Nineteen Years

On this very day nineteen-years ago we opened the doors to our very first shop. Nervous, excited and terrified in equal measures we were also filled with a confidence that only comes from having the courage to take the leap in the first place.

At times, many, many, many times we have considered if we should have stopped ourselves, remembered the idea was born from a very drunken night out, and carried on as we were - pretty sure Clive thinks that still on a daily (almost hourly) basis - especially today after I managed to somehow delete our whole website this morning! - however, here we are all those years later still plodding along.

Don't get me wrong it has not been, is not, easy by any means. The team of florists we planned to have within a few years never became a reality - it's still just me with Chris helping out with deliveries - the shop moved to new premises that were half the size of the original (I do prefer where we are now though) and my salary has risen by just 39p per hour - a lot to some of you but that still only takes my currently hourly rate to £3.64; I don't get paid for overtime either!). As a limited company we have yet to take a dividend as many directors of such businesses are able to, but I would not change a single thing. Each day is an absolutely blessing for me to be able to be here, doing what I do. I never take it for granted and know just how lucky I am - thanks again to Clive and his wife for allowing him to give up so much of his family time to help me out when needed.

I've been at the very start of romance inceptions, supplying flowers for first dates, right through the engagement, wedding and babies being born with some of my customers. This isn't just a job to us, it's about being part of a community and I honoured that so many people have allowed us to share in their moments with them. The good, sad and downright crazy.

I wasn't sure which photo's to share with this post as it transpires I have made somewhere in the region of 180000 - yes, that's one hundred and eighty thousand - items since 2006. Those range from just a single gerbera tied with some foliage, to a full on battleship complete with turrets and wire railings. There have been smurfs, voodoo dolls, sausage dogs, boobies!!!!, football crests and chocolate bars. In the end I have decided to share just a few images from bits made this week, including one which has been delivered this morning that included some daffodils - it is also St David's day today.

I hope the shop is still here in another nineteen-years (although by then it would be nice to have retired myself) and we will continue to do all we can to make it happen. We've already ridden out a recession, a pandemic, where unlike many other businesses we didn't receive a single penny from the government, and the current cost-of-living-crisis we are all going through. I will be honest with you though; if my lottery numbers do finally come up you won't see me for dust :) We all know that's not true either as I could never let down a customer so I would keep working until all future orders had been fulfilled.

Thank you for every single person who has trusted us over the years with their special orders.