Stacked Keys Podcast
The idea to talk to women who are out there living and making a difference is where the Stacked Keys Podcast was born. There are women who make a difference, but never make a wave while paddling through life. Immediately I can think of a dozen or more who impacted me, but I want more. I want to talk to those I don't know and I want to share with an audience that might need the inspiration to find their own beat. This podcast is to feature women who are impressive in the work world-- or in raising a family -- or who have hobbies that can make us all be encouraged. Want to hear what makes these women passionate and get up in the morning or what they wish they had known earlier in life? Grab your keys and STOMP to your own drum.
Stacked Keys Podcast
Episode 220 -- Lauren Youmans -- How a Childhood Dream Became a Thriving Business During Life's Hardest Moments
Lauren Youmans never imagined her childhood dream of owning a flower shop would materialize after building a successful career as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Yet when life delivered a series of profound challenges—including family trauma and personal struggle—flowers became her unexpected sanctuary.
"Working with flowers was the one space where I felt most myself and felt God's presence in a very powerful way," Lauren shares. What began as arranging Trader Joe's bouquets for personal healing evolved organically into a thriving business. After neighbors noticed her talent, Lauren started selling arrangements through a neighborhood group. The turning point came after creating 18 stunning arrangements for her sister-in-law's bridal shower, when multiple guests independently suggested she teach others her craft.
From hosting monthly workshops at her neighborhood clubhouse to renting space at a downtown business incubator, Lauren's journey accelerated despite her initial reluctance. "The day I interviewed, I told them I had zero interest in opening a brick and mortar," she laughs. Yet by November 2023, she had opened Gather and Bloom, a flower shop that now showcases 17 women-owned businesses while supporting local flower farmers.
Lauren's approach to business reflects her philosophy of life: finding beauty from ashes and creating community through connection. Her store has become more than a retail space—it's a haven where customers feel seen and valued. She recounts touching a widowed customer during Valentine's rush by simply taking time to listen about her late husband, resulting in a friendship and handmade quilt that now adorns Lauren's home.
For anyone with buried dreams, Lauren offers this wisdom: "Focus on the next step, not the whole staircase." She distinguishes between merely wishing for something and taking concrete action toward making it real. "You may need people alongside you because when you forget, they can help with reframing when things get hard."
Visit Gather and Bloom in downtown Woodstock to experience the magic yourself, or follow Lauren's journey on Instagram at @bloomingwithlauren and @gatherandbloom. Whether you're seeking a beautiful arrangement or inspiration to pursue your own dream, Lauren's story reminds us that sometimes life's hardest moments can lead to our most beautiful transformations.
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff