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A place where curiosity and community bloom year round
In the quaint village of Ngongotahā, a suburb of Rotorua, there exists a charming shop known as Curiosity Blooms.
The home, garden and gift shop is a testament to the dreams and determination of its founders, Rachel Beckett and Donna Bigwood, especially considering the doors opened in November 2020, a post-Covid period when many dreams were deferred. In spite of the challenges, the business took off like the happy houseplants in their storefront windows.
Rachel, with her never-ending enthusiasm, reflects on the crucial early years that new businesses need to get through in order to succeed.
“It’s normally that second year where people get tripped up with taxes, but I'm like a little squirrel,” she says.
This resilience is just part of journey that has seen their shop flourish and become a cornerstone of their community for nearly four years.
Rachel’s inspiration to open a retail shop stemmed from her love of the village.
“For me, 100 percent I wanted Ngongotahā to have a proper shop. I love this community. It's such a cool place to live.”
Rachel moved to Ngongotahā 12 years ago from Western Heights, mainly because her now husband Des insisted on staying there. “But it's such a cool community. So many people doing so much cool stuff. I'm really pleased I moved here.”
The spark for Curiosity Blooms ignited during Rachel and Donna’s frequent garden centre road trips and visits. The women met while working at Palmers Garden Centre and the pair often daydreamed about owning their own shop. When Donna spotted an ad for a vacant shop in Ngongotahā, their shared vision rapidly materialised.
“We talked smack about it for a few years and then this place came up and it was five weeks from when we saw the ad to when we opened – which was insane for two people that have never had a business or known what they were doing before!”
Lack of experience or knowledge doesn’t put Rachel off. If anything, it (and copious amounts of coffee) fuels her to get in and give it a go. She Googles anything she needs to.
“I'm all about fake it till you make it. I just look it up, work out how to do it. It's like building our website, I've got no idea about any of that, I just give it a go.”
On opening night, their initial inventory was sparse due to a key delivery from Australia missing in action, but Rachel and Donna's resourcefulness saved the day again.
"We used a lot of filler props, like big wagon wheels and other things I brought from home.”
Their knack for styling and constantly updating the shop keeps the space vibrant and engaging, captivating the local community and visitors alike.
Rachel says the duo’s dynamic balance has been pivotal to their success. Donna, a steady and customer-friendly presence in the shop, complements Rachel's whirlwind of ideas and creative energy.
Rachel admits Donna's the calm to her storm, highlighting their harmonious partnership.
The shop’s location on the main thoroughfare between Rotorua and other regions, and opposite the popular Café Dynasti, has proved advantageous as well, attracting customers from various places, including Tauranga, especially as many gift shops in the area have closed.
Rachel has noted a shift in their product range over time. Initially looking to sell larger items, they found their niche in "bitty bits" – smaller, unique items that resonate with their customers.
Their community-centric approach extends beyond retail. Donna's green thumb brings life to the shop’s floral offerings from late September to early May.
"We grow 100% of our own flowers," Rachel says, with Donna cultivating a dedicated area for cut flowers on her property. Their affordable and lush bouquets are a beloved feature of their customers, spreading joy with every arrangement.
“We both get heaps of warm fuzzies out of the flower side of the business.”
Rachel's full-time job in supply chain management at Southern Cross Hospital doesn't diminish her commitment to Curiosity Blooms. Her boundless energy fuels multiple endeavours, from making ‘sweary plates’ and crafting vintage stained glass pieces into jewellery, to managing their online presence. "I can't just sit still," she admits.
Their passion for Ngongotahā and its people is evident in every aspect of their business. As they approach their fourth anniversary, Rachel and Donna's dedication to their shop and community shines brightly as a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the positive impact of following one's passion.