I've grown flowers. I've grown a family and friendships. I've spent most of my adult life nurturing and watching my children grow.
With each of these life changing steps I grew a little more myself, which brings me to the present moment at which I describe myself as a woman of faith, daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, florist and business owner.
I think my becoming a florist took root as a very small child, I was always drawn to flowers and gardens.
I have been a florist (floral designer) for nearly 20 years. I began by working from home on silk and dried flowers then for a local flower shop. Over the years I developed my skills and learned from different designers until I had my own design sense and style. It has been three and a half years since I opened the doors of my own florist and I need to stand back and take a look at were I am. Like bringing a new baby home from the hospital, starting a business can be all consuming and exhausting. You are elated, nervous and eager to achieve. The new ideas popping into your head keep you awake at night and you can't wait to implement them in the morning.
The initial rush goes on for a while, soon you begin to notice that everything else in your life is not being tended to as it was before. Trying to be great at everything doesn't always work, but you learn to focus on the most important things and let some others go.
Businesses, I have learned, take time to grow. You can't just open your doors and expect to be successful. So many factors come into play, the economy, the type of business, how much competition is around you, how long your start up money will hold out.
I'm not sure of the future, but right now I think I have to focus on what I have
achieved. I have customers who tell me how much they like my store, the unique gift items and the relaxed atmosphere. Some call to say thank you, the gift basket you sent was amazing. Many come back to say they cannot believe how long their flowers lasted. Some customers have stopped in just to say thank you for a beautiful sympathy arrangement. I received an award from a wedding website "theknot.com" for having five star reviews from the brides I served. I've been able to support the local schools, the same schools my sons graduated from, and made many friends along the way.
I also see the business itself building, sales numbers increasing from one year to the next. Unfortunately due to the bad economy the future is still up in the air. I don't know if things will improve enough to keep going even though I've been feeling that I am close to being able to hold on. Only time will tell.
I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to try something I have dreamed of for many years. What ever the future brings, I will feel grateful for the opportunity to try, and for the successes I've had along the way.
