A few years ago, 1-800-Flowers.com was going through a reorganization that involved three important projects. My brother Chris, who was CEO at the time, and I assigned a different leader to each one. Not long after, someone on the team asked us, “Did you do that on purpose?”
I wasn’t sure what she meant at first. Then she explained: “You gave the three most important projects to three working moms.”
It hadn’t been a conscious strategy. But once she pointed it out, I could see what swayed us: All three employees brought a clear sense of what mattered, the confidence to make decisions, and the ability to keep a lot of moving parts moving in the right direction.
All those qualities are familiar to anyone who’s watched a mother raise a family. Motherhood requires judgment, patience, flexibility, and the ability to think about today while also keeping an eye on what comes next.
With Mother’s Day just a few weeks away, I was reminded of this story and of the impact moms have within their own families, the workplace, and the wider world. Mother’s Day may be the occasion, but the truth is that moms give us reasons to celebrate them all year long.
What makes moms amazing
Most of us have a deeply personal story about our mothers. She’s the one who showed up no matter what we did, often before anyone even had to ask. In so many cases, she wanted everything for you and very little for herself.
Raising a family calls for millions of decisions. What needs attention right now? What can wait until later? What happens if something gets missed? Day after day, mothers make those judgments, finding a way to keep things moving.
Moms are amazing because they adapt, repeatedly, to whatever life throws at them, including the challenges we, their children, create along the way. What makes that so inspiring is the way they overcome obstacles with love, patience, and selflessness.
As Chris and I came to see, those qualities often reach far beyond the home. More often than not, the story of how they lead, guide, and hold people together is an inspiring one.
Meet four Amazing Moms
One of the greatest honors of my life has been helping millions of people express their love and appreciation for their mothers. Along the way, many of you have shared the stories behind those gifts and the reasons your moms are so amazing.
Inspired by the themes that come through again and again, this year we’re highlighting four women who reflect some of the qualities people so often associate with motherhood: care, thoughtfulness, connection, and celebration.
In the weeks ahead, you’ll be seeing them across our emails and social media. I’m excited to introduce you to them here:
Ashley understands how closely motherhood is tied to both joy and loss. That perspective shapes her work as a florist and the founder of Watch Love Grow, where she supports bereaved mothers through flowers and small acts of care.
A mother of four, Ashley shows up in moments that are difficult to put into words. Her work reflects an understanding of what people need when they’re hurting.
Jacquelyn sees how everyday moments can be elevated through a bit of care and attention.
As an event designer, this mother of two creates experiences that feel personal and memorable. What stands out is her ability to turn something ordinary into something worth remembering, helping people pause and appreciate the moment in front of them.
As a mother to Jett, Presley, and Lennox, Kara understands how much meaning can live in small, intentional moments.
In her role as senior vice president of merchandising at 1-800-Flowers.com, she thinks carefully about how a gesture is received. Timing, intention, and context all matter. Her perspective reflects a belief that even the simplest act can carry weight when it’s done thoughtfully.
As a mother to Charlotte and Victoria, Lauren has seen how connection often begins with simply bringing people together.
Through her work as the creator of The Curious Plate, she uses food as a way to create space for others. Her approach is welcoming and unpretentious, focused less on presentation and more on how people feel when they sit down at the table.
A moment to reflect
Ashley, Jacquelyn, Kara, and Lauren beautifully exemplify the role mothers play within their own families and across our entire community. Through their persistence and the wisdom of motherhood, they’re making the world a better place.
While I’ve shared only four stories today, I know there are millions of others waiting to be told. I’d love to hear yours.
