09/01/2026
🌸 Meet Michelle Leimbach — Co-Owner of Butchart Flowers 🌸
Sometimes, the things we end up doing in life have been a part of us all along. For me, that has always been my love of flowers and plants.
My husband, John, and I have had the privilege of owning Butchart Flowers since October 2018. It’s hard to believe how quickly the years have gone by and how much this little flower shop has become such a meaningful part of our lives.
I graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communications and Public Relations from Missouri Western State University. My career before Butchart Flowers was primarily in marketing and sales, where I had the opportunity to work for several large companies and receive extensive training and experience. I never imagined at the time how those experiences would eventually lead me to owning a flower shop.
But my love for flowers started long before my career.
I grew up surrounded by people who loved plants and flowers. My grandmother, my mother, and my sisters all shared that same passion. Some of my earliest memories are connected to flowers, plants, and the joy they can bring to people. I guess you could say it’s something that has always been in my heart. 🌿
For a number of years, I had the opportunity to do marketing for Gary Butchart. During that time, I became even more familiar with the business and the people who made Butchart Flowers special. Then one day, Gary asked me if I would ever be interested in buying the flower shop.
I remember thinking about it and realizing that maybe this was something that was meant to be.
My background in marketing and sales, combined with a lifelong love of flowers and plants, made Butchart Flowers feel like a natural fit. John and I took the leap, and in October 2018, we became the owners.
It has been quite a journey since then—one filled with hard work, learning, wonderful customers, beautiful flowers, and so many special moments. We have had the honor of creating flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, celebrations, and the countless little moments when someone simply wanted to let another person know they were thinking of them. 💐
And after all these years, my favorite part of the job is still designing floral bouquets.
There is something special about taking individual flowers and greenery and turning them into something beautiful and meaningful for someone. I love knowing that what I create may become part of a memory that someone holds onto for years.
I am incredibly grateful that something I have loved since I was a little girl has become my career and that I get to share it with our customers every day.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Butchart Flowers, trusted us with your special occasions, and allowed us to be a small part of your lives. We truly couldn't do this without you. ❤️
— Michelle
Butchart Flowers