Mother's Day with TBCo & Freddie's Flowers
Mother’s Day, meaningful moments, and the mums who shaped us.
Ahead of Mother’s Day, we sat down with Freddie Garland of Freddie's Flowers, and our very own Emma Macdonald to chat about what Mother’s Day means to them - from planning the perfect day to the inspiration and values their mothers have instilled in them. Read more about how their mum’s guidance shaped both them and their businesses, and in what ways they’re hoping to pass this on to their own kids one day.
Ahead of Mother’s Day, can you please introduce yourself and your lovely business?
Emma: I’m Emma, founder and CEO of TBCo. We create thoughtfully designed pieces for your wardrobe and home, made from natural and recycled materials, designed to make a positive impact on the planet and how you feel. At TBCo, we believe in self-expression, colour and joy. Our pieces are created to help you show up as your most confident and creative self, while knowing that what you’re buying has been made responsibly and with care.
Freddie: My name’s Freddie and I'm the founder of Freddie's Flowers. I started FF because of the joy flowers bring to people. I wanted to change people’s approach to flowers, making the whole experience more creative because you get to arrange them yourself. I also love introducing new and interesting varieties, playing with shape and colour, and exploring all the different palettes and combinations that work together. It brings such an immense amount of happiness to work with flowers and be hands-on with nature.
What does a beautiful Mother’s Day look like to you, honestly?
Emma: A beautiful Mother’s Day for me is simple. It’s time spent with my mum and all my girls, and I’m very lucky to also have a wonderful mother-in-law to celebrate too. I love both giving and receiving small tokens of love, from handmade cards to little gifts I know will bring comfort and joy. Ideally, the sun is shining, we’re all together, and we head out for a long walk with the dogs before a pub lunch.
Freddie: For me, Mother’s Day is just about being a bit more thoughtful. I’ll make sure both my children have attempted something special for my wife, Sophie - although I can’t guarantee the quality. Sophie and I will ensure we spend a part of the day with each of our mums as well and it's just a chance to make sure you dedicate some time to them!
What values from your own mum, or a mother figure in your life, have shaped how you show up today?
Emma: My mum is a very small Irish lady, and though she is small, she shines very bright. She truly embodies what TBCo is about, self expression, creativity and joy. She’s expressive, full of love and energy that is completely contagious. She played a huge part in giving me the passion and confidence to build TBCo. Both my mum and my mother in law are strong, creative and inspiring women, and I’m so proud that they have chosen to be part of the TBCo journey and work in our shop in Edinburgh. It feels very full circle.
Freddie: My mum has always been a huge source of inspiration for me, both in terms of her creativity and how hard she has worked throughout her life. When I started FF, she would be up early with me and heading to the flower market helping me choose the stems, then back home to pack the boxes. She never questioned or doubted me once and was there from the beginning. She is also someone who has always led a very creative household, ensuring the house always looks the part for any occasion.
As founders of B Corp certified brands, what do you hope your children will one day understand about why you built your brand the way you did?
Emma: Becoming a B Corp was never a tick box exercise for me. It was about building something I truly loved, but not at the expense of people or the planet. I wanted to create a business that could have a bigger impact than I ever could alone, one that leaves a positive footprint that only grows as we scale. I hope my girls understand that you can build ambitious, successful businesses and still stay true to your values. More than anything, I want to be part of creating a better future for them and their generation. That is a huge driver behind every decision we make and how we continue to grow TBCo with integrity and purpose.
Freddie: I hope my children see that at
Freddie's Flowers we’ve created something fun, vibrant, and creative that genuinely brings happiness to people - and that we’ve done it in a responsible way through being thoughtful about our impact on people and the planet.
