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May We Introduce...
We thought it was high time that you got to know us a bit better so we’re happy to share with you a few smiling faces and some very interesting background tidbits about us.
We’ve all spoken to, corresponded with and filled orders for many of you over the years.
Although we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting all of you face to face we thought it would be nice if you could see us and find out a little more about where we’ve come from and why we love doing what we do!
Elke was born in the heart of the Blackforest in Rheinfelden, Germany and after studying floral design for three years she successfully completed her Master’s Degree in floral arrangement.
Upon completion of her apprenticeship, she worked for an additional two years in a commercial nursery and then a move to Munich brought her to a position in the city’s famous flower auction. From there she purchased and managed a very successful flower shop in Munich and continued to build on her thriving career.
A number of summer vacations to Canada’s west coast spurred on her desire to immigrate and in 1996 she was able to make that dream come true! Soon thereafter she co-founded Botanus and has been one of the driving forces behind our continued growth.
Elke is our resident ‘organizer extraordinaire’ and extremely passionate about our business. In particular, she’s the driving force behind our commitment to make the mail order experience for our customers not just good but a real “Wow!” - an experience that everyone will want to have again and again! As well, Elke is the one who’s responsible for most of the wonderful plant photos you see in our catalogues. We’re of the opinion that ‘in the garden’ shots are much more realistic and appealing than staged studio shots and to that end she goes to great lengths to snap just the right images for you to enjoy.
A true power house, we can honestly say that if she’s not out giving talks on bulbs to garden clubs or visiting a botanical garden for new ideas she’ll most likely be perusing the local book store for inspiring titles, kayaking over the Pacific waves or skiing down the slopes of Whistler. That is, of course, if she’s not playing a tune or two on her drum set, clarinet or harmonica!
Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Pam’s love of gardening began years ago when she was allowed to explore all the nooks and crannies of her Grandparent’s special sunken garden - immigrants from Germany who had created a unique and inviting European-style garden in and around their Vancouver home.
This initial childhood exposure to lush greenery and the delicate beauty of flowering plants was a special seed planted that blossomed into a passion some years later.
After graduating from UBC with a Fine Arts degree, Pam pursued an active career in theatre, television and film and was even one of seven initial baristas to be hired by Starbucks in 1987 when they opened their very first outlet in Vancouver! After having become a wiz at creating the perfect espresso and being part of building a successful business from scratch, her career path then took her to Munich, Germany where she worked for one of Europe’s leading marketing consultation companies before returning to Canada and her “roots”. In 1997 she co-founded Botanus and has been loving it ever since!
Pam’s flair for the artistic can be seen in the catalogues you receive each spring and fall as one of her main responsibilities, aside from co-managing the business, is to design and create all of our catalogues. Never one to shy away from the camera, Pam is also a regular featured guest on Canada’s own Shopping Channel Network where she offers amazing deals on Botanus bulbs and plants! And when she finds a quiet moment or two she can be found having a good brisk sit in her private backyard oasis with a good cup of coffee and her latest knitting project on the go!
Growing up in North Vancouver and Richmond, British Columbia, Wendy was actually born in Summerside, PEI. She is the customer care manager for Botanus and many of you have had the distinct pleasure of speaking with her on the phone or corresponding with her via email. In her own words, Wendy loves her job!
Although she’s been interested in gardening ever since she can remember, her real love affair with plants started when she was a teenager and sold daffodils from her garden to neighbours and passerbys and Wendy has since enjoyed her own garden spaces throughout the years. Her work life has always revolved around customer service and sales so she brings with her a wealth of experience having worked for many well-respected retailers.
When the opportunity opened up to work with Botanus and blend her work skills with her love of gardening, she fairly leaped at the chance and we’re so glad she did! At home Wendy has a fabulous and exuberant front yard garden that she’s had fun playing with for over twenty years. She shares this lovely space with her husband, two sons and dog Sneakers. They can only smile when she arrives home from work with yet another something special for the garden.
After all, even she can’t resist all the amazing choices we have!
During the shipping season Wendy finds herself irresistibly drawn to the warehouse - she actually looks for excuses to go out there and wander through the aisles making her wish list as she goes. Wendy is an admitted book ‘junkie’, an avid hiker and kayaker and she loves to cook. She possesses an uninhibitedly enthusiastic personality that shines through everything she does.
She adores her family and we’re very, very lucky to include her in ours! |
