Show your appreciation and support us in continuing to produce high quality content by sponsoring an episode or simply "buy us a coffee" - donate here
Instant Connection is a special segment of A Friend of Mine podcast, bringing you unplanned, yet meaningful conversations with remarkable women from regional and rural Australia. In these brief but powerful episodes, host Kimberley Furness dives into candid moments and unscripted insights that shine a light on authenticity, resilience and the beauty of real-time connection. Perfect for listeners looking for quick inspiration, Instant Connection delivers insightful snapshots that resonate and inspire—no script, just pure connection.
Pictured: Sharlee Cassidy at the NSW Rural Women's Gathering . Photography by Camilla Duffy.
OAK founder + editor Kimberley Furness was recently presenting workshops at the NSW Rural Women’s Gathering in Harden Murrumburrah. As part of the workshop, Kimberley invited attendees to take the microphone and be part of a mock podcast interview.
OAK is all about amplifying women's voices and helping them gain the confidence to speak up and share their unique stories. Opportunities like these – where women can practice, get feedback, and feel supported – are rare, and it's a privilege to create that space for them.
This interview was too good to not publish. In this special, very short episode, Sharlee Cassidy shares a little insight into launching Windalee Flower Farm in the scenic Yass Valley.
Keep in mind, there was minimal prepping on both sides of the microphone, and unfortunately, we only had a small window of time.
From classroom to flower farm
Sharlee Cassidy's path to floristry, like the flowers she grows, has blossomed with love, patience and plenty of hard work.
Growing up as a farmer's daughter, Sharlee was no stranger to working the land. However, her focus was never on livestock or crops but on something more colourful.
“I always loved having my hands in the dirt, but I didn’t want to farm animals,” she shared.
Instead, flowers drew her attention, offering joy and beauty to people’s lives. This realisation and a little nudge from her husband inspired Sharlee to launch Windalee Flower Farm, officially marked with her own Australian Business Number (ABN), a “grown-up” step she says has made her dream feel truly tangible.
Sharlee’s transition to floristry wasn’t without a learning curve.
“I read a book by Erin Benzakein from Floret and eventually took her online training course."
This course covered everything from seed starting to marketing, providing Sharlee with the foundational knowledge to grow and share her flowers with others. Her dedication led to her first big break when she met Margot at Merchant Campbell in Yass.
“I mentioned I was starting a flower farm, and she said, ‘I’ll sell your flowers’."
This chance encounter blossomed into her first stockist relationship, marking a milestone in her business journey.
One of Sharlee’s most memorable experiences came from providing flowers for a friend’s wedding in Katoomba, NSW. Transporting delicate blooms across long distances and through rainy weather was no small feat. But as she handed her friend a bouquet, the “wow” moment on her friend’s face made every effort worthwhile.
“For her to go ‘wow’ when I handed her the bouquet was a moment of pride,” says Sharlee, embodying the special role florists play in people’s most cherished celebrations.
As Sharlee transitioned from her role as a teacher and mother to that of a flower farmer, she found herself grappling with imposter syndrome - a familiar feeling for many women stepping into new ventures. Reflecting on her journey, Sharlee shared how deeply her identity had been tied to her roles in teaching and motherhood.
“It’s that thing that when you’ve been a mum, your identity is very much tied up in being a mum. Who are you? I’m a mum. What do you do? I’m a teacher,” Sharlee explains.
Letting go of these long-held identifiers to become “somebody different” has been both exhilarating and intimidating for Sharlee.
“That’s a bit scary, becoming a different person, but I’m getting there slowly, but surely.”
The journey to embracing this new identity has been full of challenges, especially in learning to market her business and step into the spotlight—something she hadn’t needed to do as a teacher.
“Everyone keeps saying you’ve got to put your face on the business,” she says, noting how hard it’s been to shift from a more private lifestyle to one where she’s front and centre.
Despite these challenges, Sharlee is gradually finding confidence in her unique voice and vision. Her story is a powerful reminder that imposter syndrome often accompanies growth and change. Embracing a new identity isn’t about leaving behind past roles; it’s about evolving and bringing those experiences forward in new ways.
“It’s okay for me to be somebody different now."
A mantra for anyone navigating life’s next big step.
Throughout our conversation, one statement from Sharlee resonated deeply with the room: “Even rural women are entitled to have flowers delivered down a dirt road to their doorstep, the same as somebody else in town."
This simple, powerful sentiment could become her business’s unofficial tagline, capturing the heart of her mission to bring joy to rural communities, one bouquet at a time.
Also mentioned in this episode
Windalee Flowers - https://www.facebook.com/WindaleeFlowers/
Floret Flowers - https://www.floretflowers.com/
Merchant Campbell - https://www.facebook.com/merchantcampbell