Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Freeland.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Kristen, the face behind Bestside Blooms and the Founder of Kind Hearts Bloom. What started as a love for gardening evolved into a passion for cut flowers and floral design in 2020.
Like so many others during the pandemic, I found healing in the process of nurturing my garden when the world felt lonely and isolating. As a form of self-care, I treated myself to a store-bought bouquet on grocery runs. Soon, I was researching how to grow my own cut flowers and learning skills to create beautiful and long-lasting bouquets.
That love of flowers and their ability to bring joy eventually grew into something much bigger. I began sharing flowers with friends and neighbors, and I saw firsthand how even a simple bouquet could brighten someone’s day. I knew I wanted to find a way to make a greater impact—to bring people together through flowers and create a ripple effect of kindness in the community.
In 2023, my family and I moved to Grand Rapids after living all our lives in the South. We still miss the Sweet Tea, but we’ve found a welcoming and supportive community in West Michigan. Inspired by this new chapter, I launched Kind Hearts Bloom, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading kindness, fostering connection, and promoting mental wellness through flowers.
Through programs like Grow & Give and Neighborhood Blooms, we’re helping people grow their own flowers, food, and native plants for the purpose of sharing them with neighbors and community members in need.
What started as a personal journey of healing and creativity has now become a movement—one where flowers are more than just beautiful; they are a tool for connection, kindness, and community. I am so excited to bring beauty and connection to our neighbors and friends, and I can’t wait to see how Kind Hearts Bloom continues to grow!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has been an opportunity to learn and grow. I had no background in nonprofit formation or management when I started this journey. I just knew I wanted to make a bigger impact and bring more people into the experience of growing and giving flowers. So, I did what I could—I turned to my local library and educated myself on how to build an organization from the ground up.
Along the way, I recruited friends and fellow passionate gardeners who believed in this mission as much as I did. Together, we formed a board of directors and started shaping Kind Hearts Bloom into something truly special for our community. It was a lot of late nights, trial and error, and learning as we went.
One of the biggest milestones was in December 2024, when we officially received our 501(c)(3) status. That moment made all the hard work feel real—Kind Hearts Bloom was no longer just an idea; it was a recognized nonprofit with the ability to grow and serve the community in a lasting way.
I’m amazed at how far we’ve come in just a few short months. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. And I know for certain that none of this would have been possible without the hard work, passion, and support of the friends and community members I can count on. We’re still just getting started, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Kind Hearts Bloom, we believe that gardening has the power to bring people together, spread kindness, and improve mental wellness. Our work focuses on making gardening accessible, sustainable, and community-driven—helping people grow not just plants, but connections with their neighbors.
We specialize in community gardening initiatives that encourage people to grow and share, whether it’s flowers, herbs, or fresh food.
What I’m most proud of is how quickly our mission has resonated with people. In just a short time, we’ve built a movement of gardeners, volunteers, and community members who believe in the power of growing and giving. Whether it’s flowers for a neighbor, extra veggies for a local food pantry, or helping someone start their first garden, it’s all about fostering generosity and connection.
What sets Kind Hearts Bloom apart is our holistic approach. We’re not just about gardening—we’re about cultivating kindness and community. We integrate education, sustainability, and accessibility into our programs so that *anyone*—regardless of experience, income, or space—can take part in the joy of growing.
Another thing that makes us unique is how deeply community-driven we are. We listen to the needs of our neighbors, adapt our programs to be as inclusive as possible, and make sure every initiative fosters a sense of togetherness. Whether it’s through our raised bed initiative for urban gardeners with soil contamination concerns or providing free seeds and starter plants, we’re constantly looking for ways to make gardening more accessible to everyone.
At the heart of it all, our mission is simple: to make the world a little kinder and more connected—one garden at a time.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are many ways to get involved with Kind Hearts Bloom, whether through volunteering, sponsorship, collaboration, or donations. Volunteers can help with planting days, garden builds, distributing materials, and supporting community workshops. Our Grow & Give program provides resources for individuals to start their own gardens and share their harvest with neighbors.
Businesses and individuals can sponsor a raised bed, covering the cost of soil and materials for families in urban areas with soil contamination concerns—sponsors receive recognition on the beds, social media, and our website. We also welcome collaborations with local organizations, schools, and businesses to expand gardening education and outreach.
Donations, both financial and in-kind (seeds, soil, tools), directly support our programs and help provide essential gardening resources to those in need. Even something as simple as spreading the word helps grow our impact!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kindheartsbloom.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindheartsbloom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindheartsbloom
