open a(nother) beautiful flower shop

Jacqi’s and my shop, Flower Fair, opened its door for business on Tuesday, September 4th. It will take a while before we get to be a force to be reckoned with, but we’ve budgeted for that. We’ve appointed two lovely younger ladies, Veronica (general assistant) and Andronica (florist.) (Yes, we do confuse their names!) We believe we have the makings of an awesome team. Here’s a picture of some arrangements I made. Will post pics of shop later.

I am busy opening another beautiful flower shop! At the beginning of this year it seemed like an impossible dream! After moving back to the Lowveld, an old friend, Jacqi, approached me with this idea that we should go into business together. She invited me to come and spend an afternoon with her and her husband, and the two of them offered to finance the whole venture. How could I refuse? I have already resigned from my job at the market where I have been working under most unpleasant conditions. We immediately started looking at possible premises, and found a perfect, newly renovated shop in the heart of the city. We are working flat out to have it ready for opening the first week of September, so I need all your prayers and good wishes. We live in an area which is jokingly called the ‘Slow-veld’, sadly, with good reason. Lack of and poor service is an accepted way of operating in some instances. However, all the suppliers we have approached, came up with quotations immediately and most of the work is now in the hands of professionals. By incredible luck, I’ve found an apartment in the same building as the new shop, so I will literally be 100m away from my workplace. Look out for pictures soon! Lots of love to all my 43things friends!

Not exactly what I anticipated. In a very surprising turn of events, I accepted an offer to manage a busy flower market close to my previous home town. It is a great challenge and I was thrown in the deep end over this long weekend. Every other employee got the whole weekend off and I had to do my first wedding for the shop all on my own. Everything went extremely well, and even the venue was a pleasant surprise. Having had my own mental picture of the place, I didn’t even bother to take along my camera, and regret it now! The place is built in an open boma style with a small gazebo, all thatch and stone, right next to the Crocodile river and set under a forest of mature trees. A potentially magnificent setting for a party with fantastic atmosphere. Will post some photos someday soon.

I’ve established three flower shops before, each of them beautiful in it’s own right. The one I have planned in my head, should be pretty and above all else, practical and functional. I’ve started looking for a name, and have a few possibles. It has to have universal appeal, and all the different ethnic groups I hope to attract as customers, should be able to relate to it.

i’ve applied for jobs in totally different areas. so hope i don’t get accepted, because i would love to have my own shop again. have it all planned in my head, just need a name..