Prince's Trust

Hi, not been on here in a few weeks as not much to report, till now

So this week I have completed a 4 day business course with the princes trust. I really enjoyed it and learned quite a lot.
Im really excited now although still very nervous!
Next step Is one to one meetings with some one to get my business plan all sorted

Im now going to ask a huge favour
If any one has just a couple of minutes to answer 10 quick multiple choice questions for me on your view of buying flowers I would be highly grateful!!

 

Here is the link  : http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VT2Y2S6

 

 

 

step 1

I finally have an appointment with the black country chamber of commerce next week! iv not done all the work I wanted to be able to show due to cash flow, so I hope there is enough for them to have faith in me!
I' played with a few different ideas for names of shops but it seems that Emma's pretty petals will be sticking as its easy to remember and spell for the customers to search for me :)

iv only made 1 arrangement since my last post but it is a good one if I do say so myself :)

heart shaped bouquet

 

 

well fingers crossed for Wednesday, I will post again after my appointment 

hi

 

Iv not posted in a while, so quick update, I spoke and went to the job centre, they are happy to refer me to the black country chamber of commons I just have to wait on one decision but should know by the 3rd September :)

So in the meantime iv carried on with my arrangements for my portfolio.



 

 

hmmmm.... :)

 

so over the last week iv spent more than I can really afford on fresh and artificial flowers and vases etc.. iv also picked up a few unusual things to play and experiment with :)

I made this arrangement in a jewellery box :)

 

 

iv also picked up a pink cocktail glass, a bustier type shape bag, a round bowl, and couple other bits so watch this space.

With all the flowers iv been making bouquets and arrangements to show what I can do and make a portfolio. Iv run out of spare cash now though and I owe some back too! but its all worth it! Im in my element when sitting with my flowers, music in the background left with my own imagination and creativity :) Just a shame I don't have any customers to buy the arrangements iv been making :( its gutting that once im done they sit in the shed till they start wilting then end up in the bin, apart from the couple iv took to my nan at the cemetery.

 

Tomorrow I plan to start the ball rolling with looking into how to start my own business, I have to call the job centre and I will be researching how to write up a business plan!

 

 

here's a few more things iv made up in the last week

 

 

 

more pics

I have had a busy afternoon today, I went to a little flower shop (saw what not to do!) very expensive and poorly laid out with no prices on anything!

Anyway picked up a few stems, came home and made these beauties

Rustic country garden bouquet

 

simply white hand tied bouquet

flat bouquet

 

mixed hand tied bouquet

 

And my favourite 2

 

contemporary design including broccoli, cauliflower, spring onions carrots and black berries!!!! o and some podded peas :D

pretty little classic arrangement in a tea cup and saucer

 

should i go for it???

A friend of mine is in the process of opening her own hair salon after getting help and support from the princes trust.
Im thinking should I try too!?
The things that concern me are - deliveries, I don't drive and obviously need to stay in the shop anyway, would I afford to pay someone to deliver for me? I would also need a small van- costing more money.
Would I be able to cope during busy seasons? xmas, valentines day and mothers day as I would be the only florist.
Again not being able to drive would make it difficult to visit the warehouse, im sure many deliver but sometimes you just need to go and look for yourself.
I would also have to pay out for utilities, insurance, stock, waste collection it goes on and on!
this is the place that got me started on flowers, just a Saturday girl at what was called Broadway flowers then...

 

This shop is now vacant and I want it so bad!



its getting better :-D

On Wednesday I went to see Walsall Adult Community College to see if they had and advice on how to pay for college course and ended up walking out after signing up for a free 10 week course in flower arranging :)
its only a leisure course so no qualifications but it gives me hands on experience to get green hands again and I will be taking my little camera with me to get some snaps to share and also to make myself a nice looking portfolio :-D

THEN the lady told me to call back the place I mentioned on Monday about the city and guilds course, because its only level 1 & 2 she said I might be able to get it free as well, so today I called them up and YEP I get that course free too :-D £400 I don't have to find from some where!
and this course gives me a NVQ level 1 & 2 and again a portfolio.

Things are looking up :-)