Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hong Nguyen, Owner of Pink, the little flower shop, located in Fountain Valley, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I sell flowers to any and everyone who appreciates the art of flowers...or is just in need of them.
Tell us about yourself
I started experimenting with the idea of opening a flower shop when I was 19. After several years of struggles and hesitation, I finally made the jump and opened up my brick-and-mortar in 2011 when I was 29. I love flowers and being able to express my creativity through mother nature's offerings. Year after year, when I feel like I've seen it all, the flower industry surprises me with new types of flowers/products that hit the market, and it keeps me intrigued. That fascination keeps me going.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
This started off as a passion project, which I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to turn into a career, but now has blossomed into a business that allows me to: pay my bills, support my family, and live life according to my rules...after business hours, of course.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
If you had asked me this question three years ago, I would have said to pay the bills, but now, I realize the hardest thing has been and always will be finding balance. I used to work 80-100 hours a week, if not more. I missed out on a lot of important life events and rarely had free weekends. Even when I was present, I wasn't because I was on my phone answering emails, text messages, and DMs. When I first started the business, I didn't mind putting in the hours and dismissing everything I missed out on because of work, but then the pandemic hit. That, at the time, was the hardest thing I had to navigate through, and now that it has passed, I look back and think of all the good that came out of it, and I realize I was wasting my life away. These days, instead of focusing on growing the business exponentially, I'm now focused on balancing a happy life and running a business that allows me actually to live.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Make sure whatever you plan to do is worth your sacrifices for however many years it takes for you to see the fruits of your labor. Everyone (experienced but mostly inexperienced) is going to want to give you advice on what you should do but stay true to yourself and your product.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pinklittleflowershop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkthelittleflowershop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkflowershop/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hong-nguyen-917b8034/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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