Why I Am Lucky To Work at Rock & Bloom

Hi! My name is Molly and I’m the newest Rock & Bloom team member. I joined the team late last year as an Account Manager. The title of this post may sound like I’m trying to suck up to my team being new and all, but let me tell you why I really am lucky to work at Rock & Bloom. 

I used to own Lux Events, an event company in Saskatoon, before moving to Toronto over two years ago. I loved owning and running my own business. I loved having a team, collaborating with them, helping clients, and designing beautiful events. Before starting at Rock & Bloom, I felt lost. Trying to find work that excites me, is meaningful, and that fits my lifestyle with two amazing (and busy) kids, is no easy task. Add global pandemic to the list, and, well, it’s no easy feat. 

I have known Rock & Bloom for years. They created my website, and helped me at every turn in my business, from HR to strategy, saying no to screaming yes. Most of the things I did right in my business was from their advice, leadership, and mentorship. 

After moving to Toronto, I worked at an organization where I learned so much about myself, how to make a killer spreadsheet, my value as a professional, and… the type of company culture I will never be part of again. 

I worked in an extremely toxic work environment with poor company culture. After I quit, I spent an entire month processing what happened, and then homeschooling my kids who were neglected (okay, plopped in front of netflix) for two months at the start of the pandemic. While this was a difficult experience, it helped me reflect on the things that are really important to me. It wasn’t easy, but I’m so grateful for the lessons I learned from that job. 

Company culture is everything. We are all human beings, with feelings, relationships, family, friends, hobbies, and things outside of work that make us who we are. To think that when you hire someone, they are to fit within your box is insane to me. Having created a company culture and attempted to fit into a culture that wasn’t good for me, I became increasingly aware of the significance of this. I am really lucky to work in a company that values culture so much. Rock & Bloom actually walks the walk when it comes to a positive environment. Check out what I’ve experienced so far: 

I was told at my old job that I had flexibility in my day, but was required to be at my computer for 15+ hours a day, even when the pandemic hit and my kids were at home 24/7. So although the value of balance was preached, it definitely wasn’t practiced. It is one thing to say something, and another to follow through. 

At Rock & Bloom, we have core hours. During these hours, we should be available to colleagues and clients. Aside from that, you can work whatever hours you want, as long as the work gets done. This has been huge to me — one of my favourite parts of my day is walking my kids to and from school. 

Yes, Rock & Bloom actually has this. And they actually enforce it. They believe in resting hard. As long as we give enough notice, they are fine with you taking time off. And the team is there to support you while you’re off, so you can actually have a holiday, knowing you won’t come back to a build up of work. Many of our team members have family across the country, love to travel, and have hobbies that they love to pursue. The perk of unlimited vacation helps all my teammates seek out satisfaction and connection outside of the promised three weeks other companies guarantee. 

Founders Heather and David care about their team and want us to succeed. I’m not afraid to tell them that I miss being an entrepreneur. I believe they will help bring me into the business part of Rock & Bloom (once I get the hang of my role), and leverage my skills in that area. Many team members have side hustles and it just makes us a more well-rounded, happier team. 

Trusting your team to make decisions because they are smart. At my old job, even my emails to the team had to be proofread! That level of control and micromanaging really hurts over time, and can erode confidence. On my first day at Rock & Bloom, Heather asked me to send a contract out to a client — the trust was obvious from day one. That spoke volumes. 

Rock & Bloom is the real deal. When I interviewed with them, I told them I was excited to potentially be “part of the club.” They laughed humbly… but I was serious. It is a club, they are tight but inclusive, they care deeply about their work and their clients, and know when to have fun (their #random chat on Slack is off the hook). I am honoured to join this team and excited to jump in even more.