BY SACHA WALTERS, Staff Reporter
Left: Sonia Leebert, proud owner and managing director of 'That Blooming Florist', a flower shop. Right: A sample of an edible arrangement.
A QUAINT LITTLE flower shop with history like the lignum vitae tree under which it is nestled but also a newness and vibrance like the bright red and yellow colours that it is painted in has hopes of growing into the biggest little flower shop around.
Sonia Leebert is the proud owner and managing director of "That Blooming Florist", a flower shop which began 20 years ago at Fay Morrison's (the original owner) home. It was sold to Christiane Young who kept it for four years before eventually selling it to Leebert in January of last year. It has been at its present location of 20 West Kings House Road for nine years.
Without any professional experience in floral design or decorating, Leebert was initially apprehensive about going into business when Young, a long-time friend who was migrating offered to sell it to her.
Two years before Leebert was made redundant from her only job of over 30 years as a director/chief underwriter at First Life Insurance Company. After being unemployed for so long she said she had resigned herself not to work for anyone again. Therefore, when Young approached her with the business proposal she took a chance at it.
"I always was a person who loved flowers and decorating," she said and "I don't feel old," so she thought about it for two weeks and agreed to buy it.
GO ON A QUEST
When the past student of Titchfeild High School took over the business she went on a quest to get old and new customers on board. Apart from outfitting the company with the tools it needed she made other changes like changing the company's logo, letterhead and printed new business cards to give to potential customers. She said that she has added a number of customers since she took over the business.
It has not been a bed of roses according to Leebert. She sold a car and closed a personal account to invest in it and that money is nowhere to be seen today. There have been slow periods she said which she has had to find creative ways to deal with. She employs mostly contract workers which are on call for projects. But she has the assistance of a worker who has been with the company for many years.
The cost of materials for the business has increased during the time she has owned it. "The cost to buy flowers has almost doubled since I took over the business," she said. However, she shops around at different suppliers to get the best quality items at good prices.
This entrepreneur does all the delivery of her arrangements and the pick up of her supplies herself. Timeliness is very important to her business; she said that even it means calling a taxi to drop off her arrangements to her clients, she will do it.
There are times when the business becomes overwhelming. At one time she was forced to take two weeks vacation to recuperate as she was losing weight because of the stress.
"Sometimes I think that I just want to sell it," she said but the rewards are greater so she perseveres.
"When you decorate somewhere and the person is pleased, it makes it all rewarding," said Cindy Mikhael Stone, Leebert's niece who assists her with the business. A sentiment with which Leebert agreed.
Apart from offering traditional floral arrangements for birthdays, Valentine's day and other special occasions she offers plant rentals which form a large part of the company's income.
Leebert said she prides herself in offering creative and unique products. One of her new products is an edible arrangement, which is an arrangement of fruits carved in the shape of flowers. She said she got the idea from a magazine and has tried it with one of her customers on two occasions, a Kiwanis function, and got very positive reviews.
She also offers children tea parties where the young can come and have a party with teacups and saucers and the whole spread and learn basic etiquette while having fun.
The business also offers basic and advanced courses in floral arrangements.
She said people have cautioned her about the challenges of businesses.
"The first three years of the business you are not going to make any money," she said so she is aware that dedication will be the key.
"I have all confidence it will pick up and I know it will," she said.
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