Meet Tom from sustainable florist Florage Tasmania and the Tasmanian Hamper Co - Launceston, TAS

Andre and Tom escaped corporate life in Hong Kong and took ownership of Florage Launceston in early 2022. Which just so happened to come along with a thriving hamper company - The Tasmanian Hamper Co.  Covid, lockdowns, separation from family and friends, disruptions to work and life pushed them to fast track their  ‘it will happen one-day’ plan, and now they are loving Launceston and Tassie life. 

Their vision is to deliver happiness, joy and comfort every day to their customers, their suppliers and their loved ones.  They want to have less impact on the environment, and  love helping people make other people happy.  They are passionate about our part in sharing the love of flowers and food.

Andre brings years of creative experience to Florage Tasmania, with a long career working in design for luxury retailers including Gucci, Chanel and Burberry.  He is a qualified architect and has run his own Interior Design and Styling business. His passion for fresh flowers was enhanced by training in floristry at Hong Kong Academy of Flower Arrangement, accredited through I.A.F. European Certifications with Kunstmuseum Den Haag, the Netherlands, which inspired us to purchase Florage.  Andre has now transformed Florage into a Designer’s Choice florist, where he creates unique one-of-a-kind arrangements of the freshest seasonal blooms, especially for you.

Tom happily said goodbye to 20-years working in finance and banking. The change from an office desk in Hong Kong, to being surrounded by flowers, smiling customers, working with growers and local producers is a dream come true.  Sending their Tasmanian Hamper Co. hampers to places far and wide to experience amazing Tassie produce, and driving around town delivering fresh flowers, colours and gifts to delighted recipients are the highlights of his week.

We talk to Tom about trading subtropical Hong Kong for Launceston - and how it was winter when they first arrived. The process of looking for and purchasing a business that aligns with ones values and how those same values then permeate the way Florage and the Tasmanian Hamper Co chooses to do business. We also talk the importance of education consumers on the provenance of their product and their sustainability journey as well as how this transcends both parts of their business. Tom also tell us how Florage also supports local flower growers - from commercial farms to kids who have cut things from their parents garden and come in the shop looking to deal.   

Hosts: Jayde Timms & Sam Baff from Grown Not Flown
Guest: Tom Miller- Co Owner - Florage Tasmania/Tasmanian Hamper Co.
Website: www.florage.com.au. www.tasmanianhamperco.com.au
Instagram: @floragetasmania @tasmanianhamperco