Reflections

Kim Beller

I attended the Sinclair and Moore workshop with my mother and sister so we could enjoy a getaway together. Perhaps the best way to sum up my time spent at workshop is to say that I can't stop thinking about it! Since my return home-it is the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last thing before I go to sleep at night.

Because I am not in the floral design or event planning business, I truly didn't know what to expect. I trusted that the only requirement was to have a love of flowers, a dream, and of course, a desire to be there! Well that honestly is all one needs.

First, let me just say that to be in a space so beautiful was unreal. There are no words to describe how ethereal it was. Simple but stunning. The studio is gorgeous! Honestly, I didn't want to leave.

Add to that the fact that Steve is amazing. He is generous and kind, warm, energetic, witty, funny, intuitive, affirming, and just someone who made me feel right at home from the minute I met him. There is a caring, deep-thinking, thoughtful man behind all the talent!

And lastly, Steve has surrounded himself with a lovely (and loving) team. Each one added so much to our day. Jamie, the photographers, and assistants-all down to earth, real people who obviously love people and love what they do. What an inspiration for me to see that in action.

If I had to sum it all up (trust me, it is difficult to put into words)-I would say that attending this workshop was not only life-affirming but life-changing. Forming friendships, sharing laughter and making memories with the other attendees and with Steve and team will be with me forever and ever. My heart is full of gratitude and love. Thank you thank you Steve. Please don't stop offering these workshops. You are a gift beyond anything you can imagine. I can't wait to see you again!

Chikae Howland

Having admired Sinclair and Moore for a while, I was reaching a crossroads in my life where I was unsure of the direction I was going in with my Floral Design Company. I was in a partnership and really felt obligated and a sense of duty to not let my business partner down by questioning whether or not our partnership should carry on. We were a great team and we had so much fun together, there were no hard feelings between us but something was amiss and I just didn't know what it was. One day I decided I needed a Time Out, to refresh my creativity, step away from my business and explore what else was out there. Learn new things, meet new people, explore new places. So, on a whim, but knowing exactly who I wanted to see on my road of rediscovery, I booked Steve’s Floral Design workshop. I didn’t bat an eyelid. I knew it was the right decision and once it was booked I knew that my journey would be a good one.

During the workshop I learnt a lot of new skills, absorbed the kindness and hard-working ethics that Steve had to offer, and met so many wonderful people that I now call friends. Steve’s workshops are a great example of a kind of creativity that you know has the best intentions and the ability to change your life for the better. Understanding the florist and event world from Steve’s point of view is a huge eye-opener. Once the workshop was over I was sad but I had a better idea of the next steps I had to take. I was too scared to admit it. Steve was kind enough to offer me a one-to-one and through this encounter, he made me see that my choice to follow my heart and rip the bandaid off to pursue my own career was by far the best thing for me.

Without his encouragement, help, advice, kind words, passion, heart and honesty, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I feel a huge weight has been lifted of my shoulders. People struggle with these decisions all the time, and if you don’t know where to begin… the Sinclair and Workshops are really one of the best places to start. This in turn has made me want to pass this on to others that also struggle or have struggled in a similar situation to mine and pass on Steve’s legacy and kindness.

Lisa Gillund

The day I walked into Steven’s studio for the first time, I can only tell you that the feeling of walking into the space was the most beautiful and calming feeling I have ever felt in my adult life. I was overcome with emotion- happiness, excitement, peace. I will always remember the first moment I met Steven. He is the most kind, attentive, passionate, and dedicated person I have ever learnt from. When you speak with him, he is completely dedicated to his time with you. He WANTS to hear from you. He WANTS to learn from you as well. He engages himself in your passions and your dreams. Simply put: he wants to make it happen for every single person who attends his workshops. He is invested in bringing out your best self.

What I took away from the three days I was able to learn from Steven has forever changed not only how I have looked at my floral design, but within my personal life as well. I could tell you of all the AMAZING flowers and meticulous details and beauty of Steven’s space, but explaining it would never be as impactful as seeing it with your own eyes. Before attending the Sinclair & Moore workshop I had never invested my business into any kind of creative workshop. I never knew what the benefit might be, or if I was ‘good enough.’ What I will tell you is that it is worth every ounce of your well being, every penny you may have set aside to increase your professional happiness and will grow your self confidence immeasurably. This workshop isn’t life changing; it is life awakening.

I will forever be grateful to Steven and to Jamie for allowing me to attend their workshop. There isn’t a day that I do not think of them and their graciousness and how it has impacted me. For the first time in many years, I am excited to create. I have found my joy again.

Katie Hubert

I attended the Elements of Event Design workshop, shortly after leaving my full time job to focus solely on my business. I had no formal training in floral design, so I registered, hoping to learn a thing or two to take home. But the Sinclair & Moore Workshop benefitted me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

In just three short days, I learned how to create beautiful, garden-style arrangements, and was provided with a detailed list of resources from Steve's very own toolkit. During our one-on-one session, Steve and I discussed my ideal client, business plans, and outlined steps on how to achieve my goals. Steve showed genuine care in the success of my business, shared stories of his humble beginnings, and to this day has remained a true and honest mentor. Without this workshop, I would not be where I am today. I came to Seattle, hoping to learn how to properly arrange flowers, but I left with so much more. In just three days, I became a better designer, a smarter business woman, and a bigger dreamer. For anyone seeking a workshop that will give you tangible tools and plans for bettering yourself and your business, I highly encourage making the investment to attend the Sinclair & Moore Workshop!

Sharika Kim

Steve and Jamie are truly the kindest, most generous, humble, patient, down to earth people I have met in a long time. Not only are they ridiculously talented, Steve's integrity and passion for teaching and helping others is unmatched. You will not only learn multiple different floral techniques and how to run a business with intention and heart, you will also grow and develop long lasting, real relationships with some pretty amazing, like-minded individuals.

I've always believed in living a life of no regrets. To do that, you must, at times, be vulnerable. Because if you are never vulnerable and never take risks, you will never know your full potential. If you never put yourself out there, then you have no idea what opportunities may be open to you, personally and professionally.

I know it's a leap of faith, I know it's an investment, I know it's scary, but If you have ever considered for even a second, attending one of Steve's workshops, I promise you this; it will be the BEST gift you have ever given yourself!

If there's one thing I know it's this: Life is too short to not take risks and to not be doing what you love. I am so abundantly grateful that I took that risk because being a part of this floral design workshop has pushed me not only to be a better designer, flower farmer, and business owner, but also to be a better person!!

Shalom Murphy

"It never hurts to be kind and always be kind to yourself" This was easily one of the most impactful things Steve spoke into the attendees of my first workshop, I mean, it had to be, I was so engaged it was the only thing I wrote down that day! I am naturally known as the extrovert in my life and found myself in mostly silence and awe over the three-day workshop. I had never created a floral arrangement and was so intimidated by the easy way Steve moved through each step. I was the last person working on my arrangement after the fist day and was so nervous to have it checked because I felt so lost and scared I would have let him down as a teacger. It was that point that Steve came by and reminded me to trust myself. To be honest, it wasn't until the second day that I let go and did just what he asked. As a result I created a bouquet that I am so incredibly proud of. Steve and Jamie's unbelievable hospitality creates an atmosphere where all fears can be aired and matched by deeply genuine encouragement. This workshop changed my life in ways I am still beginning to understand. Steve's way of teaching makes you feel individually invested in, challenged, and humbled. You truly cannot put a price tag on the relationships and lessons that you will walk away with. If you are on the fence, "be kind to yourself" and do it!

Erin Shackelford

I recently attended The Sinclair and Moore Real Wedding Workshop. I have taken many workshops related to floral design and many more in relation to business, as part of my past career in the corporate world. This workshop was far and away one of the best workshops I have attended. Not only did Steve provide exceptional instruction in relation to floral design, product preparation and vendor disclosure but he truly shows why he is a master in his trade. He openly shares his experience with growing a small business into something great and shares his insights into the tangible AND intangible attributes of being a successful business owner. His teaching style empowers his attendees to see where THEIR greatness is and to leverage those positive attributes in their businesses. He did a phenomenal job of creating a “safe place” where attendees can share their fears and vulnerabilities with other workshop attendees. With Steve’s encouragement, the group of attendees spent time together in and outside the workshop reviewing what we had learned, identifying and overcoming fears and ways to strive to be the best we can be in our business. In parallel to the business lessons and personal insights, we created an unbelievable real wedding experience for a lucky Seattle couple when we transformed a parking garage into an elegantly modern wedding venue. As attendees, we were able to create the floral centerpieces and bridesmaids bouquets in addition to being part of the team that made this incredible transformation happen. I left this workshop utterly floating with exhilaration and motivation to put what I learned into practice. I feel so incredibly lucky to have met such incredible people as Steve, his wonderful team and the amazing attendees. If you are considering attending a Sinclair and Moore workshop, I highly recommend the investment. For me, it came at the perfect time and has given me added confidence that my dreams can be reality.