram @bizbloomfloraldesign.