Everything's Rosie
Allow me to introduce Rosie Barrett, the twinkle toes fairy behind the horticultural haven that is ‘By Just Rosie.’
Clever little Rosie (and she is clever) used to work in Finance, but her sheer love of plants, combined with recognising a gap in the London market for gorgeous garden greenery, meant that she soon threw her Casio calculator out of the window, donned a (very cosy) hat and whisked herself off to the Partridges Food Market on the Duke of York Square, where she can now be found every Saturday surrounded by vibrant heathers, herbs and erm, reindeers. (True).
No stranger to markets, Rosie’s dad and gramps also worked on stalls in London, so she’s taken to it like a duck to water. Her stall boasts rich colours and textures and proves that any London home with even the weeniest teeniest bit of outside space, can be bright and beautiful for Christmas.
Here is my little interview with Rosie. (Told you she was clever.)
What made you choose plants?
I love being outdoors and it reminds me of being out in the garden with my Father as a child. A lot of people assume that if you do not have a garden then plants are out of the question, but it’s not true! I love plants and they can be indoors and outdoors – I wanted to share the passion with the rest of London.
What is the thing you like least about your work?
There is nothing worse than working in the pouring rain – it puts everyone around you in a bad mood and the day feels twice as long. Given we live England we have to put up with a lot of rain too!
What advice would you give to someone who’d like to have their own business?
Passion, drive and courage. It is hard hard work, so you better love and have a passion for what you do. There is no time for being lazy either so you do have to be highly motivated otherwise the job simply doesn’t get done. If you want something enough, believe in yourself, have the courage and you can do it.
What is your favourite item of clothing?
My alpaca hat has been a life saver this winter, it is so warm. The ladies of the Kings Road love it too as I am always asked where is it from.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Maths. I had a fantastic teacher at school and if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have go on to University to study it either. Thank you Mr Shackleton!
Who is your hero?
Martha Stewart – she is what I aspire to (apart from the part of her life spent in jail for lying about insider trading!). I grew up reading her books on home living and interiors, not only that but she is a talented business woman.
What is the one thing we should know about Rosie Barrett?
Self confessed maths geek – I studied Mathematics at St Andrews University in Scotland and loved every minute of it!
