Three weeks ago, as the frost hit my dahlias, I made the decision to change the focus of the business.
Instead of being all things to all people - "Of course I can make a draught excluder"; "lunch backpacks? . . .no problem" - I wanted to have a one of those businesses that you can describe the nub of in one sentence.
I decided that I was going to concentrate on special occasions.
In some ways it will not change all that much - we have always done a lot of wedding and party work and Christmas is our busiest time - but I shall now be ruthless in lopping off the parts of the business that don't fit.
It has actually been psycologically very difficult. I hated making the decision that people will no longer be able to come here and buy flowers. It was the central part of my very first business plan - providing an alternative to the supermarket bunch - but it is also the first part of the business to suffer when there is a hike in interest rates and spare cash is no longer there. The difference between the first week of any month and the last, cash strapped, week showed in this part of the business when it didn't in the gift bouquet or events side. It had to go.
On the plus side though it has been fantastic realising that we can take on more events if we don't have the shop and also how small tweaks to the things I sew bring them into the special occasions field. I have always loved the idea of sewing things with a very personal connotation, things that will be treasured.
After we come back from Paris I shall be at a small local wedding fair in the Buchanan Arms (Sunday 14th October 12 - 4) so I have been making up samples of the kind of things I would like to make as wedding favours, bridesmaid accessories etc.
I have a bit of a love/hate thing going on with wedding favours. I think that it is a beautiful idea to give something to guests - something that they will treasure, something that will remind them of the day. But a lot favours that I have seen are pretty tacky and seem to be given simply because they are expected. So I have been playing about with fabric hearts, working out ways to personalise them without breaking the budget, working out designs that fit in with a wedding but will still fit into people's homes without screaming "WEDDING" and looking out of place.
I'm also devising a sensible, usable, range of favours with seeds and bulbs which I shall photograph later on in the week.
This is all very new - and I'm sure that it will be tweaked a bit before it goes onto the website in a couple of weeks - I would really appreciate feedback on what you think and suggestions as to what I should be considering.
Wow Jane, how exciting. I just looked in to cheer up a rainy morning (with added gloom because of a building problem) and find your change of focus news. It will be a shame not to come to the flower van on Fridays but from a business point of view you are absolutely right. Your home and occasion goods and gifts are wonderful quality so the wedding market will benefit hugely. Do you still have plans to attend any of the local pre-Christmas craft fairs?
Posted by: Debs | October 03, 2007 at 09:38 AM
I think that you've made a good decision, even in hard times, maybe even particularly in hard times, people will want to make an effort to make an occasion that bit more special.
I particularly like your idea of favours with seeds and bulbs.
Posted by: willow | October 03, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Jane, those favours are gorgeous. I particularly love the embroidered ones as that is my thing. Perfect for a memento in place of the tacky things usually on offer. Well done xx
Posted by: pipany | October 03, 2007 at 11:25 AM
Hard decisions indeed I think I know how much your "shop window" meant to you. But exciting times ahead. Have absolutely no idea about weddings as we have reached that stage in life where everyone is either married, divorced with the never again attitude, or thankfully too young to contemplate such things. Going away from the favours, maybe you could adapt your journals into photograph albums they would be lovely not only for the newly weds but also as gifts for the parents of the couple. And as for special occasions well the world really is your oyster there isn't it? Best of luck Jane.
Posted by: carolyn | October 03, 2007 at 01:34 PM
I think your wedding favors idea is great.I would love to have something like that to take home. The last wedding I went to had little boxes of sweets beautifully tied with a lovely bow, but after it had been opened it to see what was inside we couldnt tie it back up the same and who really wants to keep a cardboard box as a souvenier? Another wedding had sugared almonds in a little bit of net tied with curling ribbon.
My bulbs have arrived today, and look lovely. I cant wait to give them as gifts. Thank you.
Posted by: Liz | October 03, 2007 at 03:18 PM
What a lovely idea of the hearts, seeds and blubs as wedding favors! Love you site, it is always fun to see what you have posted. :) I posted about my garden today.
crystal
Posted by: Crystal | October 03, 2007 at 04:04 PM
I think that it is a very courageous decision to move your business on to the next stage. It will mean leaving some customers behind but I think that you are very sensible. It will allow you to channel your ideas into a concentrated area instead of using a scattergun approach. I admire you very much for recognising how the business needed to change and then doing something about it.
Posted by: Alice C | October 03, 2007 at 05:58 PM
Wedding favours are an anathema to me! but I understand in principle (just) – I think this is a very good idea to tap into a market where people throw the budget away!
The hearts are very attractive especially the ones using old embroidered tablecloths but personally I would be cheated if I were given bulbs….
With interest rates only going up then it was prudent to cut back on the cut flowers/shop; when it’s your own business you can do that.
Posted by: Gigibird | October 03, 2007 at 08:16 PM
Thanks for your feedback. I showed a few business type friends the hearts today (and some bridesmaid bags) and they were all very positive. Now I need to find some non-friends to have a look (much harder).
Debs I was so glad to get you comment as I am sorry that I won't see regular customers. I shall beat Christmas Fairs - locally at Katrina Gardner's in Croftamie, Amanda Reid's at the end of the road and at the Green Gallery, Buchlyvie!
Liz - glad that the bulbs got to you safely and that you are pleased with them.
Lynn, I think that favours is a dificult one - I think they are lovely if they are being given for the right reasons, but not if they are being got as simply another expected ingredient of the "perfect wedding". I'm not sure that I understand the feeling cheated with bulbs - I was thinking of things like paperwhite narcissi, which to be honest will grow even if you chuck it in a drawer.
J
x
Posted by: snapdragon | October 03, 2007 at 08:37 PM
YOur wedding favour hearts are beautiful ! Oh no selling flowers from your beautiful van any more ! You'll miss that I'm sure, but your right money is money at the end of the day.
Posted by: weirdbunny | October 04, 2007 at 12:41 AM
I think it's a good idea to have a harsh and uncompromising look at a business every now and then, and like you say, get rid of what needs to go. It's like me and the garden, I've finally got the courage up to take out plants (though grudgingly) and thin them out to make room. It's how your business will become even better and the things you're making and have in the pipeline sound marvellous. Oh if only I lived closer!
Posted by: Tash | October 05, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Hi Jane,
I love those beautiful hearts and feel sure that wedding guests would treasure them. What a great idea.
It is good to be able to step back and make business decisions that will improve your work and allow more time to focus on what is important ~ sometimes, it can be hard to see the wood for the trees when we are so busy trying to run a business.
Marie
Posted by: marie | October 15, 2007 at 12:48 AM