About Us
Four Buds Floral Studio is Rhode Island’s first and only worker-owned flower shop.
We believe a top-tier, full-service floral studio can be a worker-owned space that helps a community grow and flourish.
Our team has nearly five decades of combined experience in the floral industry--yet this is the first time we’ve had any power or control in our workplaces. We have worked in flower shops focused solely on profit, even at the expense of the quality of the work, the treatment of the workers, and concern for the environmental impact of the global floral industry.
So, we’re changing the landscape.
We’re a worker-owned, democratic workplace.
We're providing opportunities for new generational wealth and job stability.
We’re focused on sustainability and using locally-grown flowers whenever possible.
We're making stunning floral arrangements and botanical works of art.
We’re fostering a space to celebrate and support local artists.
How can a flower shop do all that? Well, worker-owned cooperative businesses have proven to be an effective tool for creating and maintaining sustainable, dignified jobs; generating wealth; improving the quality of life of workers; and promoting community and local economic development--particularly for people who lack access to business ownership or even sustainable work options. You can learn more about the benefits of co-ops here.
Nicky Borden
(they/them)
Community and Administrative Director
Nicky is a printmaker and illustrator who grew up about 30 minutes over the state line and has been living in Providence since 2015. They are a MassArt grad and a former elementary school art teacher. They’ve been working in the floral industry since 2019.
Nicky is the resident Plant Dad of the Four Buds crew as well as the studio’s Official People Person.
Their motivation: community connections and the representation of local makers, growers, and artisans
Rachel Chevrette
(she/her)
Design Director and Floral Artist
Rachel has been a floral artist since 2001. She has a BFA from UConn and her visual art has always been grounded in nature, full of texture, and detail-oriented. Once she figured out she could get paid to use flowers to make beautiful things everyday, she knew she’d found her ideal career.
From running several flower shops all over New England to working independently with brides to create unique and stunning weddings, Rachel’s experience and passion are self-evident in her work.
Her motivation: artistic freedom and self-determination
Elisa Nieves
(she/her)
Botanical Director and Floral Artist
Elisa is originally from Buffalo, New York where she earned a design degree. She’s been working as a floral designer for five years in Rhode Island and has worked for several top-tier shops. Besides making beautiful things with flowers, she’s also passionate about the power contained in all things that grow. She’s herbalist-in-training and works on a local herbal farm.
Her motivation: her son
L. Villegas
(she/they)
Organizing Director and Floral Artist
L is a recovering professional theater actor originally from Los Angeles. L used to spend time between acting gigs making custom paper flower bouquets for brides all over the globe. Since leaving the theater industry they transitioned into working with real flowers in 2019 and haven’t looked back.
A former elected officer for Actors’ Equity Association national labor union, L is an outspoken cheerleader for all things organized labor. She double majored in Opera Performance and American Cultural Studies at Northwestern University.
Their motivation: worker rights and democratic workplaces