23.0627 June
Blog posts have almost disappeared. I write almost because this is a blog post…. I am surprised to see my last blog post was in May of 2021… I must do better.
Isn’t that what so many of us think to ourselves? Let’s make a point to recognize what we have done better.
For me, I have made some strides recently in rebranding. Flowerfive now has new, beautiful, velvety business cards. New postcard flyers which have more information on Flowerfive offerings.
Flowerfive has secured and kept more standing orders as well as subscription orders. I am happy to bring fresh flowers to regular weekly and semimonthly customers.
I also am sharing a short essay I wrote as an entry to a business contest. I got a little starry eyed thinking about what I would spend the prize money on if I were chosen.
Bad thing is now I REALLY want those things. “Those things” being a new VERY fancy, expensive flower buggy in a fun flower color like pink or purple and a cooler, with more real estate. My current cooler (retrofitted refrigerator) has roughly five square feet. A triple door display cooler is what I have wanted since I started this business. But life has gotten in the way of that pursuit.
I don’t know if it is good or bad for me to have these wants in my head now. On the one hand, it is good to aspire for improvements. On the other hand, sometimes what we see as improvement may actually be unnecessary… or worse. It could be overreaching. Who is to tell?
How can we know what is which way to go? We cannot. All we can do make the best decisions with the information we currently have.
Here is the essay which was submitted to the small business contest I entered. I hope it gives you a little more insight as to the method behind my madness of being your local flower lady.
Flowerfive came out of the incessant thought “five dollar flowers.” This phrase began calling me and it kept coming up in my thoughts.
I have an affinity for alliteration and I was working on business ideas. I think this recurrent thought was my inner voice proclaiming the idea which I needed to pursue.
This may have been the result working as a floral designer off and on for a decade or so. It might been because I had recently obtained my Master of Entrepreneurship. Who knows?
What I do know is there are clinical data which show flowers improve mood and medical outcomes. It may be because we smile more when we see beautiful things and smiling is good for our soul i.e. it releases endorphins, dopamine and serotonin.
My goal is to make flowers affordable for everyday; not only for birthdays, holidays or to say “I’m sorry.” Flowerfive flowers are an easy way to show someone you care; even if that someone is you.
My week begins with scouring my online flower purchasing website, finding whole boxes of flowers which can be combined into esthetic pleasing, long lasting, five and ten dollar bouquets. This task can be daunting; especially during holidays when product is scarce and prices are high.
Tenacity and grit are likely what keep me going…sometimes sheer stubbornness bridges the gap. When in business the ability to adapt is paramount and I am happy I possess this characteristic.
Additionally, I like finding color combinations which are pleasing to the eye. I pass those combinations on as curated bouquets which make it easy to get flowers on the fly.
Flowerfive buys what is necessary for the week and donates the bulk of the LWLs (last week’s leftovers) to charity. Some LWLs are used as networking give-a-ways and some are shared to other businesses as a symbol of support.
What really makes my day is seeing the happiness wash over someone’s face when the flowers just purchased from the flower buggy are given to a loved one.
Moreover, I will never tire of hearing how long flowers someone has purchased have lasted. I also get a little spark of joy when someone tells me they follow me on social media. Bootstrapping is arduous and it is these little victories which keep me going.
Just last week a friend came to visit me at the Valentines flower buggy pop up and asked if the woman I was speaking to was a regular customer. I said “No.” My friend replied “You talked to her like you knew her.” “That is the point.” I told her.
I have owned and run many businesses and it is my hope to spread a little joy by sharing flowers, kudos and engagement with other businesses and folks in the community. We are all in this together and we all need support during our small business challenges.
Flowerfive 