Sydney Markets Florist Awards 2008
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CONGRATULATIONS to 2008 Florist of the Month Award Winners
Monthly Winners 2008
October 2008 – Fine Flowers
Congratulations to the owners of Fine Flowers for winning the October Florist of the Month Award.
Pam Harman, owner of Fine Flowers in Katoomba was extremely excited about her recent win as she was presented the October Florist of the Month Award. This is yet another accolade she can add to her collection as she has previously been awarded a Florist of the Month and Florist of the Year in 2007 and more recently Pam was nominated as a finalist in the Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce Business Awards for Employer of the Year.
Pam worked for 16 years as an employee of Fine Flowers, before the opportunity to purchase the store became available to purchase only 2 years ago. Since then, Pam has built a wonderful team at Fine Flowers where you are always greeted with a big smile and a store filled with a friendly atmosphere.
“The achievement I am most proud of is the wonderful team we have at Fine Flowers. Everyone has an important role and contributes something special; and together all these elements create a strong unit, like a family, that just works! Whilst Fine Flowers is my shop, I feel all my team deserve credit for these awards as they have been a huge part of the shops success” said Pam.
Details: Fine Flowers, 167 Katoomba Street, Katoomba, NSW 2780, tel: (02) 4782 3062
September 2008 – Wamberal Florist
Coryl Beattie purchased Wamberal Florist with her husband Warwick 20 years ago and what once started as a business decision has now transformed into complete passion for the Central Coast duo.
“We thought (purchasing Wamberal Florist) would make an interesting life change. We decided that if it didn’t work for us, we could sell within 2 years, and here we are nearly 20 years later,” said Coryl.
Coryl keeps herself busy within the industry as she is also the District Director of NSW and ACT for Interflora and enjoys every moment.
“During the 7 years, I have met some wonderful people in the industry, and enjoy trying to help members and encourage them to develop their business.”
On top of this, Coryl makes the trip to Sydney Flower Market at least once a week as she understands the importance of being part of the Flower Market and having the opportunity to network amongst other customers.
“I believe it is important to be part of the Market, albeit occasionally, so that we as florists can accurately advise our customers about availability and quality etc. These things you learn about by seeing for yourself what is in the Market.”
“Conversations with other florists can often solve a problem or make you aware of a new product,” said Coryl.
Details: Wamberal Florist, 772 The Entrance Rd, Wamberal, NSW 2260, tel: (02) 4384 6494
August 2008 –Floriart
Bree Romans, owner of Floriat in Lugarno was excited about her recent win as she was presented the August Florist of the Month Award. This is a huge accolade as she only purchased the business less than 3 years ago.
Bree fulfilled her long time dream of opening her own floristry business after her first year of university.
“After finishing year 12 in 2001 I went to university and did a year of a Health Science course but decided I wanted to try Floristry so I enrolled in Tafe and never looked back,” she said.
Since opening Floriart, the store has won many awards in such a short period of time. In 2007 alone, Floriart won Outstanding Florist and Business of the Year in the local business awards and then went on to win Champion Florist for NSW and ACT.
“Winning these awards showed our customers and local community that we have a great small business and show excellent customer service. But with the Florist of the Year Program run by Sydney Markets, I think winning this award shows that you have high standards of floristry and flower care. It shows we really know our flowers!” said Bree.
Details: Floriart, Shop 2, 1020 Forest Rd, Lugarno, NSW 2210, tel: (02) 9584 1494
July 2008 –Dural Flower Farm Florist
Store owner Linda Peillizzer is the proud recipient of the July Florist of the Month Award. Linda has worked tirelessly for over 16 years to convert the family cottage at Dural into a beautiful florist shop.
As a customer, your sense of smell, sight and touch are all heightened when you enter Dural Flower Farm Florist. You’re greeted with a beautiful aroma of freshly cut flowers in a very cosy unique cottage setting where you flow from room to room. The flowers are all fresh from their own farm or purchased from Sydney Flower Markets.
The florist industry is well known in Linda’s family. Her parents settled in Glenorie and shared a farm growing carnations, with her father eventually purchasing the 10 acres in Dural where Linda is currently running Dural Flower Farm Florist. Linda’s younger brother Luca runs the family business ‘Boffo Flower Growers’ while Linda’s husband owns and runs ‘Dumont Rose Gardens’ in Glenorie.
After 16 years in the business, Linda still enjoys every moment of being a florist.
“I love creating wonderful arrangements with exquisite flowers that brightens someone’s day. I love weddings which allow me to design wonderful bouquets which add the finishing touch for a bride’s special day” said Linda.
Dural Flower Farm has also been a recipient of the Award of Excellence in 2007 and will automatically be entered into the 2008 Florist of the Year Award which will be announced at the NSW Flower Growers Ball in November.
Details: Dural Flower Farm Florist, 835 Old Northern Rd, Dural, NSW 2158, tel: (02) 9651 2780
June 2008 –Flamingo Florist
The June Florist of the Month Award has been won by Flamingo Florist located in Nowra, owned by Peter Phelps.
Peter purchased Flamingo Florist 32 years ago. His first experience with flowers was at the age of 14 after delivering flowers for his Aunt who was a florist in New Zealand. Since then, Peter has not looked back and has worked hard to not only open his own business, but to also be one of the longest continuous retailers in Nowra.
Peter has been inspired by the flower industry from the age of 19.
“I started going to the markets when they were at Pyrmont, driving up, starting at 1.30pm. I found them exciting as a young 19 year old. Meeting people like Tony Bassill’s father and the late Johnny Stiedler and other Industry leaders, hearing all the stories, watching and learning” he said.
The Florist Industry is well known to the Phelps family as Peter’s wife Annette also owns and runs her own studio.
“We are very competitive, we come together in our quiet time and talk shop, and we bounce ideas off each other or just discuss the good, the bad and the ugly about our industry” Peter said.
Peter believes that marketing and promotions are a key component of any successful business. He uses several tools including TV, radio, internet, yellow pages, sponsorships and word of mouth to ensure that the community in Nowra are aware of his services.
Details: Flamingo Florist, 88 Worrigee St, Nowra, NSW 2541, tel: (02) 4423 3511
May 2008 – The Floral Decorator
The May Florist of the Month Award has been won by The Floral Decorator in Erskineville, which is owned by Kelly Thomas.
Kelly became involved in the Florist Industry at the tender age of 15, and 24 years later has built a very successful business. After living in the Erskineville area for a couple years, Kelly realised there was a need for a beautiful flower shop and has been running the successful Floral Decorator there for 6 years now.
“We have a high standard of customer service, we care for our product and pass on that to our customers. We have a simple motto of keep the flower designs simple, we are here to compliment nature not contrive it,” said Kelly.
And for Kelly, she knows building strong relationships with the growers is very important for her and her business. “As I have a little bubba, we come (to the markets) every Wednesday. Mondays and Fridays we have the flowers sent out.
In previous times I use to go to the markets 3 times a week, during this time I had developed strong respectful relationships with the growers which has benefited these times having them sent out.”
The Floral Decorator is now in the running to win the ‘Florist of the Year’ award alongside the rest of the Florist of the Month winners.
Details: Floral Decorator, 112 Erskineville Road, Erskineville NSW 2043, tel: (02) 9516 3113
April 2008 – Flower Hut
For owner Jodie Day, this is yet another award she can add to her collection after also taking out the Florist of the Month Award in 2006 and the Award of Excellence in 2007.
Jodie purchased the store from her previous employer 5 years ago and since then; Jodie has maintained the shop at a high standard.
During her busy days as a business owner, Jodie also juggles her time in between the shop and teaching part time at Padstow Tafe. “This florist is a new challenge for me & one that I am thoroughly enjoying” Jodie said.
“Sharing my industry knowledge to up & coming florists is so we can continue to provide a high standard of floristry in this competitive market” Jodie knows that running a business can be difficult and appreciates the support from her parents and staff.
“My parents assist me when they can; my dad will do a market run for me once a week to give me a break” she said “My staff Jane & Alex, I couldn’t do it without them and we all enjoy having a laugh and working together.”
The Flower Hut receive a $1200 advertising package, $100 credit from Temples Sundries Florist and 1 month Free Parking at Sydney Markets.Details: Flower Hut South Hurstville, 64 Blakesley Rd, South Hurstville, tel: (02) 9547 1200
March 2008 – Maria’S Fresh Flowers
Padstow residents are very familiar with the March Florist of the Month winner, Maria's Fresh Flowers. The small shop located on Farvaly Road has been operating for over 15 years and continues to offer their customers the very latest in floral, bridal and corporate designs.
The family owned business run by Maria, husband Tony and her daughter Maryanne, all of whom have developed an appreciation for flowers and the floristry industry. No stranger to small business they previously owned a takeaway shop next door to where the small florist store is located and when the owners of the florist shop decided it was time to sell up, Maria and her husband decided to take over.
Since then the business has been booming with 2 shelves full of industry and business awards. “I can’t thank the community enough. Without their support our business would not be where it is today and we definitely would not have received as much recognition within the industry” said Maria.
Maria is always looking for a point of difference from her competitors and provides free local delivery and throw away bouquets with every wedding purchase.
“Through my designs I can change a person’s day, and bring a smile to their face, it’s an amazing feeling” said Maria.
Details: Maria's Fresh Flowers, 21 Faraday Road, Padstow NSW 2211, tel: 02 9773 9079
February 2008 –Tulipanna
Congratulations to the owners of Tulipanna, brother and sister team George and Anna Pizanis, for winning the first award of the year in the Florist of the Month Program.
Anna and George have been running the shop located in one of the worlds most well known locations, Bondi for over 5 years. The bright shop has a lot going for it, with the important components of running a successful business all ticked off, a great location, quality flowers, professional customer service and exceptional product knowledge.
It helps when you know and understand your industry, and in the case of Anna and George they certainly have an advantage, growing up in one of the longest serving florists in Australia. Anna and George’s father owned his business for many years before handing over the rope to his children. “Growing up in the industry was an amazing experience, it gave us the opportunity to express our creative flair for design and art” said Anna.
“For as long as we can remember, George and I grew up in a florist family empire” said Anna. As locals to Bondi it was inevitable the pair would purchase their first store in a very social, friendly, relaxed and ever changing atmosphere all elements that Bondi is renowned for.
The brother and sister team work closely on all aspects of the business with Anna taking care of the design side whilst George manages the stock and the day to day running of the business. It’s refreshing to see families working together in the aim of achieving successful results.
The pair are now in the running to win the ‘Florist of the Year’ award along side the rest of the Florist of the Month winners including March winner, Maria’s Fresh Flowers.
Details: Tulipanna, 133 Bondi Road, Bondi NSW 2026, tel: 02 9387 3991