Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Audrey Day, owner of Bromewood, located in Bromont, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a bespoke florist 90 minutes outside of Montreal, Quebec, in the Eastern Townships. We cater to anyone who loves flowers regardless of their budget. We support local floral farms for our floral designs. Being bilingual helps us to serve our local community as well as particulars. We pride ourselves on our quality and creativity for each project we tackle. We are considered highly of as we listen to what our clients are looking for.
Tell us about yourself
Up until recently, I was a practicing Landscape Architect primarily in and around the Eastern townships. My daughter Leah was my partner Before she moved overseas. I made the decision to pick up the reins of our boutique, which we began in 2003.
Call the number of changes that have come about since then; I focus primarily on our little store, which we moved from Knowlton to Bromont and which brings us and our clientele joy, laughter, and the sharing of fun stories.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When I originally opened the store in 2003 with my daughter Leah, she was the person behind purchasing the gardens statuary and managing the finances. I was practicing my Landscape Architecture, and the two services worked very well together. However, when she left to pursue her own interests abroad, I began a very steep learning curve vis-à-vis store management which included finances, paying salaries, and all the while continuing to practice my Landscape Architecture. I can honestly say the hardest part for me was learning how to use social media and computers for managing payroll. However, I have had so much support from friends and local suppliers who have helped me through the process and encouraged me all the way. We are in the midst of the second refurbishment of our website. An update since 2010 was needed. I enjoy the task, but it does take me a bit of time. I take all the visual images and make sure they are to my liking. So for me learning how to navigate the new world of computers has been an area I have had to work hard at.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Inventory and cash flow. Inventory because we deal with perishables on an everyday basis. Similar to a restaurant, every flower counts, so we monitor in and out merchandise closely. The second is managing cash flow. Particularly for myself as my background in fine arts.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Make sure you have a business plan no matter how small you are; I don’t think it’s possible to move forward without this kind of information and strategizing at your fingertips. We prepared ours with the Dobson Center for Entrepreneurs at McGill. We were lucky enough to find a mentor to see us through the making of our business plan.
The plan was based on a $25 sale in the middle of a storm in January. All those years ago, and it still is valid today though the single sale item has changed.
Secondly, make sure you have a good bookkeeper that you are well acquainted with if you are not comfortable doing your own monthly taxes, etc. Manage your inventory closely.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Be passionate about what you do. Have fun and enjoy the time you are at work. I look forward to every day I go to work. It is never the same. Our clients are interesting and fun. We chitchat in French or English and enjoy engaging them in a bit of fun, and it’s nice to see them when they come in again and again.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://bromewood.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BromewoodFleuriste/
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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