{Fifty-Two Weeks}

I started this project not only for myself creatively, but for the women in our community! These next 52 weeks you will meet women that are an inspiration to our community, who go above and beyond for their families or our small town, who may own their own business, or are just an inspiration to those who love them. Each woman has their own story, their own calling, their own struggles, and their own accomplishments. I couldn’t have said it better “I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say because of you I didn’t give up.”-unknown

{Week Seven of Fifty-Two}

“Tough times don't last. Tough people do.”

This week’s woman is beyond creative, someone who uses her hands to create beautiful things! She is kind hearted, full of spunk, and would do anything for anyone if asked. After spending an afternoon with her and her daughters, watching them all work on orders, laugh at each other over memories growing up in the shop, I felt like one of the family. They all were so much fun to get to know and am so glad I could feature this woman in the 52 week project. Week seven of fifty-two goes out to the amazingly creative Lori Hoyt owner of The Boondocks Flower Shop and Gifts.

Anytime you walk into a flower shop you are filled with scents, colors, and maybe even are flooded with memories from that amazing bouquet of flowers you were given. I just love going into Boondocks, not only for the amazing flowers but for the ladies that work there. Lori has been owner of The Boondocks here in Douglas since 2006, but has been a florist since 1983 starting in Glenrock. Her daughters grew up in the flower shop, and one memory she shared with me was when her girls were little she would have them down at the shop while she was working. When orders of flowers would come in, she would use the big boxes to contain the girls and keep them from crawling everywhere.  It is almost the same now only with her grandchildren. You may go into the shop and it is just Lori, but 90% of the time you will go in and there will be littles crawling all over the floor or even running through the store with giggle, and smiles. Lori says “This is what makes it all worth it. My girls and the grandchildren, they are my life, my world. They are the most treasured part! So many memories I could share about raising children in the flower shop.”

There are so many amazing flowers out there and who wouldn’t love any of them? “You would be surprised how many people don’t like most flowers” Lori says. I asked Lori what her favorite arrangements are to create, she said that the fall fillers would be her favorite although she loves them all. She was raised on a ranch and the reward was always fall. Lori says “The harvest, the sale, the gathering of blessings, the beautiful changing colors. This is my most favorite time of the year and the fillers you can put in the bouquets are amazing to work with.”  I just loved this quote and wanted to use it just for Lori. “Flowers always make people, better, happier, more helpful; they are sunshine, food, medicine for the soul.” 

I asked Lori what would be the busiest time of the year in the shop and she says “The busiest Day is Valentine’s Day, but the busiest time of year is May. With Mother’s Day, May Day, and graduations, we are slammed with orders.” She also said Christmas is pretty busy. I did her interview the week of Valentines because I knew the shop would be filled with beautiful flowers, her daughters would be in and out helping, and the smells would be amazing. The week before the shop was taking down the holiday stuff in prep for Valentines and I wasn’t worried at all. I knew the worker Lori was that it would be put back together and beautiful before her interview and it was. The shop was filled with pinks, reds, and everything looked like it had been there for months. That is one thing I have learned about Lori through the years. The shop maybe a mess one day but the next it was all back in order. 

 Weddings are a lot of work but very rewarding. To see the final result and the bride with her bouquet is what the reward is. Boondocks averages about 30 wedding a year and one year she did 23 weekends with 33 weddings. Now that is crazy busy! But the most rewarding part of Lori’s job is the final tribute bouquets. “I love to honor the loved ones who may have passed. To work with the families to create that one of a kind, maybe even over the top bouquet to say that last goodbye. It is so important to have what they want and to create that for them with honor. To see their smile, to hear the praise but not do it for the reward, but to honor the loved one that has passed and give some comfort to those who are mourning.”  

I am a very creative person and I think that is one reason Lori and I get along so well. We both have ideas and creative ways to show case it all. So I asked her how she gets her ideas and images in her head to show case her work. “I am always thinking, you could call it daydreaming. My hands are my tools, and I love to just create.” Lori said. This is one of the biggest struggles for a creative mind is to follow the rules, or do an arrangement that is done in a book. Lori loves to create something different for everyone, so when a client calls and puts a limit on the flowers they want, or what colors they can have or can’t, or even say they don’t like a certain flower can be a challenge. This isn’t hard to do, but with a creative mind like Lori’s it can be a struggle at times.

“The industry is changing! Back when I started there were no credit cards, we had what is called wire service. So when you see an advertisement for the flowers on TV you could call your local store and they would get the flowers ordered and then sent to the location you wanted whether in town or out of town. Now we have more options and for that it sometimes isn’t the best thing. One shop may charge this much for something, but it may cost even more at another.” Lori says. Lori wishes that people didn’t have to pay for flowers. “You shouldn’t have to pay for such a gift” You can tell just by the time and energy Lori puts into every bouquet how much her business means to her. One thing she doesn’t like about the shop is the business part. She would rather be creating and putting her creative thoughts and ideas together then doing the book work. I don’t blame her, I so agree. You can see the love she has for her job, and says ““I appreciate all the business through the years and all the clients/customers that come to her to create works of art for those they love. I love that I get to meet fun and different people from different places. It means so much, much more then I can say.”

Getting to know Lori…..

What is your favorite flower and why….Lots of flowers, I love them all! There is a season for every flower, so I can’t just pick one or even two.

What is the biggest struggle….Rules that others put on me, I don’t play well with others and sacrifices I have made.

What is the best thing about your job….CREATE! Use my hands to make someone’s day.

What is your greatest accomplishment….My girls, to be a mother. I thought being a mother was amazing until I had grandchildren and that is truly amazing.

What is your biggest fear….My house be a mess when I die.

Who inspires you and why….My grandma Evelyn! She was my hero! She made you feel invincible.

What is your favorite quote….My life is full of quotes; most would have to be edited.  But I love “Tough times don't last. Tough people do.”

One word to describe “Lori” and why she inspires you…..

“INTENSE!  My second favorite is formidable. She is intense in her creativity, her love for her family and friends, her fun, her anger, her life.   She inspires me to just get up every day and keep going and to do my best with what life has thrown in front of me.  She truly gives the best she has to her family and her clients.  She goes the extra mile for her customers and all of their special events that they entrust her with. Also, she is intensely funny.  She can make me laugh more than anyone.” -Kristy Grant

"Innovational! Lori is so creative and always has a way of knowing how to express my feelings through her beautiful floral designs. I always enjoy visiting with Lori in her shop.  There is always a friendly heartwarming atmosphere at Boondocks!” –Terry Burton

“Big Heart!” –Mary Grant

“Motivated! She puts her heart into making any event you need her for. I had her do my flowers for my wedding and she was so helpful throughout the whole thing. I knew that I could trust her to handle it, no questions asked. She puts a smile on so many faces with her business.” -Jill Seebaum

“Creative and loyal!” –Ashley Hinckley

 “Passionate & Compassionate!”  She has passion for her work and shows compassion to her clients. She loves weddings and takes great honor in her funeral pieces. They are her two favorite things to do.” –Danny Hoyt (husband)

"Caring! Lori and her family are not only amazingly talented florists, they are a very caring family that work very hard to put that extra special touch on each customer order.” –Erika Bevers

“Selfless.  She always goes above and beyond to help others. She never worries about how difficult it might be for herself, and she's always willing to reach out her hand. She has amazing gifts and every day she uses them to make others happy or to comfort them. She's always the first to say, I would love to help with that! It truly amazes me that her selflessness knows no bounds.” –Kaylann Blackburn

“Detailed!  Her flower arrangements show that she cares about them and the person receiving them.” –Kim Pexton

“Caring! She cares enough to give all she has to her family, customers and family. Ironically when her customers come in, whether for happy occasions or for a funeral, Lori gives it her all to make the most special arrangement. If for a “happy day” she makes the recipient smile, for a “wedding” she makes it as special for them as she would if it was one of her won daughters, if for a “funeral” she grieves with you in her own special way. She listens, sheds tears with you and gets to know your loved one. She makes flowers for the funeral that reflects you and your departed. So when customers leave they leave as friends. She cares enough to make each occasion special and unique as only Lori can. Even though she might be busy, she cares enough to drop whatever she is doing to help you. She would give the shirt, literally off her back to help you. Lori is indeed caring!” –Sharon Lovitt

“Fortitude! No matter what she faces, or the pain she endures, whether it be emotional or physical, she pushes on and continues to be her same strong willed, amazing self.” -McKenna Smith

“Selfless! She inspires me to work hard, and to always be there for someone in need, she amazes me how much she can help a family with just a bouquet of flowers. Her art in her work is truly one of a kind.” -Shaynna Hofstetter

“Heart! Lori Hoyt has more heart than most people I know... From her 10 dollar arrangements to her extravagant wedding bequests, nothing leaves the boondocks work room without the heart of the talented Lori behind it! I have grown up with Lori's girls and she has been like a mother to me. She inspires me with her work ethic, her will to always keep going, her ability to solve any problem, and her amazing eye to create! Lori once spent a late night outside the boondocks with me trying to solve life's problems... She had the simplest advice which was to be brave enough to fallow my heart, because I already knew where it was taking me! Lori Hoyt has heart; she is talented, brave, and most of all a friend!” -Christine Hatfield

I want to thank Lori and her girls for welcoming me into their shop and spending an afternoon with me. I loved that you all were so much fun to talk with, interview, and making me feel like part of the family. Lori is truly an inspiration and I am honored to call her friend!

The Boondocks Flower Shop and Gifts

830 E. Richards #2

Douglas, WY. 82633

307-358-4902