Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Leslie Chiara, owner of Bombadil, located in Bordentown, NJ, USA.

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

I own a specialty houseplant shop and sustainable florist located in Bordentown, NJ, called Bombadil! My vision for the shop is the opportunity to enrich and transform my customer’s home environment through the inclusion of nature into their living spaces. On the floral side, I design bespoke florals for daily enjoyment and a few weddings and events each year! All the flowers I work with have been grown on local family farms within 100 miles of the shop, only using recycled or reusable materials in design.

Tell us about yourself

I've always loved houseplants, ever since my first apartment. It's been a dream of mine to live in a jungle! It wasn't until my wedding in 2016 that I fell in love with flowers and how they can totally transform any room. I was instantly enamored and started growing cut flowers the very next year on my parent's farm in Columbus, NJ. This business has also been a dream of mine, so that is what motivates me. Every day I get to work in an industry that I am passionate about, and be thankful for the opportunity. The backbone of this business I've created is the other businesses we bring into the shop, like nearby farms and local artists. It is supporting them that motivates me to work harder.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It’s very important to me that Bombadil is as environmentally cohesive as possible, so our flower season is when local farms are growing (usually February through November, sometimes December). All of our cacti and succulents come from a grower 34 miles away in Pennsylvania. A lot of our smaller houseplants come from Pennsylvania as well. Finding and sourcing products from local businesses and makers is a big accomplishment because it’s not always an easy part of the business. Especially since a lot of my product is tropical and we live in a temperate climate. Also, making it through the first year as a retail shop!

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

If you’ve never owned a retail business, the closest experience I could imagine it being would be having a child. This business is only driving with me behind the wheel. It’s always on my mind, the good and the bad. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. And you are always learning from mistakes (at least in the beginning), so it’s important to have a sound plan laid out to attempt to follow.

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

  1. Definitely write a business plan! It has been the most important aspect of Bombadil surviving its first year in the middle of a pandemic.
  2. If you are going to need a place to run your business (brick + mortar, studio, or otherwise), make sure you have saved enough capital to afford all of your bills through at least your first six months or more of operations. Nothing is worse than stressing about finances.
  3. If you have an opportunity to partner up with someone or another business, I really believe it will allow for more of a work/life balance. Introducing yoga classes hosted by Gina Guillen to the shop has really improved my work/life balance.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I’m just happy for the opportunity to share my story!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://bombadilplantshop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bombadilplantshop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bombadilplants/

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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