Rory Courtney has opened Flo & Dot, a boutique stationery store and creative space on the Antrim Road in North Belfast, following a health crisis and job loss that he attributes to workplace stress. Courtney told Belfast Live that a Sunday morning blackout led to a car crash and subsequent medical tests, which doctors indicated were likely caused by stress from a high-pressure software company role.
Stress-induced blackout leads to car crash and redundancy
Courtney described a period of severe professional pressure during his eighth year at a software firm, where he was expected to be available to global clients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This environment culminated in a blackout while driving his daughters home from swimming, resulting in a crash through a garden wall. Courtney noted that he narrowly missed a dog walker and only avoided hitting a house because a car was parked in the driveway.
The aftermath of the accident triggered a series of financial and personal setbacks. Courtney reported that upon returning to work after a week’s leave, he was made redundant on his first day back. This job loss caused a pending house sale to fall through because he could no longer secure mortgage approval. The DVLA also revoked his driving license for approximately one year following the incident.
Journaling for Recovery: Courtney credits the act of putting thoughts on paper and writing daily plans as the primary method he used to recover from stress and anxiety.
Flo & Dot opens as a community creative space
The new business, named after Courtney’s daughters, Florence and Dorothy, combines a gift shop and stationery store with a communal creative hub. Courtney stated that the venture was born from his own recovery through journaling and his wife’s interest in stationery. He told Belfast Live that the goal was to find a professional path that offers more balance and time with his children.
The store focuses on local economic support, with Courtney noting that approximately half of the stock comes from independent makers. The business also hosts journaling clubs designed to bring people together away from screens to process their thoughts on paper.
Did you know? Courtney chose the Antrim Road location to mirror the boutique shopping experience of Ballyhackamore, contributing to a recent influx of new cafes and restaurants in the area.
Shift from corporate pressure to controlled stress
Courtney acknowledged that running a business involves stress, but characterized it as a different, more controllable type of pressure than his previous corporate role. He stated that the primary motivation for the shift was to be a happier person and a more present father.
The business has integrated the family into its operations, with Courtney’s daughters participating in journaling activities. Courtney noted that his daughter Florence has felt like a “celebrity” because her name is featured on the shop’s signage.
Common questions about the Antrim Road boutique
What products does Flo & Dot sell?
The shop is a boutique stationery store and gift shop that stocks items from various local, independent makers.
What activities are hosted at the creative space?
The store hosts journaling clubs where people gather to write and share thoughts over coffee.
Where is the store located?
Flo & Dot is located on the Antrim Road in North Belfast.
Courtney’s transition from a 24/7 global software role to a local business owner followed a year-long process of regaining his driving license and recovering from what he described as feeling “worthless” during a rough couple of weeks.