Iwona Chlubek
- Describe briefly what the business idea is based on.
Iwona Chlubek is a graduate of the YES! program. She graduated with a master’s degree in horticulture and a floristic school and today runs her own business – FlowerDay . Iwona offers a comprehensive floristic setting for events.
2. Why have you started your own company and offering a comprehensive floristic setting for events?
I think it was due to several factors. I have loved art, nature and creative manual work since I was a child. The course of education helped me gain valuable knowledge. I also worked for several years in flower shops, gaining practical skills. Against the background of all my experiences, I felt that my favorite challenges were those related to the organization of large events – primarily weddings. From the stage of looking for inspiration, determining the color of napkins and varieties of roses, to the implementation of large decorations in wedding halls. I love the thought that with flowers, with my participation, this special day becomes even more beautiful. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and the FlowerDay project was born.
3. What was your situation before joining the program?
Before joining the program, I focused mainly on my own education. I graduated from master’s studies in gardening, floristic school and for several years I was gathering professional experience. So I knew how to work with flowers, but I had no idea how to run a business.
4. What are the main benefits of joining the program in your opinion? What did you get?
Firstly, it gave me the basic knowledge of running my own business. It allowed to systematize, rethink and plan many business issues. Experts from various fields shared their knowledge, answered our questions and dispelled doubts. At the beginning of the road in business, this is invaluable.
But YES! – it’s mostly people. Meeting other people with their ideas was extremely inspiring for me. Most of them were my peers, starting in various industries, sometimes with very innovative projects. Their zeal and enthusiasm was very motivating for me.
5. What does your work look like on a daily basis?
In the wedding business, work is seasonal. During the summer months, at night, I search for the most beautiful flowers at the market, then I condition them properly and prepare compositions, bouquets and all elements of the decor. It travels between the places of the ceremony and the wedding halls, taking care of both the assembly of decorations and their disassembly after the ceremony. It is physical work, in the field, under time pressure. Everything must be buttoned up, every flower fresh and in the perfect shade of pastel pink. Everything according to the plan.
But that doesn’t mean I only work part of the year. At the end of the season, I smoothly switch to office work mode. It is then that I have the most conversations with clients, create offers and valuations, complete formalities, plan purchases and order logistics. This is the part of my profession that is not usually visible, and also requires a lot of commitment and time from me.
6. What are your plans for the future?
I definitely plan to expand my business beyond the wedding industry over time. I really enjoy working with people and I would like to do more and more of it. That’s why I’m thinking about running floristic workshops. I dream of creating a space where I can share my passion and show how to easily invite art and nature into my life. It will be a place for everyone who wants to learn something new and spend creative time in good company.
You can find Iwona’s works here:
Instagram: FlowerDay
Facebook: FlowerDay