Laura Sousa, working at Hills Florist in Toronto, says her friends see a difference in her since she switched careers.Jennifer Roberts
In 2021, Toronto resident Laura Sousa quit a high-profile, six-figure job at a bank to become a part-time florist. Since then, she’s gained more free time to spend with family and friends and to create art, and she’s even bought a flower shop with a business partner.
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Here’s more about Ms. Sousa’s journey to more fulfilment and less stress:
What was your life like before your career pivot?
In my previous role, I led a large team that worked with people across the bank to support them in executing projects. A lot of that was coaching and working with very senior leaders. I really enjoyed my job. I liked the social components of mentoring and meeting with teams in person. But I also worked a lot – 12 hours a day or more. And it was stressful. Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night, remember something I had to do, get on my computer to do it and not go back to sleep.
What changed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit?
A lot shifted. Working from home took away the social aspect of my work. I lost the ‘people’ side of my job, and with that, the passion for my work went away too.
In the summer of 2020, I walked into my local flower shop, Hills Florist, to pick up a bouquet for a gift. I made a very off-the-cuff comment to the shop owner, Lisa, saying: “Gee, I love your store so much. I wish I could work here.” Lisa’s response was, “Well, why don’t you?” I laughed it off at the time, telling Lisa that I had a full-time job already. But I kept coming back to the idea of becoming a florist.
For months, I kept thinking about it and evaluating it. I talked it over with my husband and we figured that our family could live off his salary and my savings. I recognize that I was very privileged and lucky to be able to make a move like that. I quit in June 2021 and took a three-week floral design program in July. Then I did a two-month unpaid apprenticeship in Lisa’s shop before joining her as a part-time florist.
How did it feel to be in this new position?
I really enjoyed my work. I regained the “people” side of work by meeting with customers. The community that I’ve met through the shop has been so great. It’s really rewarding and fulfilling.
My friends all envied me and told me I should buy my own shop one day. It turned out that Lisa, the shop owner, was getting ready to retire and wanted to sell. So, in January 2024, I bought it alongside a business partner, Melissa, who is a florist in her 20s. We’re 50/50 owners. Melissa works full-time in the shop while I work part-time and do the books. I work about 35 hours a week. Lisa still works with us part-time, two or three days a week.
How is life different after your career pivot?
I sleep a lot better these days – more hours and better-quality sleep. When I was working at the bank, it felt like there was always more to do. But now, I can fully enjoy my free time, which I have more of. I get every Wednesday off, and I’m using that time to explore more creative sides [of myself] by making jewellery and painting. I’m not a fine artist, but I do an art form called paint-pouring which is a really neat technique. I also make pendants, earrings, cufflinks and coasters [and] sell them at local art shows.
How have your personal relationships benefitted after your pivot?
Art has been a great way to bond with my friends and my children. I have two [kids], they’re 27 and 29. We’ll spend the whole afternoon making art together, having quality time. My husband, kids and I are taking art classes together in pottery, silk-screening and linocut printmaking.
I also started doing weekly walks with a couple of girlfriends from grade school. We’ll go out, usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and do one-and-a-half or two hours in the evening, talking the whole way. Last week, we were at the Humber River watching the salmon jump.
My friends say that they can see a difference in me, that I’m in a better, happier place. A lot of them tell me: “I wish I could find what you’ve found.”