The Flower Blog

For 14 years, Rachel has been an important part of the Gillespie Florists family, sharing her talents in so many ways — from caring for plants and designing fresh flowers to helping with organization, deliveries, and everything in between.

What started as helping out during Valentine’s Day quickly blossomed into a career she loves, and we’re so thankful she never left!

Rachel’s favorite flower is the classic hot pink rose, a bloom that fits her bright and vibrant personality perfectly. Her favorite part of working at Gillespie Florists is being able to help customers through life’s happiest celebrations, as well as its most difficult moments. She also treasures the friendships she’s built with her coworkers, who have become like a second family.

When it comes to design, Rachel especially enjoys creating holiday-themed arrangements and helping coordinate special events. She loves bringing seasonal beauty to life and helping make meaningful occasions feel even more special.

One of Rachel’s favorite memories at Gillespie Florists happened during the COVID pandemic. While only a small group of employees were working during that time, the experience brought everyone closer together and strengthened the family atmosphere that makes our shop so special.

Rachel truly shines during Valentine’s Day season. It may be one of the busiest times of the year, but she loves the challenge and the feeling of seeing what the team can accomplish together. Her favorite arrangement on our website is “Dreams from the Heart.”

Outside the shop, Rachel enjoys spending time at Raccoon Lake, tending to her flower gardens, and making memories with family and friends. And if you’ve ever worked a busy holiday at Gillespie, you know one of Rachel’s most appreciated talents is her famous potato bar! During our busiest seasons, the team always looks forward to the delicious meal she prepares to keep everyone fueled, happy, and smiling.

Rachel’s dedication, hard work, creativity, and kindness have made a lasting impact on our team and our customers. Thank you, Rachel, for 14 wonderful years of service, friendship, and for helping make Gillespie Florists feel like home.

Click the Names below to learn more about our staff!

Sarah

Tyler

Della

Duane

Sheila

Autumn

Jackalyn 

🌸 The Faces of Gillespie Florists 🌸

Meet Becky: Helping Love Stories Bloom, One Wedding at a Time

Ever wonder who's behind some of the breathtaking wedding flowers at Gillespie Florists? We'd love to introduce you to Becky Kirschman — one of our talented Floral Designers and Wedding Specialists!

Becky has been part of the Gillespie Florists family for four years, bringing creativity, heart, and artistry to every arrangement she designs. She has a special passion for weddings, creating everything from lush bridal bouquets to meaningful corsages that become part of a couple's most cherished memories.

Her journey into floristry happened by chance. In 2018, after Harrison College closed, Becky found herself looking for a new career path. She accepted a floral design position at another local flower shop with no prior experience, quickly discovering a passion for the creativity, beauty, and meaning that flowers bring to life's biggest moments. The rest, as they say, is history.

🌟 Becky's Favorites

• Flowers: Pink Ice Protea, Queen & King Protea, Celosia, and Amaranthus
• Designs: Weddings and bridal florals
• Favorite season to design for: Wedding season 💍🌿
• Arrangement on our website: Annika

When asked what she loves most about working at Gillespie Florists, Becky shared that her favorite part is helping bring joy to couples on one of the most important days of their lives. Whether it's an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, she loves knowing her flowers become part of memories that last forever.

💡 A Passion for Meaningful Moments

For Becky, flowers are about so much more than beautiful arrangements—they're part of life's most meaningful celebrations. Every bouquet, boutonniere, and centerpiece is an opportunity to help tell a couple's unique love story, and that's what inspires her every day.

📚 Outside the Shop

When she's not designing, Becky enjoys tabletop gaming, reading, and attending plays and live performances with friends.

She is also a passionate advocate for suicide prevention and awareness, honoring the memory of her late brother through compassion, understanding, and helping others.

We're incredibly grateful to have Becky's creativity, kindness, and dedication as part of the Gillespie Florists family. Her thoughtful designs and caring spirit help make so many of life's biggest moments even more beautiful. 💗🌸

Click the Names below to learn more about our staff!

Sarah

Tyler

Della

Duane

Sheila

Autumn

Jackalyn 

Click the Names below to learn more about our staff!

Sarah Tyler

Duane Kayleigh Sheila

Autumn

🌼 Faces of Gillespie Florists: Meet Autumn! 🌼

This month, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Autumn, one of our talented floral designers who has been adding her creativity and bright spirit to Gillespie Florists for the past four years.

Whether she’s crafting thoughtful tributes or designing cheerful everyday arrangements, Autumn brings artistry, heart, and genuine care to everything she creates.

🌸 Get to Know Autumn

✨ Favorite Flower: Ranunculus — those delicate layers get her every time.
✨ Go-To Arrangement: Designer’s Choice. She loves the freedom to let the flowers—and inspiration—guide her.
✨ What She Loves Most: Sharing joy. For Autumn, every design is a chance to brighten someone’s day while expressing her creativity.

🌿 Her Design Passions

Autumn has a special talent for creating casket sprays and meaningful funeral designs. Honoring loved ones through flowers is something she approaches with compassion and intention, making each piece unique and heartfelt.

🌼 Her Floral Journey

Her start in floral design began nine years ago when a friend mentioned a job opening at a local florist. That simple tip set her on a path that eventually led her to us—and we’re so glad it did!

🌄 Life Outside the Shop

When she’s not designing, you’ll find Autumn exploring the outdoors on a good hike or playing bass guitar. She’s also currently studying Business Administration at Ivy Tech, adding even more to her already impressive skill set.

Help us celebrate Autumn and the beauty, care, and creativity she brings to our team and our community every single day! 💐💛

Want to learn more about the Faces of Gillespie Florists? Click the names below!

Sarah      Tyler

Duane    Kayleigh  Sheila

🌸 The Faces of Gillespie Florists 🌸

Say hello to Sheila Wise, one of our incredible floral designers — or as she likes to call herself, “floral designer extraordinaire.”

Sheila has been part of the Gillespie Florists family for 16 years, and we truly can’t imagine the shop without her!

Her favorite blooms? White roses, white peonies, and mink protea — timeless, elegant, and full of personality, just like her designs.

When asked what she loves most about working at Gillespie, Sheila shared:

“The people — most of us are like family. We can get mad, poke fun at each other, and it’s all good the next minute. We hold each other up when needed.”

Sheila has a special place in her heart for funeral work, where her empathy and artistry shine as she helps bring comfort through flowers. Her floral journey began over 30 years ago, when she started helping friends and family with weddings and funerals — until one day, a shop owner recognized her natural talent and hired her on the spot!

As for her favorite Gillespie memory?

“During my interview, I was joking around and being super sarcastic with someone in the design room — not realizing he was the owner! I thought I’d blown it, but he insisted they hire me… and here I am, all these years later!”

When she’s not designing stunning arrangements like her favorite, ‘Warmest Remembrance,’ you’ll find Sheila remodeling her house, camping, or spending time with her beloved dogs. Around the shop, she’s affectionately known as our resident “vet/nurse,” always ready to lend a hand (or a bandage).

Sheila believes that “people are put in your life when needed — either for you or for them.” We couldn’t agree more.

💐 Join us in celebrating Sheila — 16 years of creativity, compassion, and humor at Gillespie Florists!

Want to learn more about the Faces of Gillespie Florists? Click the names below!

Sarah      Tyler

Duane    Kayleigh

"Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet."
— Colette

Our customers find more than flowers when they visit our store! We have delightful dogs who bring smiles and chuckles whenever they are in the building. If you haven't met them in person, plan a visit to meet one (or more) of our beloved mascots. Till then take a moment to learn more about our furry friends who frequent the store, ask for belly rubs, ear scritches and all the love and hugs they can get. 

***SPECIAL NOTE****If you would prefer to have your shopping experience mascot free,
call us at 317.273.1100 and we will have our furry friends take a break in the back.

Meet Minnie Pearl

Minnie Pearl (often referred to as Minnie) is our newest English Bull addition to the Gillespie Florist Family!
She has been learning the ropes from her big sister Evie. Minnie is super playful and very sweet. She enjoys spending lots of time with Mom and Dad, walking, exploring and playing with family.

Evie!

Evie has been with us a few years and learned the ins and outs of being a perfect mascot under the constant tutelage of big sister Pearl. Evie is also one for adventure. She is very courageous and very gentle. Before Evie joined the family we invited our friends and fans to vote on her name. It was a very exciting experience with so many excellent names from which to choose. We are happy Evie was the most popular vote, we can't imagine calling her anything else.

Sawyer

Next up is the super cute Sawyer! Half Yorkie, half Pekingese/Dachshund and 100% Princess! Sawyer may be a diva but we don't mind, her superpower is looking ADORABLE all the time. She can often be found snoozing on top of desks, under feet or following her second favorite human (Sarah) around the store. Sawyer may be small but her personality is mighty. She gives Minnie and Evie and run for their money and often stops everyone in their tracks due to her charm.

Tula, Juno and Bose

Next up are a few Great Danes who often ride with Pat while he takes deliveries. Tula is the youngest of the bunch. She is very playful and loves to lean in for back pats. Juno is the eldest and loves to shake hands. Bose is a most handsome boy and loves to keep Susan company at home. While at the store these gentle giants spend most of their time in Pat's van or resting outside in the sunshine. This terrific trio does not often visit but when they do, rest assured they're here to help Pat get back on the road so he can treat them to dinner on the way home.

Pictured: Tula with Pat
Pictured Below: Juno with the bespeckled Bose 

We have more furry friends to introduce. Be sure to check our social media pages for Furbaby Fridays, when we share updates on the entire crew!

Miss out seeing Minnie and Evie on your last visit? We've got links for you follow them and their family adventures below!

Evie and Minnie Pearl on Twitter at Bulldog Evie & Minnie Pearl

***SPECIAL NOTE****If you would prefer to have your shopping experience mascot free, call us at 317.273.1100 and we will have our furry friends take a break in the back.