From Growing Up Together to Growing a Business Together: How Canadian Floral Company Golden August Leveraged Friendship

Starting a brand with a close friend is something many people only dream about, but few have the determination. For Adrianna Lindemulder and Alysha Kuhn that dream became a reality when they started their Canadian-based floral company Golden August. 

“We met when we were 13, and have been best friends ever since,” explained Lindemulder, “then we both got married the same year and we started having kids at the same time.” While Lindemulder and Kuhn have been best friends for 17 years, they did not initially plan to go into business with one another. 

“We were just drawn to each other for some reason and have been friends ever since, so it's been pretty fun doing all these different adventures together,” Kuhn said.

As the pair got older, they noticed a growing trend surrounding eucalyptus, so began planning pop-up parties in Kuhn’s basement where they sold eucalyptus among family and friends. With that, their brand was born under its original name: Eucalyptus Pop Up. 

“It just kind of happened organically, so we ran with it and started to develop a passion for florals and eucalyptus,” said Lindemulder.

As time went on, Lindemulder and Kuhn began noticing a new home decor trend: dried florals. It was at that moment when they discovered pampas grass, and began to shift their business towards selling more dried florals and pampas grass over time than eucalyptus.

“Our brand changed, and we weren't so much selling eucalyptus anymore” explained Lindemulder, “we felt like we were more than just Eucalyptus Pop Up, so we recently rebranded to Golden August so that we could sell pampas grass, dried florals, bouquets, work in weddings etc. It just made us broader.”             

According to Kuhn, the shift towards dried florals, and the eventual rebranding, allowed the business to ship their products across Canada and the United States, and no longer mislead people with the name Eucalyptus Pop Up. “We weren't really doing eucalyptus anymore, and we weren't really doing pop ups anymore either, so we decided it would be nice to rebrand with something that isn't so specific sounding,” said Kuhn. 

The name Golden August came about after tireless brainstorming between the pair, who eventually decided to center their brand’s name around a feeling they wanted to evoke.

For Lindemulder, “when you think about being in the summertime around golden hour, that feeling is what we wanted our brand to feel like. So Golden August is how it came to be, it was just the feeling of golden hour in August.”

For Lindemulder and Kuhn, maintaining their relationship as best friends has allowed the two to succeed in all of their endeavors with the business, whether it’s rebranding, sharing responsibilities, or balancing the delicate acts of parenthood and entrepreneurship. 

“I always say there’s no one else I could have ever done this business with, it had to have been her,” said Lindemulder regarding Kuhn. “We just became like family and that doesn't really change, so even as we got older, that bond that we solidified so well when we were younger, has only gotten stronger.”

Kuhn describes the work-life balance as “tricky because you definitely get mom guilt a lot, and it's hard because [work] is at our fingertips on our phone all day.” However, both Lindemulder and Kuhn approach their business relationship with a mutual understanding that being a mother and running a small business comes with its fair share of challenges. “We have this complete understanding that there is no expectation on each other,” said Lindemulder, “we both always agree that we’re moms first, and then best friends, and then Golden August is next.”

“It’s a lot of late nights,” explained Lindemulder, “and it's a rollercoaster of emotions, so trying to help each other out and encouraging each other is really important.”

Aside from being best friends, Lindemulder and Kuhn’s shared passion for dried florals and unique style has allowed Golden August to flourish throughout the company’s lifetime. The two are careful to ensure that all of their products reflect positively on their business through quality checks and diligent product sourcing. 

“If it’s something that I wouldn’t want, or Alysha wouldn’t want, then it wouldn’t really fly well on our website,” Lindemulder noted. “With pampas grass and dried florals, and that style, we just want to make sure that it’s something that we would love, because we put our name on it.” 

Lindemulder and Kuhn have grown closer through the experience of sharing a business together, and aim to share their wealth of knowledge with other emerging business owners and entrepreneurs. 

“There are going to be a lot of ups and downs, and it’s okay to have those downs. Whether it’s slow sales, or you just don’t feel inspired on certain days, don’t get too discouraged. Just keep persevering and try to gain inspiration from other places,” said Kuhn.

“If you have an idea in your head and you’re shy about it or a little unsure, I would really encourage you to just give it a try,” added Lindemulder. “Even if it scares you, it’s probably a good thing and something you should explore.”

Looking toward the future, Lindemulder and Kuhn will remain a sign to those dreaming of starting a business with their best friend, that taking a leap of faith can become one of the best decisions you choose to make. In this sense, Golden August remains a constant example of what can blossom out of a combination of passion, dedication, and determination.

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