The friendship between Winch and Lily

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kristina, owner of Gervė ir Lelija (Lithuanian for Crane & Lily), a flower garden located in Karklė Village, Lithuania.

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

Five years ago, I started creating my own garden. My vision has always been very clear - It had to be filled with huge fruit trees, lush shrubs, and heaps of wonderful blooms. As everything began in an empty field, it took a bit of time. Yet, last year I realized I had finally reached a point where my garden could be a source of joy and inspiration for a lot more people than just me and my family.

I began selling seasonal cut flowers and bouquets. I find it very exciting to be a part of, I'd say, a worldwide community of the Slow Flowers Movement and to be able to offer blooms that have been grown with care for the environment - I don't use pesticides or any other chemical fertilizers, artificial heat or light sources. I am glad I'm finding like-minded people who believe that seasonal locally grown flowers stand for quality, who want to know where their flowers came from and who trust me to deliver something fresh, colorful, and spectacular.

Tell us about yourself

I have always been very creative, yet not brave enough to choose a path that would lead me to become a professional artist. So this urge to be inventive has been projected into every other aspect of my life. We bought some land, and I saw it as a blank canvas. I grew some flowers, and they've become colors I paint with. I love learning new things, and I find it quite satisfying to know that by doing something patiently and regularly, you're becoming better and better at it.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm not a confident person; to be honest, I am a total introvert. So at the moment, my biggest accomplishment, I'd say, is meeting new people and expanding my client network.

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

The hardest bit is knowing that all responsibility falls on your shoulders. If you want to succeed, you have to be willing to work hard and learn something new constantly, be initiative and flexible with your time, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. The goal is to make your client happy, and you have to make sure you do your best.

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

Dream big.
Be passionate and patient.
Don't give up!

One more piece of advice would be to become extremely inquisitive and to keep learning. Good ideas and inspiration are all around us.

Where can people find you and your business?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerve.ir.lelija/

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.

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