Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elisha Hodge, owner of Plumeria Botanical Boutique, located in Battle Creek, MI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a full-service retail flower shop. We custom create fresh-cut flower bouquets that offer indoor plants and unique gifts. Our customers are local, national, and international. As a woman-owned, small business, we support our community and help our area BLOOM! Supporting other small businesses is important to us; we offer a wide variety of artisan gift items, locally sourced.
Tell us about yourself
I am an artist. Being interested in colors and textures from a young age, I pursued a college degree in fine art and then became a florist. Learning about flowers and plants motivates me every day to find new and creative ways to use flowers to express emotions. Communicating through flowers is an art in and of itself and designing them in a beautiful way makes my heart happy. Spreading love through flowers is my passion.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is developing a staff and business model from the ground up. We are a competitive and successful business based on passion and choosing to do the right things. Using love, community involvement, and integrity to build up our shop and our neighborhoods.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The biggest challenge as a business owner is work-life balance. Finding time to take care of myself and separating my business from my home life. My shop is my livelihood and has been the priority for seven years. I have learned in order to be a good leader, I have to be balanced, rested, and nurtured. Taking time to refresh and relax has allowed me to be more creative and bring more positivity to my work environment.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your product. Ensure that the demand for what you offer will support your idea for growth. The demand must be there before a brick-and-mortar space.
- Know your community. Invest in knowing who your demographic is, your competition, your industry, and get involved. Support locals sports teams, sponsor VFW bingo games, join clubs and community organizations, so people become aware of who you are and what you offer.
- Keep it simple; keep it small. So many businesses fail in the first five years because they over-commit. They get into debt to expand too quickly or advance too fast. Stay focused on your business plan and keep the course. Time will tell you when to grow.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Owning your own business is hard. It takes grit; it's making difficult and risky decisions; it is constant self-reflection and evaluation. Never stop learning; never stop thinking ahead. If you aren't changing, you're failing. There will be great rewards and great experiences when you keep investing in yourself and your community.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://plumeriami.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plumeria.bb/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plumeria.bb/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/plumeriabb
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plumeria-botanical-boutique/
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.