Deb Leroux ~ Harris Flowers

Posted Thursday, April 28, 2011

Business Thompson Okanagan

Deb Leroux – Harris Flowers

by Goody Niosi

Deb Leroux, one of Vernon’s outstanding business leaders, has a passion for every aspect of her life. Leroux is the current president of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce and the owner of Harris Flowers, a heritage business that has been operating in the community since 1935. Leroux purchased the business while she was still living in Lumby and commuted for several years before moving to Vernon in 2008. The flower shop appealed to her, she says. “I had a very strong desire to become an entrepreneur,” she says. “And buying it was a good decision – it has altered the trajectory of my life.”

Above all, she says that the business has taught her a great deal – so much that she could likely write a potential bestseller titled, “How Politics and Retail are so Similar.”

She says, “I’ve learned that every floral purchase is an emotional purchase, so I deal with emotions all day long in my business. I’ve learned that because our offering is a creative expression, it’s subjective. If the customer loves it, they’re right. It’s taught me about the interconnectedness of the community and it has taught me how many ways there are to incorporate the beauty and joy and vibrancy of flowers in different environments and what it can do for people’s moods and spirits.”

She adds that the business also brings her joy every day. “I love dealing with our customers. They’re constantly inspiring me and it’s a true privilege to assist them in whatever occasion is happening in their life.”

She says she’s delighted that she and the staff have developed rapport with their customers. The shop is a downtown hub in Vernon. People drop by to say hello or to discuss the issues of the day. Leroux also gives back to the community through her shop. Because it is so highly visible, she donates a storefront window to a different charity each month, raising awareness for that particular cause.

Vernon is really home to Leroux. Her family moved to Vernon from Edmonton in 1979. In 1993 she moved to Lumby with her husband and children. In Lumby she got involved in local government. She recalls that she got angry over a particular issue and realized she had one of two choices: she could simply vent her anger or she could make a difference. “I’m a very active person and I felt strongly that standing outside and throwing rocks is not that effective,” Leroux says. “So I decided to put myself in the chair where I could have an impact – and I loved it and I will forever be grateful to the people and the community of Lumby for giving me that opportunity.”

She served on the Lumby town council for two terms and also sat on the Regional District Board. “I developed a thorough understanding of how we as a business community and local government community all function at a regional level. Everything that happened in Vernon impacted Lumby and vice versa. I understood that interconnectedness, so when I became part of the business community in Vernon, it was seamless for me to become active in a way that would help.”

As soon as she purchased her business, Leroux joined the Chamber. She won a seat on the board in 2006, became second vice president in 2007 and today serves as president. She says she appreciates and enjoys her role. “I’m very motivated by the membership and my fellow board members. They’re a very inspiring group of people.”

She adds that the Chamber members are dedicated to their businesses and to the strength of the local business community. The Chamber works closely with all three levels of government and that, she says, makes the Chamber a powerful and dynamic voice for its members. Even today, with businesses all over the province experiencing a slowdown, Leroux notes that the business community in Vernon is optimistic, vibrant and united in its efforts to work as a community.

Leroux says she has no political plans at this time. Her focus is on growing her business, perhaps to include event planning at some point. She says she’s also looking forward to her work with the Chamber both now and in her next role as past president. “Part of my role will be board recruitment,” she says. “We feel very strongly about having very effective board members. We take recruitment seriously and I’m quite looking forward to that aspect of the journey as well. I want to encourage people to join.”

Harris Flowers is at 3118 – 30 Ave. in Vernon.