We were lucky to catch up with Lynda Lee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lynda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

As a single mother of three boys, with two on the way to college, I faced a pivotal choice: to cling to the security of my desk job or dare to chase my dreams of owning and operating a small business. Despite the uncertainties, I took the leap, risking my salary and what I thought was security and stability. I did my research and a small business was born, fueled by the belief that there had to be something better for us. The journey has been challenging. I acquired a small floral shop just a few months before the pandemic lockdown. Even in the face of adversity, the flame of determination has been burning brighter.

Flowers and plants captivates me, as the blooming and blossoming never fail to inspire. The joy of giving or receiving flowers brings happiness to everyone. These are the reasons behind my decision to venture in the floral business.

A little backstory:

The last few years before I dared to take this risk two things helped my consideration. I searched for my mother, who left me behind at just under 2 years old. It had been 40 years later that we reunited. I took from her possibly just one thing. She told me that despite not speaking English very well as she was a Korean immigrant, she was still able to be successful. She told me I could do anything. The other situation that helped me take the risk was becoming a friend to my former boss. We are about the same age. She lived in a beautiful home and had this confidence that I admired. To be honest I did feel a bit of resentment that I was working hard, studying hard (I still take college classes here and there. I call myself a lifelong learner), but I felt that I was doing this for my bosses. I wanted something more that just admiring others and admiring others’ gardens.

Lynda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My story begins not merely as a commercial endeavor, but as a journey for love of flowers and plants. I believe that flowers have the power to convey emotions and create moments that will linger forever. I decided to turn my love for blooms into a business. My shop is a haven for those seeking distinctive and creative floral expressions. Each piece we create is a unique piece of art that reflects not only the flowers natural beauty, but also the sentiment behind each creation.

What sets my flower shop apart is the personal touch that we create. Whether it’s flower arranging workshops or just a visit to my shop to smell and admire the plants and flowers, I pride myself on offering more than just flowers, I provide an experience.

My flower shop specializes in catering to all events from weddings and corporate events to funerals, celebration of life, bar mitzvahs, birthdays, and every gathering in between.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Securing funds for my business was the most crucial part of my journey. Initially I viewed it as my barrier, but I changed my mindset and looked to past relationships and life lessons to find my answers. I visited the library and I took to researching ways to fund a small business. I started with a business plan then went on to share this with angel investors. I invested every penny I had, even setting aside some bills. To kickstart the process, I made significant lifestyle adjustments by downsizing my living means.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

Creating floral arrangements and decor is a both an innate skill and a result of countless hours of hands-on training and experience. My journey began with the basics of floral arranging, but then I completed a florist certification course. My business and accounting background, I am able to manage the backend of my business. The invaluable lessons came from two of my seasoned designers, each with over 20 years of experience. They shared their techniques for processing flowers and the tips and tricks to creating unique and fashionable designs. Through all this, I discovered my unique approach to the art of floral design. Always learning!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lovelynflowers.com
• Instagram: flowersbylovelyn
• Yelp: Love, Lyn Flowers