Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern and Gainesville High School senior Ben Jessup

Meet Shelby Bright! Shelby is the co-owner of The Fresh Bloom in Gainesville. Shelby’s sister, Sara Bagley co-owns the floral shop located on Thompson Bridge Road. The Fresh Bloom is a modern floral shop in Gainesville, that offers a flower bar, bridal and event services and much more.

We want to thank Shelby for spending us time with us recently and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.

Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?

Answer: “About four years ago I attended a girls night workshop  in a little flower shop in Nashville, and had a great time and didn’t think anything of it. When I decided to move home, back to Gainesville where I’m from, my sister Sarah and I brainstormed about what we could do next, and we decided we would try a flower shop. So, I started going to school in New York and took different classes and fell in love with it, and it kind of flourished from there.”

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there? 

A: “It’s a tie. I love the blackened Mahi Mahi tacos from Scott’s Lounge, and I love the Avocado Chicken Quesadilla from 2 Dog.”

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?

A: “We moved to Gainesville when I was two. I went to middle and high school at Chestatee, and went to Brenau. Then I left when I graduated there in 2014 and moved to Nashville. I lived there for about five years. Then I returned to Gainesville in February of 2019 and we opened the flower shop in April of 2019.”

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County and why? 

A: “One person that sticks out is Emmy Howard, she was my advisor at Brenau when I was an Alpha Chi (Omega). She has continued to be such a strong influence in my life since I graduated seven years ago. She’s always been there, always been supportive, has such a strong business background, always knows what to say and what advice to give.”

Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?

A: “I played basketball a lot, so something in regards to basketball, or going to the beach with my family.”

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

A: “I would say Australia. Melbourne is my favorite city. It kind of has beach and city life, and great food so I would say Melbourne, Australia.”

Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?

A: “‘Titanic,’ and I fell asleep.”

Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?

A: “As cheesy as it is, to follow your dreams. Because that will make you the happiest and we only got one shot, so we have to be happy while we are living it.”

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: “To go to The Maldives.”

Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?

A: “I think my favorite band would be Matchbox 20.”

Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County and why?

A: “I would say Green’s Grocery. It’s a staple.”

Q: Choosing anyone (past or present and a non-relative), with whom would you love to have lunch?  And where locally would you have this lunch?

A: “I would say probably Blake Lively because she’s my favorite actress. And I’d take her to 2 Dog.”

Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?

A: “I love that it is just a small tight knit community and people really understand the importance of shopping local and making a difference here among your peers. I think what we realized here during COVID is that people pull together to support local businesses.”

Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?

A: “Definitely still here in Gainesville, and hopefully with a very successful business with a larger shop. I think having an event team and a flower shop team that are two separate entities instead of us trying to do everything.”

Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

A: “I would say people probably don’t know how much I’ve traveled. I think that comes to a surprise to a bunch of people and the different countries that I’ve gone to.”

Q: What three words mean “Home” to you?

A: “Laughter, Safe, and Warm.”

Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

A: “Margot Robbie for the female, Ryan Reynolds as the male.”

Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? 

A: “Chef, for sure, I hate cooking and I’m not good at it.”