Building Something to Last

Looking back on 2025, I feel so proud of what we built and even more proud of how we built it, together. Every member of our team leaned into their role in a deeper way this year, and that collective ownership made all the difference! I feel incredibly blessed to work alongside a team that is smart, deeply committed, and truly believes in the vision.

This was the year Stemz began to feel less like a scrappy startup (still sort of scrappy 😉) and more like a company building something that can truly last.

Wins That Shaped Us in 2025…

There were moments that required slowing down, trusting the process, and making decisions that didn’t always bring immediate wins, but felt right deep down. We were intentional about the people we brought in, the systems we built, and the markets we leaned into. And in doing so, we gained clarity, confidence, and a stronger sense of who we are and where we’re headed.

Here are a few wins from the year that shaped Stemz in a meaningful way…

1. A New Winston-Salem Distribution Hub

Relocating our Winston-Salem hub was a HUGE step forward. It forced us to look closely at every part of our operation – from receiving and sorting to loading – and ask a hard but necessary question: Can this actually be replicated?

Some weeks felt messy. Some weeks felt magical. But each week in operations gave us more understanding of what we need and confidence that we’re building a scalable company. This hub became our testing ground, our classroom, and ultimately our blueprint for what future hubs can look like.

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2. Charleston, SC | Proof That the Model Works

We launched the Charleston route in early 2025 and it grew to become our most successful route to date!  It was deeply validating to see it take shape. Operationally, it wasn’t simple. It required real problem-solving, flexibility, and a willingness to pivot more than once. But we stayed with it, learned quickly, and made it work. Huge credit goes to Calypso for pulling the pieces together, and to Jack and Liam for showing up week after week and tackling the long drive with consistency and grit.

What made Charleston truly special was how everything finally aligned. Strong demand and deeply committed customers met reliable supply and improved logistics, and the result was something powerful. Watching the Charleston route thrive was a reminder of why we do this work in the first place: fresh, regional flowers moving efficiently from field to designer.  It fills me with excitement for where this momentum will take us next.

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3. Being Named a NC IDEA Rural Impact Grant Recipient

Receiving the NC IDEA Rural Impact Grant this year meant more to me than I can easily put into words. It was true validation that the impact of our work reaches far beyond any single market or route.

Stemz was built on the belief that there had to be a more efficient way to sell, distribute, and grow – one that truly strengthens the cut flower supply chain and supports the farmers at its core. This grant wasn’t just financial support; it was a powerful signal that the work we’re doing to uplift farmers and rural communities is being seen and valued.

The funding gave us the bandwidth to keep investing in systems that serve growers for the long term, and for that, we are deeply grateful. We’re incredibly thankful for the continued support of NC IDEA.

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4. Growing Our Team

Hiring is never something I take lightly, especially as a founder. Jenna joined us at a pivotal moment and immediately brought thoughtfulness, care, and strong relationship-building to our customers. She helped us grow without losing the personal connection that makes Stemz what it is.

Hiring Jenna created space for something really meaningful to happen!  It allowed Margo to step fully into her strength, focusing on client & data management.  I learned that when people are given the space to work in their zone of genius, incredible things happen.

With that focus, Margo built powerful, in-house data systems that allow us to truly understand our business and move forward with clarity and confidence. For me, this was a rewarding lesson this year: recognizing and unveiling the unique gifts of our team members, and watching both the people and the company grow because of it. 

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5. A Local Pitch Win!

Ending the year with a local pitch competition win was a real boost, especially after a year of behind-the-scenes work.

Pitching forces you to distill everything you’ve been building into a few minutes, and this win reminded me that our story resonates. Not just because of what we’ve accomplished, but because of how we’re doing it: thoughtfully, data-driven, and rooted in real relationships.

I also had the unique opportunity to pitch alongside my co-founder, Claire, which made the experience especially meaningful. It was a fun, collaborative moment for the entire team and a great reminder of why we started this journey together.

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What 2025 Taught Me

This year confirmed something I’ve believed for a long time: growth only works when the foundation is solid.

As we head into 2026, our focus is clear: build systems that can be replicated, support farms sustainably, and grow without losing what makes Stemz special. We’re still early, and there’s so much more to do, but 2025 gave us the confidence that we’re on the right path.

Thank you to our farmers, customers, team, advisors, and community for walking this road with us. I’m deeply grateful & incredibly excited for what’s ahead.

Warmly,
Amy