“Instead of what seemed like a logical and safe option, I chose dreams!” –
find out about Iwona’s story
“I dream of creating a space where I can share my passion and show how to easily invite art and nature into my life.” – says Iwona Chlubek, a graduate of the Young Entrepreneurs Succeed!
Iwona, you have just started your own company – you offer a comprehensive floristic setting for events. Please tell us how it happened that you chose this path for your business.
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.
Have you always dreamed about it, or was the idea born spontaneously?
I knew I wanted to work with flowers. I was sure of that. However, I did not make the decision to start my own business spontaneously. It was preceded by many thoughts, analyzes of market opportunities and my abilities. So the decision was rather rational.
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. I travel between the venues 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.
Please tell us about your situation before joining the program realized by the Youth Business Poland Foundation.
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.
What did participation in the YES! program give you? – Young Entrepreneurs Succeed implemented by the Youth Business Poland Foundation?
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.
What has been the biggest challenge for you so far in developing your own business?
Running a sole proprietorship requires me to be active in all areas related to the company. The most important thing for me is contact with the client and the execution of orders. However, at the same time, I have to keep up to date with regulations, accounting and social media. In the multitude of duties, there is not enough time for further training in individual areas. I know that in addition to floristic courses, I could also devote time, for example, to training in e-marketing. However, you can’t be the best at everything, and it’s important to find time to rest as well.
Thinking about a breakthrough moment in developing your business – what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
The beginning was the most groundbreaking. Decision on the choice of fields of study and development path. Gardening instead of previously planned dentistry. Then I took a chance for the first time. I decided to pursue my dreams instead of choosing what seemed like a logical and safe option. Every next step was a consequence of that decision.
What are your future business plans?
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.
What do you think is the key to success in starting your own business?
I think it’s determination and patience. And it’s both to the people with whom we will cooperate and meet on our way (clients, officials), but also to ourselves and our business. It is extremely important to be able to anticipate possible scenarios, realistically plan, and at the same time flexibly modify one’s intentions and adapt them to factors beyond our control.
Do you have a “recipe for success”? What advice would you give yourself as you start your own business?
Not all at once! At the beginning, the number of issues and topics to deal with is enormous, and the experience is minimal. It takes a lot of time to acquire the necessary knowledge in all areas. I remember how frustrated I was that there was so much I still didn’t understand. However, there are many people around us, talented in various fields, who willingly share their experience. Therefore, the most important thing is not to be afraid to ask questions and not to be ashamed to accept help.
Iwona, thank you very much for the interview.
You can find Iwona’s works here:
Instagram: flower_day_florystyka
Facebook: FlowerDay
