In 2017, Weber State University alum Jodi Bachman opened Floral Expressions in South Ogden. Floral Expressions is a flower store that specializes in arrangements for holidays, weddings, school dances and more.

Bachman graduated from Weber State in 2006 with an associate degree in General Studies. While attending Weber State, Bachman was a part of the dance team. Since graduating, Bachman has joined the WSU Alumni Association. During her time with the Alumni Association, she helped plan events such as a Fun Run for scholarship programs.

“I got to meet other graduates of Weber State, young and old alumni,” Bachman said. “I was able to make some connections with some really awesome people. People that helped kind of give me the courage to move on and open up my own shop.”

Bachman was first introduced to floral work in 2002. She worked as a temporary employee at a flower shop with her sister on Mother’s Day Weekend.

“I really liked it, and then they hired me on,” Bachman said. “I had just graduated high school and was going to Weber State; it was a good fit.”

Bachman first managed her flower shop from her home so she could spend time with her five children, but when the business became too much for her to handle, she knew it was time to open a location for Floral Expressions.

Floral Expressions is currently gearing up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bachman loves Christmas time because she loves the smell of the Christmas greens that come to the shop.

“We kind of go nose blind to all the flowers we are around all year long, so when the fresh greenery, Christmas greens come in, I can smell that,” Bachman said.

Helping customers give gifts during Christmas is one of Bachman’s favorite parts of the Christmas season. Another part of the holiday season that Bachman looks forward to is the Christmas Wreath workshop she puts together for customers.

While Bachman did not grow up in Ogden, it has become a city with a community she loves. Bachman enjoys how much the city has to offer, everything from the downtown area to the mountains.

While running a business and being a mom to five children can be difficult at times, Bachman said it is rewarding for her kids to see good work ethics and what it takes to run a business.

“I’m blessed to have really great employees. At times when I need to step out of the shop and be a mom, they understand that is important to me,” Bachman said. “Finding that good work-life balance is really important.”

Bachman believes the flower business is about bringing joy to people. Flowers help express emotion and bring beauty.

Bachman encourages new graduates to stand up for what they believe in and to not stand in their own way of being successful.

“Weber State was a great school for me to go to … so many amazing people in the community doing great things have gone to Weber State … be proud that you are a Wildcat,” Bachman said.