Cut out the middle man ??

At the moment none of us have any money to waste, its getting harder and harder to make ends meet which is why I find it so hard to understand why people order flowers through a third party or middleman!!

If your not sure what I mean I will explain............if you call your local florist, you speak to the professional who will put your flowers together for you. They will give you a price for your flowers with possibly the addition of a delivery charge ; any way you know exactly what your paying for.

The middle man or third party is  a company who then passes your order on....if your lucky to a florist!!

 I say this because in the case of some relay companies....there the ones that pay to be at the top of Google, pushing little businesses out of the way. The companies that deliver worldwide .......these companies take your money and fail to break down what you have paid for. So your left thinking you paid X amount for flowers, when you actually loose a percentage of that total paying their commission. Fact is by calling a florist direct you will get much more for your money, most florists now are online so you can even email the other side of the world. Many Independent florists have their own network of florists who now pass orders on, it will only cost you the price of a phone call in most cases 

Some Funeral Directors also act as a middle man, by asking you to buy your flowers direct from them.....and lets face it you will be very vulnerable, you have lost a loved one, who wants to mess about going to a florist ? but you could be paying commission on those flowers and by just popping in to your local florist you could find a much better deal.

So ask yourself  wouldn't you rather have someone take care of your flower order who is not going to pass the order on, someone who listens to you and then makes those flowers up to your requirements. That florist who is trained in what they do, years of experience and someone who knows what they are talking about. Don't let these middle men take advantage of you, especially when you are most vulnerable??

Wedding venues may also offer you flowers as part of your package but if you use the florist you are ordering your bouquets from you can be sure everything will match and co ordinate perfectly. The workmanship is consistent throughout and you know exactly what your getting for your money.

So if you want to save money on flowers, use a local florist. Not only are you supporting a local business, you will get value for money, second to none customer service and you won't be paying any hidden extras..... 

Think about it, would you go to a florist if you wanted a funeral organising?? No, so why let a Funeral Director take your flower order, don't you want to save some money, which you could spend on more flowers?? or give more to charity..........all your local florist asks is that you remember them and use them. 

Sorry its been ages since I blogged, just goes to show how much there is to do....running your own business. It may be a little, independent shop but some days I have a to do list that seems to never end.

Just managed to fit in a few days away with my family......and even that wasn't shop free!! Texts, calls its very hard to find cover for a florist business, especially when you put so much time and effort into being the best you can be. Its hard to find someone who has the same morals as you, who believes that every design, big or small  should be perfect........I never put 'old ' flowers in any of my work, in fact I  take home flowers that I no longer consider good enough for the shop and yet some people think its ok to use them. Its not!! and especially not in my shop!! Fortunately someone was around in my absence to save the day and I am truly grateful to them .

We have got involved in The Lonely Bouquet movement, so some of our flowers can be found in and around Great Barr, with a simple message ADOPT ME............So if you around our way keep your eyes peeled, you never know you could be lucky enough to find one. This young man did.....

Wedding Flowers, Funeral flowers we do both??

Just wondering what people think a florist does?? Several people recently told me they didn't know I did funeral flowers? they thought I just sold bunches. Do we really not understand what a florist does???

It shocked me I have to say as a qualified florist, yes that's correct we do have qualifications and I am very proud of mine, as well as years of experienced learning from my peers in the industry; its scary to think that the general public may not know what a florist does!! that little shop on your high street is only their to sell bunches?? Problem is anyone can, and does call themselves a florist...............everyone knows someone who does flowers, very few realise that there is so much more to being a florist than playing with flowers.

You see before you can play with the flowers ( and I know that term winds me up but that's what everyone thinks I do) they have to be selected from a grower or a wholesaler, there are different grades/quality this affects the cost, better quality gives better, stronger flowers, they last longer. Then they have to be put into water, this is called conditioning. Done correctly it adds to the quality of the flowers and in turn this is passed on to the customer upon purchase; helpful tips depending on the flower, flower food etc Flowers that can, depending upon the variety last for weeks. Roses, yes roses that last for weeks!!

We , as professionals, know whats in season when, what will look best if your working to a theme or budget. What will last the longest sat in a hot marquee on your wedding day or designs that will sit on your loved ones grave, weather permitting for a while , so when you visit your not greeted by a mass of dead heads, rotting away the next day.

Then there is workmanship, yes I'll be the first to say you can cut corners and save money but this does affect the design you end up with. I focus on this because to many people email or ring up for a price.....they have know idea what the price is for, as they don't ask. Believe me  no two florists work the same, even if we copied each other or were given the same flowers, I promise you the work would be different. That is what you pay for. Funeral letters are always a good example, the frames are all the same, same size, similar makes so its the flowers/design you pay for.............and yes when I make them up I could move the ribbon edge further up and use less flowers, or I could just not put any sprays on the letters but I won't. Why not? because that's my work and I am proud to say its my work, I can't cut corners and produce something sub standard because then I can't tell everyone I made it, I would be ashamed of it.

Yes I could use much smaller roses for a Brides bouquet, yes it would be half the cost but they won't last more than a few hours out of water and this is your big day, when your evening guests arrive you should still be able to show off your flowers, not a wilted heap hidden in the corner.

Its hard enough being in business, its even harder when everyone thinks they know how easy your job is?? Don't find out the hard way, that the difference between a professional florist and someone who does flowers is the fact that you get let down with your order. The difference is often years of industry based training, City and Guild qualifications and a wealth of knowledge that is constantly being updated up against a 12 week evening class course. There is no comparison and you will get what you pay for. Always check out the florist you use, they should be able to provide with references of past customers, albums and portfolios of there own work, visit their shop or studio and see what they have. Ask them about their experience, qualifications....its your money you should feel happy where you spend it??

Support small local businesses.....

With everyone going internet friendly, you've got to have a website for your business, you should have a web shop blah, blah, blah    well I have, and I fill the site full of pictures of my work but with a florist do you really want to order online?? actually what wrong with speaking to any company direct, this kind of customer service is what we all want but the big boys don't always give it....small businesses can, and will.

I ask because every now and again we get an inquiry about wedding flowers or funeral flowers, can we have a price............no two florists do the same thing, it may be similar but it won't be the same. We all put our own twists on things, its like a signature. So to just email for a price how do you know what your getting?

If you order online from my web shop, yes you have a picture but isn't it more personal if you call me or pop in if you can so I can make it special for you or the person your sending it to?? By chatting to your local florist you can be sure of the following;

1. You are definitely dealing with a local florist not  a faceless, order gathering company who don't know a daffodil from a daisy!
2. They can offer you advice and ideas.
3. They will cater for your budget, what ever it is. If want you wanted is not in your price range they will offer alternatives
4. The customer service will be excellent. You talk to real people and know what your getting. No tapping at a keyboard, waiting for the page to refresh or talking to an automated message....grrrr
5. You will be keeping shops in your area, in business, no empty shops means a thriving community.
6. Every small, independent business is run by hard working families and friends, most of whom are just making ends meet, keeping themselves and their  staff, if they have any off the Dole queue!!

So next time you go to click online, spare a thought for us......the little fish!! Buy local, its important now more than ever

Looking for Wedding flowers

So its wedding season, I'm getting a lot of brides ringing or emailing me for prices and I'm sorry but I find that really odd? Why? Because this is one of, if not THE biggest event in your life and you just want a price......don't you want to chat to the florist, have a look at THEIR work, visit their shop or studio so you know you are dealing with a professional??

From the florists point of view I like to get to know my Brides, I like to have a chat and get a feel for what they like and also, just as important what they don't like! You see for me to create a brides bouquet I need to understand how she see's her theme, colour's...............your flowers are a personal choice, they are what you want.

So I personally don't feel comfortable just emailing a price back to someone........to me that tells you nothing about what you will get and just the same I don't really have a feel for what you were looking for. You might want seasonal flowers, you might hate roses so how can I just give out a standard price?? There is nothing standard about any bride or her flowers

Believe it or not it helps to go through books and pictures, its so easy now for brides to Google pictures and images, we have albums in our shop and our designs on our website and that's where we start. But I have never yet meet two brides the same, and that's how I like to treat you as individuals.

Even the bride that doesn't do flowers, but has been told she has to have some!! after a chat, quick phone call we can discover together what we can do for you.

There are plenty of people who 'do flowers' but a real , professional florist does so much more. We can offer you a wide range of flowers and foliage's;  we know what is in season, whats expensive and what's not if your budgeting and with such a wide range of materials why not use this professional knowledge to make your day extra special??

So think carefully when you looking for prices, do you know exactly what you will get for that price? Do you really just want a price or would you like a bit more.... are you sure that picture on that website is that florists design or is it a standard picture used on several sites for many different shops. Hey some of mine are not brilliant pictures but to borrow a phrase from a friend ( Sarah B I hope you don't mind?) I'm a florist not a photographer! but they are my designs............What you see is what you get    

This time next week it will all be over......... Mothers Day that is. A day  which is lovely for all Mom's, myself included however things are a little different in our house. Indeed my own dear Mom has never known a conventional Mothers Day since I got my Saturday job in a florists at the age of 14.

I have never been fortunate enough to work in one of the few shops that can shut on Mothers Day, here in Birmingham we all tend to be open.....although since having my own shop I do shut the door at 2pm, that's my time with my family ; especially after all our hard work and especially their understanding. The next week will involve me planning everything from flower buying, design making, shop display, plants, prices and most importantly making sure we have something in store for everyone.....whether they have a £1 to spend or a bit more.

My children have to spend most of the week watching, and supporting me through the price rises, the flower deliveries and putting into water (conditioning process) and they do it cos they love me? and probably because they would like to see me at some point during the week! They put up with a lot, during peak periods I work stupid hours.....that no one would understand  except my family. The 4am starts to make sure the shop is open and ready for our customers. Worst of all they have to listen to people telling them how easy a florists job is, so pretty and easy it looks!! or defending the high prices because they know how it works.........I've told them to give up on the latter, after years in the industry I still can't make people see its not me who dictates the prices.

Mothers Day always falls a week late in our house, my poor Mom helps with deliveries on Mothers Day and I will be exhausted so we postpone it for a week and then everyone comes to lunch, better late than never?? What would be nice is if just a few people remembered their Moms at other times through out the year ; its lovely to be busy for Mothers Day but we should love our Mom's all year round and  make sure they know it.

Mother's Day is nearly here, for the United Kingdom anyway..........the flower prices are set to rise as usual and the poor florists will be taking the usual stick; You must be making a fortune?? amongst many others......Well lets put the record straight.

I've been a florist for well over 20 years now and I am yet to see a florist who lives in a huge house, drives a Mercedes that they own and has several holidays a year so why, oh why do you all think we are minted. We don't dictate the flower prices, if we did believe me we would keep them at an affordable price for both you and us all year round. The growers and suppliers dictate the price we are lucky if we can make any profit on some items. Mother's Day and Valentine's Day for many florists is a peak period, huge outlay, huge wage bills to cover the extra work load and then when its all over you hope you've made enough people happy that you build your customer base a little.

See its these regular and loyal customers that we rely on, the ones who come in a few times a year, appreciate our work and skill and use us. If I relied on just my peak periods I would have gone under by now; its just depressing that we are the ones who catch all the flack. Believe me many people wouldn't do the hours we do, for the pay we get.....and pretty job??don't get me started, where did that idea come from. Up at silly o'clock to get stock, working for weeks on end without a break at some times during the year. Cleaning buckets, treating flowers, rough hands, grubby fingers....especially at Christmas but we are a happy bunch.

Then there is the notion that flowers from a supermarket are the same? really do you get the same customer service, gift wrapping , are you able to hand pick what you want and have them wrapped....do you get a card, do they deliver for you..........no I thought not

So please don't grumble when we have to ask for a little more money, you get what you pay for. Look into your florists face and try and appreciate the hours that they have spent creating all the lovely things in their shops. Don't jump in line to condemn us....trust me we are not making a fortune. And next time you dare buy a bunch from a supermarket, listen for that thud!!!! that the sound of another florist dying on the high street.......