Five Minutes With Melanie Stapleton

Melanie Stapleton is the Director of revered Melbourne floral studio, Cecilia Fox. Mel is also a much-loved mentor in our training program, Many Hands, and a strong advocate for the work we do supporting young women from refugee backgrounds to enter the workforce. The Many Hands training program provides young women who are experiencing various barriers to employment, with the opportunity to work with and learn from the industry’s best. Cecilia Fox’s floristry workshops are a firm favourite among participants. The team generously share their love for their craft, and Mel is a formidable creative talent, and inspiring role model for students. We recently caught up with Mel to chat about how Covid-19 has impacted Cecilia Fox, and her outlook for the future.

What has been the most significant change you’ve experienced since isolation?

In terms of our business, EVERYTHING has changed. We are currently 95% closed and looking at a Spring reopening and renewed Cecilia Fox. Our whole lives have been turned upside-down and as we slowly return to 'normal' I'm consciously looking at what parts of 'normal' I want to return to.  

How are you feeling about it all?

I've been through a huge gamut of emotions over this whole period. everything from grief to elation, to adept to demotivated and beyond!

What do your workdays look like?

Because we have had to for the most part close our doors, 'work' has taken on a whole new meaning and I must admit home life has been agreeing with me. I had been trying to home school my seven-year-old and manage a four-year-old, and be a good person. It was very, very challenging. Now, they are both back at kindergarten and school, so my head is somewhat clearer. 

We’re obsessed with good morning and night routines at the moment! Any advice
to share?

Generally, I'm not really one for routines, however, over the last fortnight or so I've been getting up at 6am, doing a short yoga practice and a meditation, and getting school lunches in order and the kitchen clean before I turn on the heating and wake the kids up. I'm a morning person so it makes sense for me. Night times I inevitably fall asleep fully clothed while reading in bed or reading my kids to sleep. 

What’s helping you to stay inspired?

To be honest it's pretty tough to stay inspired right now. The seasons and being immersed in them always gives me so much energy. The natural world, love, friends all help me to stay motivated.

What do you feel hopeful about?

I feel really hopeful for a slower world, one where we care less about things and more about people and our planet.