62 episodes
My Small Business & Me Rona Wheeldon
-
- Business
-
-
5.0 • 65 Ratings
-
Are you a budding entrepreneur looking for inspiration to start your very first business? Or do feel that your small business is in need of a little va-va-voom? Then this podcast is essential listening. It has two elements - on the one hand your SMALL BUSINESS and on the other, YOU. Firstly, your SMALL BUSINESS. Host Rona Wheeldon from Flowerona speaks to entrepreneurs who share insights into what it takes to run a successful, sustainable and profitable business. You’ll hear how their companies have grown from ideas to reality, the challenges encountered along the way and lessons learned.Industry experts in web design, branding, marketing, photography, social media and coaching also providing insights into how to maximise your potential and build your small business, making sure that you have the essential knowledge and tools you need to grow. Secondly, YOU, the owner. Rona speaks to specialists who can help you, both mentally and physically - from fear, confidence and time management to personal styling advice, meditation and aromatherapy - you’ll gain an insight into how to prioritise your well-being. There’s so much that goes into a successful, happy entrepreneur. And listening to this podcast will ensure that you’ve got all the bases covered, when it comes to both your small business and you. So, hit subscribe, settle down and be inspired…!
-
British Cut Flowers Wholesaler | James Cock from Flowers by Clowance
#62 - British Cut Flowers Wholesaler James Cock from Cornwall-based Flowers by Clowance shares his small business journey.
Show notes are available on the My Small Business & Me website: https://mysmallbusinessandme.com/episode62
Flower Photography (iPhone Version) Online Course: https://learn.flowerona.com/flower-photography-iphone-version -
How to Be More Creative with Creativity Coach Richard Holman
#61 - Creativity Coach, Author, Writer and Speaker Richard Holman discusses a wide range of practical tips on how to be more creative. He also shares an insight into the 10 different demons featured in his new book, 'Creative Demons and How to Slay Them'.
Creative Demons and How to Slay Them Book by Richard Holman* | https://amzn.to/3Nr1srV
Show notes are available on the My Small Business & Me website: https://mysmallbusinessandme.com/episode61
Flower Photography (iPhone Version) Online Course: https://learn.flowerona.com/flower-photography-iphone-version
*Affiliate Link -
How to Spring Clean Your Website | Kelly Sparkes
#60 - WordPress Expert and Web Developer, Kelly Sparkes from Opal & Onyx is back to share masses of hints and tips about how to spring-clean your website. She not only shares advice regarding the front-end but also the back-end of your online presence.
Kelly is giving one lucky listener a free place on her workshop ‘Spring Clean your WordPress Website with Kelly’ on 12th May 2022. Just enter your details below to sign up to the waiting list and enter the competition, which closes on 10th May 2022. The winner will be notified by email.
https://opalandonyxstudio.com/spring-clean-your-website-podcast/
Show notes are available on the My Small Business & Me website: https://mysmallbusinessandme.com/episode60
Flower Photography (iPhone Version) Online Course: https://learn.flowerona.com/flower-photography-iphone-version -
Flowers for Ukraine | Floristry Demo by Shane Connolly
#59 - Have you heard about the 'FLOWERS FOR UKRAINE' online floristry fund-raising event with Shane Connolly, which is taking place on Wednesday, 6th April 2022?
Shane is asking for donations of at least £10 on his JustGiving page. And when you donate, you'll be invited to join him live on Wednesday evening from 7pm-8pm UK time.
He'll be creating sustainable floral designs using British flowers, donated by members of Flowers From The Farm. If you would like to take part, simply head over to Shane's Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ukraineshane
Show notes are available on the My Small Business & Me website: https://mysmallbusinessandme.com/epsiode59 -
Becoming a Florist and Opening a Flower School | Sarah Diligent
#58 - Floral Designer & Flower School Owner Sarah Diligent from Floribunda Rose shares her small business journey. Based in Hampshire, she provides British flowers for weddings and events, plus runs courses. She's also co-written the book, 'A Guide to Floral Mechanics'.
Whilst working abroad as a nanny, she started planning her UK wedding in 2013. Wishing to contribute to her big day, her Mum suggested that she did some of her wedding flowers. So, they went on a floristry course at Green & Gorgeous.
Although she didn't have any plans to become a florist, the course piqued her interest in flowers and she decided to enrol on an 'Introductory to Floristry' course at Merrist Wood. She tried to get work experience in a florist shop in London, but unfortunately to no avail.
On moving to Hampshire, she met Sybil, a Floristry Specialist at Hobbycraft. Their conversation led to her teaching Sarah every week for six months. Then under Sybil's guidance, Sarah started to do weddings.
In April 2014, Floribunda Rose was born. She knew that she wanted to only use British Flowers and practise sustainable floristry without floral foam. As well as selling bouquets in a local farm shop, she began to do more weddings and events.
She started to run workshops, which she really enjoyed, so much so that she set up a flower school, where she teaches sustainable floral design. She discusses the background of how her book with William Mazuch, 'A Guide to Floral Mechanics', came about, the process involved and now how it's selling all over the world. And she also shares her plans for 2022.
Listening to this episode, you'll hear how passionate Sarah is about sustainable floristry and British flowers. I'm sure you'll really enjoy the interview!
Show notes are available on the My Small Business & Me website: https://mysmallbusinessandme.com/episode58
Flower Photography (iPhone Version) Online Course: https://learn.flowerona.com/flower-photography-iphone-version -
Wedding Installation Specialist | Emma Hewlett
#57 - Wedding & Event Floral Designer Emma Hewlett shares her small business journey. Based in Devon, she set up Emma Hewlett Floral Design in 2010, And she specialises in hanging floral installations and lighting, assisted by her husband James.
With a background in theatre, Emma sidelined into event management in London. Whilst working in the capital, she spent a lot of her spare time visiting art museums and attending flower schools.
On moving back to London, during the day she worked for a marketing agency and in the evening, she worked at a theatre. And that’s where she met her husband James. She’d never come across somebody who loved their job so much. And she was really envious, as she didn’t have that in her job at the time.
Emma’s always been a creative person and so as her relationship with James progressed, she started to do more floristry outside of her day job. Initially, attending workshops, then working with Sabine Darrall. And she loved working in the world of floristry.
When she fell pregnant with her first child, James and Sabine encouraged her to set up her own floristry business. She got in touch with a local magazine and did some photoshoots. And she also got in touch with local venues and built a website. Her driving force was that she wanted to find a job that she loved. And her business has grown organically.
She specialises not only in wedding and event floristry, but also installations. For example, hanging chandeliers, flower clouds, oversize mantelpieces, staircases, archways and garlands. James, Emma's husband, who is a freelance production electrician, helps her with the installations and also lighting.
James and Emma discuss several of the installations that they've worked on together.
She shares the impact of the pandemic on her business, how she cared for her couples, created dried flower kits and a dried wedding flowers package.
Listening to this episode, you'll hear how passionate is about working in the wedding and event industry, together with creating large-scale floral installations. I'm sure you'll really enjoy the interview!
Show notes are available on the My Small Business & Me website: https://mysmallbusinessandme.com/episode57
Flower Photography (iPhone Version) Online Course: https://learn.flowerona.com/flower-photography-iphone-version
Customer Reviews
Loving this podcast .
Have been listening to Rona’s podcast since the very first episode. She has introduced me to some amazing florists and growers. Every week I look forward to listening yet another inspirational flower lover. It makes my day.
Love!
Absolutely love these podcasts, currently starting up my own business as well as working full time but with the aim of being able to work for myself at some point. Some days wondering ‘what am I doing’ but these episodes give you the push you may need. Thank you so much xx
Titles
When I started my flower business in 2014 I found two extraordinary and inspirational online tools, these were Flowerona’s Facebook group and The Talented Ladies Club on twitter. The talented ladies discussed things that would hold back women in business such as the language we use, we tend to say words like little, just, only, small in relation to our enterprises. Can you imagine that Richard Branson said I only have a little airline? No, of course not! So, much as I love these podcasts I am uncomfortable with them being called My small business and me. Could they not be My amazing Business and me, or my independent business and me? I do love the interviews though.
Judy, Blooming Chic Flowers, my fabulous independent flower business and me!