The BC Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) has named Jeff O'Brien, MBA, the founder of Brands in Blooms, as its 2025 Educator of the Year. This award honors an individual who goes above and beyond to educate both the horticulture industry and the public about the value of plants and gardening.
"This award means so much to me because it represents the community I love serving," said O'Brien. "At 40, with the unwavering support and sacrifice of my wife, three kids, and my business partner, I stepped into entrepreneurship to give everything I have to garden centres. I share this honor with them and with every garden center owner who works tirelessly so others can discover the joy of plants and the magic of gardening."
© The British Columbia Landscape and Nursery Association
Jeff's career has been rooted in education from the start. His MBA dissertation on consumer behavior in the independent garden center channel inspired the launch of Brands in Blooms and the creation of the Next-Gen Masterclass, which has already equipped more than 300 garden centers across North America to attract and retain the emerging generation of gardeners. Building on this foundation, Jeff and his team have also developed technology specifically for garden centers — a CRM that manages marketing across email, text, and social through an educational storytelling framework, along with a website and e-commerce platform designed to help retailers profit from one of the industry's fastest-growing segments.
O'Brien will be honored during the BCLNA Garden Party & Member Awards on September 11, 2025, at Locality Brewing in Langley, BC.
For more information:
The British Columbia Landscape and Nursery Association
www.bclna.com
www.growwestcoast.com
