Florist News

You're so right there Mapletree. It's a lot to do with how you deal with people on these occasions. They will know if you have a genuine understanding of their feelings or if you are just treating it as another job. There is such a big difference. I think back to some of the funerals i did and it's almost as if you gained a fiend for life, just by doing the funeral flowers. It's a nice feeling and reminds you that it isn't 'just another job'

__________________

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement. Two weeks of real highs, and a low. I think it is different for us than it is for Louise4, as her shop is brand new from scratch and ours was a 'takeover'. I also think that people are pleased to see two folk running it who are enthusiastic and happy at work, we have had lots of cards and well-wishers. I think the previous owner was getting a bit jaded with it all, losing temper with cutomers etc , which she readily admitted frequently!
We have a lot of regulars, which is our bread and butter, and I am sure you will have your regulars too soon, Louise4. Hang in there, we'll be thinking of you.
Lulu, sorry to hear about your loss. It must be very hard for you to deal with wee ones' funerals. My biz partner lost her husband in a car crash and she found it very hard to place the flowers in the kirk with me. I hope that the family at least have a good memory of the flowers to comfort them a wee bit. Re: buying the shop, we were lucky in that we were already working in the business, so we knew what it was making and the rough value of the stock, and in the end we didn't get to see the books but had a very understanding bank manager. We had a very detailed biz plan with every last penny for start-up, first 6 months and 2nd 6 months accounted for, based on what we knew the rent, rates, weekly suppliers' bills, sundries etc and average takings. But, as I said, this was where we were lucky having worked in the biz. The shop has always been a florist, and is just off the square next door but one to the main newsagent/post office. There is a lot of life in the street, which also helps. Your rent is lower than ours, but rates seems higher (we have small biz relief), but the cost of the biz itself is much higher. We were cheeky and never offered to pay for any goodwill, as we were changing the name because the previous owner is keeping the business name 'live' until the tax year ends. So any goodwill associated with the old name went with it, as far as we were concerned.
There have been some 'hidden' costs we never even dreamed of, such as having to pay the leccy supplier a £250 bond - refundable, checked before we paid!!!! And that it seems we will have to pay our entire yearly BT line rental up front (about £190). Obviously bad payers, there small businesses!!!!
As for the wedding yesterday, the bride was delighted and kissed us both! We were floating on air when we left! We have another wee (bride, b'maid and buttonholes) next weekend, and that's the last wedding until Hogmanay, but there is another big wedding (which we aren't doing the flowers for next weekend, but we do seem to be doing all the buttonholes (61 at last count!!!!!!). So we will be a bit busy on Friday.
Sorry to go on, but it is all very exciting. Thanks again for all the positive vibes. Much appreciated!
Lulu, if there is anything u think we can share that will help re: first starting out, then don;t hesitate to ask.

Well done to both of you long may it continue

__________________