ABOUT

Flat illustration of Hanna, surrounded by illustrated peonies.

 

Hanna Taylor is a 23 year-old nature-lover determined to spread joy through the beauty of plant life. As a Growing Kindness ambassador, an initiative that encourages people to spread the powerful but simple message of kindness through flowers, she knows first-hand how contagious kindness can be, and she’s made it her mission to be a facilitator of its spread.
Hanna is on the autism spectrum, so finding her place in the workforce has been difficult. Managing anxiety can often feel like a full-time job on its own, and she needs more supports than others to excel in certain situations. But one thing that has always come easily to Hanna is her maternal instinct: she has always been drawn to caregiver roles, so creating a business where she can utilize those nurturing skills felt like an organic next step.
Hanna is growing alongside her plants, too, taking her cues from the easy rhythms of nature as she learns about business, plans out her seedlings and plots out her vegetable garden with the simple goal of putting smiles on faces.

 

 

Q: You’re a Growing Kindness Gardener. How did you get involved with that initiative?

A: I read about the Growing Kindness initiative online and thought it would be a good idea to try. It’s all about making people feel loved or cared about through simple acts of kindness, like giving them fresh flowers.

 

Q: What inspired you to start Grow Flower & Plant Co.?

A: I have always liked flowers and thought it would be fun to try working with them and growing them. Me and my mom came up with the idea of starting a plant company, because busy work environments and strangers often make me feel uncomfortable and this is something I can do from home. We researched and purchased seeds and have been germinating so many types of flowers, plants and vegetables. I measured our backyard and we planned raised beds and I am even going to try straw bale gardening for some of my growing. I am trying my hand at propagating some houseplants too!

 

Q: What’s your favorite flower? Why?

A: Hibiscus is my favourite flower because it reminds me of beautiful sunny Hawaii.

 

Q: Describe yourself in three words:

A: Creative, helpful and kind.

 

Q: What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

A: Trying something new that I didn’t think I would have ever been able to do. My learning disabilities make it hard for me to find work in a traditional setting and plants are quiet and it's easy for me to learn and understand what they want – not like people!

 

Q: If you were a colour, which colour would you be and why?

A: I would be a rainbow because it has all the colours! Depending on my mood or how I’m feeling on a particular day.

 

Q: Night owl or early riser?

A: Early riser!

 

Q: If you could have one super power, what would it be?

A: Sun power! To make the weather always warm and sunny.

 

Q: Ice Cream or Chocolate?

A: Ice Cream

 

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not growing or working on your business?

A: Going for walks with my dog Bodhi, cooking or baking, or being with family and friends.