Finance to floristry: Behind Sarah’s move to Gympie

Sarah McGuire’s days used to be based around a desk, working in finance for a bank, but she had always been creative. Now she’s the face behind Southside Stems, sending flowers across the Gympie region.

“I was at ANZ, in the financial industry. But I’ve always been a very creative person. I love making things, I always have,” she says. 

When living in Charters Towers, an opportunity came up to buy a local florist shop. Even with zero experience in floristry, she was ready to lean all in. But before she did, the current owner offered her a chance to come and learn first-hand. 

“The owner said, ‘Why don’t you come and work here first and see if you like it?’” she says. “Then she put me through my Certificate III in floristry. I remember thinking, what an opportunity, especially at nearly 40. Is it really possible to change careers like this?”

Now, five years later, Sarah and her family have been living in Gympie for the past 12 months. Her newly-launched local business, Southside Stems, is a continuation of the works she’s come to love. 

“We wanted somewhere greener, and Gympie definitely is,” she says. “I also grew up on the Sunshine Coast, so there was a pull to come back. And with our kids getting older, we wanted them to experience a bigger community.

“I’ve set up a space in my garage with my fridges and flowers. Most of my orders are deliveries anyway, often from people who don’t even live locally. I even had an order from Switzerland last week… They’re sending flowers to loved ones here.”

These days, the routine looks a little different from her previous career. Mornings start with coffee and checking orders, followed by school drop-offs, then time spent creating arrangements. Afternoons are often full of deliveries around town before school pick-up and starting over the next day. 

“It’s very family-friendly. I created it that way on purpose,” she says. “Floristry is a tactile thing. It’s been really good for my overall wellbeing. It’s helped me rebalance, get away from that hectic, desk-based environment. It sounds a bit cliché, but don’t doubt yourself. You’re probably more capable than you think.”