How Blooming Lovely works and why we’re different to other florists
As time goes by and more people are discovering my business, I’m finding the same or similar questions are asked by customers.
Usually these questions are ‘are you able to include a certain flower in the arrangement?’ or ‘can I have a certain colour scheme?’ or ‘can I have a bouquet to the value of $X.00?’ and ‘where is your shop front?’
While I try my best to accommodate customers, for example, if I see an order for sympathy flowers come through, and my design for that day is sunflowers, I will find something a little more appropriate (unless the customer is happy with sunflowers of course!), Or if there is an allergy to certain flowers, I will ensure they are left out if the design. But, as the way my business model is operated, we offer one design posies and bouquets only, with set prices on each size. This means that I have created the design for the upcoming days and have sourced the wholesale blooms accordingly. By doing this, I am able to keep my costs low, and therefore, I am able to pass this onto my wonderful customers!
Let’s start at the beginning…
when I first dreamt up this concept. I had some friends that I had moved away from, who I was missing so much. I wanted to send them all a little posy of flowers and a card, to let them know. At the time I was on maternity leave, so we were a one income family, so my budget was tight. I could not find a florist in the area who could fulfil my order, all posies were over $50, plus delivery on top. So my friends went without flowers! Then is started working locally, in some florist shops, I saw a real gap in the market for the small, affordable posies, just little gestures of love. So, I did some research, and worked out, if I had my own home studio, and most importantly, if I used one design, therefore reducing wasted materials, I could really offer that sweet posy that was missing from the market. These small posies have been very popular, especially in recent lockdown periods, they’ve allowed my customers to send thoughtful messages and some floral cheer to each other. And some of the card messages I’ve written out lately are touching and some are just plain hilarious!
I of course offer a variation of sizes and prices in order to keep my customers happy, but the base is the $35, small posy, then I simply double the materials for the medium size of $70 and then I triple the small posy materials to come up with the grander large bouquet for $100. Sometimes these bigger arrangements will have a little extra special bloom included. It’s so easy to see what is currently available too, all of my designs are uploaded to my Instagram page, which is automatically linked to my website (where you are reading this blog!) not only is the current design available, but you’re able to see a few designs, so see what my style is all about, this works well if you’re looking to preorder!
Offering the one design allows me to have a faster turnover of materials (flowers) than a traditional florist, so this means, for my customers their flowers are fresh as can be, meaning you get to enjoy them at home for longer. Did you know some flowers are kept in cold storage at a florist for up to 2 weeks! The longest mine are kept before they head out to you are 4 days!
Another way my business varies to traditional florists, is I don’t have a shop front and I don’t take phone calls. All of my orders are made and received through this website. This allows me to have the time to be immersed in my flower arranging and it also, again, means I can keep costs low. Having this concept allows customers to shop anytime of the day or night, from anywhere in the world! It’s easier than calling up and having to spell names, messages, addresses etc over the phone, meaning, human errors are less likely to happen. Boy has this been perfect during this pandemic, I’ve been able to operate as normal, and it has been completely contactless and safe for myself and all of my valued customers.
Being based in the beautiful Kiama, it’s put me, geographically half way between Wollongong and Nowra, which has allowed me to be able to offer deliveries to both cities and all of the suburbs in between. Giving me wonderful coverage of the Illawarra and South Coast NSW, and allowing me to offer free delivery to all!
I hope this little post has helped you understand and appreciate my business a little more. I can’t wait to brighten your day with some blooms soon!
