'2009 had to be the worst year to start a business, but for me it was very exciting.'Allaboutbusiness.ie speaks to entrepreneur Kamla Waite about opening her new shop Kamla Flowers during the toughest time possible.

Since she was a little girl Kamla has been passionate about flower arranging and always dreamed of opening her own flower shop.

After a career break and having two children Kamla decided that the time was finally right for her to realise her dream. She opened the doors of Kamla Flowers to the Cork public in 2009 and hasn’t looked back since!

Putting Down Roots
In a year of economic meltdown, starting out in 2009 was no easy task. The first challenge that Kamla faced was getting the initial funding needed to get the shop up and running. After carefully researching the different possibilities available Kamla decided to personally finance all of the start up. “It was tough, almost no one was lending, and if they were the interest rates were huge, I decided to just go for it myself!”

Kamla uses traditional marketing techniques to promote her business.  During her opening week her children helped her distribute flyers near the shop. She also placed advertisements in relevant magazines and newspapers, such as the Cork Independent.

However, Kamla says that networking groups and word of mouth have had the most impact on her business. “Joining a networking group was probably the thing that helped me out the most” she says. “I got an enormous amount of support, advice, and business from them.”

Against the Grain
Although the primary focus of Kamla Flowers is still flower arranging, Kamla has extended her business into other areas such as jewellery and candles. Kamla says diversity is essential when trying to improve sales in a difficult economy.

“We try to look at the whole picture and offer our customers a service that they won’t get anywhere else. For example, we even sell ice-cream in the store! It keeps the kids quiet while their parents are busy browsing!” Kamla says it is this personalised strategy that gives her shop its competitive edge.

Coming up Roses
Kamla would like to expand the business in the future, and possibly open more shops in Ireland. “I don’t want to spread myself too thin though. I like the artistic licence that having one shop gives me, it allows me to work with clients in a one on one setting and create something that matches their personality. I never want to feel like a factory, making identical things!” she says.

To future entrepreneurs Kamla says that taking risks can be challenging but it is the most exciting part of setting up a business. Her advice is that “Risks can be turned into opportunities if you are prepared to take them. As long as you plan ahead, and keep believing in yourself and your ability to succeed, you’ll be fine!”

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Kamla Flowers