The Story Behind

This year's V'day is finally over. Didn't sleep on 13th and drove the entire 14th. It was great experience. That's the joy of owning your own business I guess - it brings the best out of your - your every extra ounce of energy and leadership.

.

This biz originated from Mingyan and myself. She had a primary school friend who is the son of a flower importer. I was in army then. Sensing the opportunity with the readily potential customers in my camp, Mingyan got me to order some roses together from her friend, and we began collecting order from friends around. We stayed up all night to wrap bouquets - with minimal skill. We were inexperience, BUT we were willing to learn and to try. The following years were the building up years where I outsourced the production to a florist in order to ensure quality bouquets. And the branding - that's when Petals & Co. was formed, by Nasrul (my former Uni mate), Hweeting (who later opted out of the biz) and myself.

.

This is the 5th year I'm doing this. In fact, I was contemplating if I should continue with this or not. This year's planning began with some interesting collaboration, only to turn out to be some unfulfilled words and blank talk by suppliers. I learnt a great deal. Didn't want to continue the biz this year actually, but I thought I should at least use this to be a blessing and teach some ppl interested to get a taste of biz, than to just gave up the entire operation without impacting anyone.

.

Gotten Tenghui (my sec classmate and collegemate) and Jane (his gf) involved. A very interesting couple - Tenghui met Jane on the street when he was doing roadshow as a just-started-out insurance agent. He got her contact, and quitted his insurance job thereafter.

.

This v'day is meaningful - I helped an army buddy with a proposal bouquet - delivered to JAAN restaurant up at the high tower of Swissotel Stamford Hotel. Our delivery and operation went so smoothly, without late/wrong delivery. I credited that to the prayers I made. Thank God.
.
I know this is good training ground. Many times I wished for my friends who have similar aspiration to join me on the road, but only to remember that everyone has their own priorities.

To those aspiring to start your own business, be far-sighted and not despise small beginning. You can make a difference if you will to do so.

.

Your life is a result of your choices; You set your own standards.