Allen Beck: A GROWING JOURNEY

Submitted by: Gerry Toh AIFD

As an avid florist, Allen Beck started, as many of us did, at the bottom of the flower shop chain. As a driver, or flower processer. Hard work did not deter him and eventually, his love of flowers led him into the art associated with this beautiful organic medium. Being in the right place and right time and grabbing at opportunities that presented themselves to him, he has been exposed both to exquisite floral art and celebrities that appreciated them and could afford the very best. In the years that followed, Allen had the reached the heights of a recognized, even famous floral artist and in the association of fellow designers working within the nurturing environment of AIFD; he parlayed this talent into a thriving business twice! I recall, one day a long time ago, in the flower market in Los Angeles, while I was taking a competitive stance in relation to our businesses, he put his hand on my shoulder in a friendly way and said, ‘you and me are going to have a seat and a cup of coffee and become friends’. We have been ever since. Today, this kind soul, after seeing it all and being everywhere metaphorically, he is content to experience the golden life of leisure and the exploration of his desires that had to probably be put aside during his business active period. I hope you will enjoy reading about his floral life journey, his new life of adventure in far off places and close to home projects where his love of plants and flowers still hold sway. 

How did you get into floristry?

As a boy my favorite escape was the wooded area on our family farm.  Under the oak and hickory trees there were always wild flowers, berries, and vines that I would gather and take home and put in water.  A few years later in my early teens I broadened my gathering to my mother’s garden and flower beds.  My need to cut flowers and put them in vases grew until about 15 when my Mom had had it!   Seldom to raise her voice, one day she got a little upset with me and stated, ”I can’t have any flowers in my garden that you don’t pick”.  She turned around and called the local flower shop and asked them if they had a job where I could work with flowers.  “Not unless he has a driver’s license” was the answer.  However six months later the flower shop called back and asked if I had that license yet and if I could start working the next day.   It was Easter week 1969.  

What did you like about it?

Although my main job was delivering flowers,  I was eager to assist and learn everything I could.  The two ladies that ran the shop saw my eagerness and on my third day they showed me how to make a corsage bow.  That night they sent me home with 6 or 7 bolts of ‘off color’ ribbon.  The next day I returned with 350 perfectly made bows.  They regretted they hadn’t sent me home with ribbon colors they could use.  Having witnessed my desire to learn,  the ladies would save old flowers and let me stay after work to practice.   I would open the FTD selection guide and copy the designs.  In the fall of 1970, I enrolled in the Floriculture program at Michigan State University.

What was your favorite job in your career in floristry?

I loved owning my own business for thirty years, but my favorite job was working in Studio City, CA for a year.   The shop had many Studio and celebrity clients.  Especially fun were the many celebrities that would walk in the shop and also working in their homes.

What did you do when you quit it

At 53 years old I closed my business in Newport Beach, California and moved to Ohio in 2005.  I lived there six years and spent much of my time creating a garden paradise and enjoying my Koi pond that I had put in the back yard.   I returned to California in 2011 and reopened my business on a limited ‘concierge’ basis to my previous customers.

How did you come to retire (again)

My second retirement decision came to me while installing the flowers for a charity group at a local Newport Beach Museum. The committee of twelve started to move all the centerpieces and change the ‘plan’ I had designed. Suddenly it came to mind, ‘I’m done!’ and I knew it was time to retire for good.  I liquidated my inventory and two months later I traveled to Spain and Italy for six months.   When I returned I moved to a condo I owned in Palm Springs, CA

What are some new adventures in work or hobby you took up?

During the 30 years I owned my retail shop I had a home on a half-acre in North Tustin, CA.  On off market days I would get up at sunrise and spend time in the garden until it was time to go to work.   It was my passion, my therapy, and my thinking time alone.  The passion for gardening and growing orchids has continued to be my passion and hobby.  

What did you like about this new work or hobby?

For me, gardening has been a lifelong passion and has provided great satisfaction when the garden produces and offers great bounties.

What advantages did your experiences in your career bring to your new work or hobby?

I remember discovering new flower varieties at the flower market and I would research and locate the plant or seeds to grow in my garden.  The greater the challenge finding and growing particular plants the more interesting it was.

What parallels do you see in both past career and new hobby or work?

Simply, my career and my hobby have been about flowers and plants and the joy of creating palettes of colors and patterns in the Earth.

How are you liking retirement and your new work or hobby?

In 2020 I made the decision to move to Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.  My Pueblo, Ajijic, sits on Mexico’s largest inland lake at an altitude of 5200 feet above sea level.    The climate in Ajijic is considered one of the top five best in the World.   Daily temperatures range from 70-90 degrees with moderate to low humidity and the perfect setting for gardening.   My home has an entry courtyard, a large second floor terrace and a Mirador (roof top) where I have a container garden.   In less than two years I have gathered a large Orchid collection including a Vanilla Orchid vine which produced two bloom clusters this past February.  I grow Lobster Claw and hanging Heliconia, many types of Ginger, Antheriums, Roses, Stephanotis, Hoyas, and many plants that are only found in Mexico.

Any takeaways on retirement and living the new life? Retire when your heart tells you that you have done it all and you are ready.  As a ‘Wanderlust’ type of personality,  I was always looking for a new adventure.   I found my new life in Mexico and have not looked  back.   I have never been happier and love each precious day. My new passion is hiking 2-3 times a week in the mountains and waterfalls above my village.