Valentines Day Flower Buying

I have been in the flower business for about a decade. This is a short amount of time compared to some designers. But anyone in the business for more than two years can tell you buying flowers on Valentines Day is very tricky. Avoid order gatherers It is tricky because there are companies which appear…

It’s Over…for now.

Sometimes I have to turn on a dime to make things work between the business, home life and getting some “me” time.

The beat goes on…

Learning new things is hard; good for our brain and its workings, but hard. When I started FlowerFive in June 2019 I never imagined I would be faced with so many obstacles to overcome—both in my business and personal life. Those of you whom I have met in person—or even on the phone or Zoom…

Florist Log January 06

Christmas and New Year celebrations are mostly complete. Sure there are lights up and some folks are to celebrate in the coming days. But things are going forward. This was a weird one; more than it being the first full Christmas on my own as florist. (Last year FlowerFive was closed from Christmas Eve to…

Shop Small Now and Beyond

It is that time—the holidays—the favorite of many a starry eyed child as well as the staunchly adult. Many of us love this time of year; the coolness in the air, the promise of good tidings. Some of us dread the family dinners. But most everyone enjoys the thought of joy which is conferred at…

Shop and Share Gift Cards

Times are still challenging. Folks are tired of being sequestered and would like to get closer to some semblance of celebrating the upcoming season. Many small businesses are limping along. Restaurants are highlighted quite often as needing help from the community in the way of gaining patronage. But other shops—local small businesses—need your help as…

Little Things Matter

The flower buggy has been back at large for a couple of months now. But things are still pretty bleak. Many small businesses are still struggling. The wake of COVID-19  is felt most acutely by the bars and restaurants. But the ripples span to your small local business as well. All independently owned shops are…

Not Quite “Normal”

FlowerFive is going on the third week back at large, in Tampa, with the flower buggy. It has been good and it has been sad. Mother’s day went well. This was my first solo Mother’s Day. It was challenging to face that perpetual ordering conundrum which all retailers face; how much inventory to order or…

Business Operations after COVID-19 Shut Down

This is going to be a really precarious Mother’s Day; for more than one reason. Concerns include things like how businesses are only allowed to operate at 25% capacity. This is my first Mother’s Day vending flowers by myself. Sure, I have worked several years at flower shops in Tampa. But now I am the…

Working Around Lockdown

As many of you are very aware, we are on national lockdown orders. Variations include safe at home, safer at home and perhaps other instructions from state governors telling folks to stay home unless there is a bonafide need to leave. Under the order leaving your home is okay if you need groceries, the doctor,…