Joanne Leiman is the owner of
FlowersFlowers, a flower shop providing memorable floral arrangements for life’s everyday occasions to flowers and décor for weddings, parties, and events. Their specialty is having unique and novelty flowers of unsurpassed quality and creating original, breathtaking floral arrangements with these blooms.
Years owning a business in downtown Evanston: 22+
Motivation to open FlowersFlowers: I left the corporate world, knowing I wanted to have my own business. I loved the idea of having a 'luxury' business, selling something you want vs need, and providing the best customer service along with a beautiful, high quality product. I bought FlowersFlowers as an existing shop, and it's been evolving ever since!
Career(s) before opening FlowersFlowers: I was a project manager and business analyst. As an aside, I have a BS degree in Chemistry, originally planning to be pre-med, and then environmental chemistry. My paths changed quite a bit along the way, and I'm so pleased that they did so!
What other business(es) in Downtown Evanston do you frequent? Lemoi Ace Hardware, Art & Science Salon, and the newly opened Pour
What is your favorite thing about owning your own business? My favorite part of owning my own business is that the business really represents me and my values. Our designs, our product, and our customer service all reflects back on me as the owner. #ilovemyjob
When you are not working, what is your favorite way to spend time? Playing with my two cats at home!
What is your favorite book?
Too many to pick a favorite, and it's always changing as I read quite a bit.
Do you have a motto or quote?
Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. - Gilda Radner
Outside of Evanston, what is your favorite city? Chicago
Did you pick up any new hobbies during Covid? I adopted 2 kittens! Violet and Ash. Violet is a very fluffy grey kitty, and Ash is a big (!) cat with the biggest, fluffiest tail I've ever seen!
Do you have any talents outside of being an awesome business owner?
I'm quite good at crossword puzzles, I remember customer addresses (!), and I'm ultra organized!
Anything else to add: I live and work in Evanston, and it's so wonderful to see people's lives change and grow over the many years I've owned the business. And, it's always fun to bump into customers outside of the shop - like at the grocery store!