Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Natalie Chow-Kung, owner of Lotus Flower Boutique, located in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am the owner of a small local flower shop in Burnaby. We do everything from weddings and events, birthdays and baby showers, sympathy tributes, and all everyday occasions. I'd like to think we have such loyal customers because we put our love and care into our designs and always do our best to keep our quality control above and beyond what you would get anywhere else. We treat and greet our customers with open arms and like to keep a more personable relationship with everyone. After all, Smiles are contagious! and Happy Wife, Happy Life! wink

Tell us about yourself

I believe I got my passion for working with flowers from my mother. She also owned a retail flower shop in Burnaby. I remember going there after school in my youngling days to help with what I could (which wasn't much at the time but the nitty-gritty jobs! but hey, we all have to start somewhere, right?) The vibes of people coming into the store and leaving with big smiles brought me joy. Something so simple as the natural beauty/scent of a fresh-cut flower made me happy to bring those good vibes to the public. That's what keeps me and my team at Lotus going. Spreading the love!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is building the business from the ground up. It has been rocky at some times, especially with COVID happening, but Lotus is still standing and going stronger than ever. Keeping a happy work-family and joining together outside of work, being a part of flower shows, and winning awards have also been one of our big accomplishments.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is you are always on the clock. It's hard sometimes to balance family life being a business owner. Even if you take a vacation, you can't just shut off work life and go MIA for a week or two. I feel everyone wants to be a business owner, but nobody understands or realizes how much work there is behind the scenes. It's much easier to work for someone else and only worry about going to work - and receiving your paycheck. Being a business owner, you deal with: ordering inventory, making sure products are of good quality, making sure staff are happy and getting along, enough sales and cash flow in the bank, making sure the bills are paid, employees get paid, and any and every little bump in the road that shall occur knock on wood oh, and don't forget all the paperwork! Especially small business owners, they can't just shut it off, you want to be a business owner and a successful one? Your business WILL make you work for it! Haha!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Make sure you will put your heart into growing your business; if you only have 50% of yourself invest in your business, it probably won't go anywhere but downhill.
  2. Never stress yourself out. Don't waste your energy on the small things; it will only drain you! Focus on what is important, and BE EASY! Take a breather if things get hard, and go back with a strong, clear mind.
  3. If you have staff: make sure you listen to them. They are people too, they have feelings, ideas, and sometimes more minds are better than just one! So treat them well and keep the work roof and happy one.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Support local! Even if you have a one-off experience with any small business, talk to them directly. Some people go straight to doing a bad google review or complaining to the world without going directly to the business and talking. The small local business owners usually wear their hearts on their sleeves and will fix the problem in a heartbeat. Any feedback, whether it be positive or negative, is good feedback. Negative feedback lets you know what you need to work on. Positive ones show what you are being recognized for. Thank You!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.lotusflowerboutique.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4132Dawson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfb4132/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-lfb/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.