05/11/2024
At the start of 2024, I was ready to quit F&R.
We’d had a few awful Christmas markets, lost a large amount of stock due to a leak at the studio and I was so mentally burnt out. Then - this year’s Valentine’s orders were the lowest amount we’ve had.
Inspiration and motivation to create was so low, posting on socials felt pointless due to low engagement. Adding on rising flowers prices, plus customers having smaller budgets to work with - it became so hard. During the early part of the year, I was prepared to just honour my existing bookings and then bow out.
Now we’re nearly a year on and due to my own stubbornness, plus a lot of pep talks from my favourite people - I decided to keep pushing and stick it out, because F&R is my baby and I love her.
I’ve changed up the way I want the business to run, put some new ideas into motion and things feel exciting again!
I’ve watched some incredible vendors, artists and makers close their businesses this year due to drops in sales and bookings, alongside their work being constantly duped and ripped off by Temu, Shein, supermarkets ect. It’s honestly heartbreaking. It’s probably only going to get worse.
All of this is to say - running a business is really really fu***ng hard. It’s also really fun and exciting, but mostly it’s hard.
If you’ve ordered from or booked us this year, thank you so much!
If you’ve shared a post, told a friend or left a review, thank you too!
We’re now into Christmas shopping time and this period is vital for so many small businesses. I know we all beg this every year, but please, please shop small and independent where you can!
But if you see a small biz you love posting their products or services - please like, comment, share and save that post. It helps so much more than you’d realise.
The same goes for events and hospitality businesses - If you’ve used an event vendor or visited a venue and loved them, shout about it!
Leaving reviews on Google, FB or just popping them a cute message also really helps!
Anyway, thanks for reading this lil brain dump and thanks for being here 🖤
Sending love and caffeine to all my small business pals as we go into silly season!
Annabelle x
