Florist launches in Ramsbottom with five-figure loan

A Greater Manchester entrepreneur has launched a florist business in Ramsbottom, near Bury, with a five-figure loan.

Rebecca Watson used a £15k cash boost from Manchester lender Business Finance Solutions to establish Dainty Daisies, a new enterprise offering flowers and handmade gifts along with a room-dressing service for weddings, funerals and other events.

With experience in creating floral decorations and bouquets for both her brother’s and her sister’s weddings, Rebecca decided to turn her ideas into a family-run business, hiring her aunt to help make gifts and bringing her step father on board as a delivery driver.

After taking a floristry course, Rebecca approached BFS for support with a loan and assistance with business and financial planning.

She commented: “Taking the leap to start the business has been a lot easier thanks to the loan and support from BFS.

“Having a shop presence that I can now promote and become known for locally will enable me to really build and grow the business, hopefully opening another shop within the next couple of years.”

Rebecca continued: “What I want to do with Dainty Daisies is to make sure that the look and feel of the whole day is designed creatively and cost effectively down to the last detail – from the table decorations and bridal flowers to gifts and mementos.”

Alex Mearns, a loan officer at BFS, said the UK cut flower and indoor plant market is currently believed to be worth around £2.2bn annually.

Speaking further, Alex said: “Like many successful entrepreneurs Rebecca has taken her passion and created a great business idea from it and we were able to help her with the funding and support she needed to get Dainty Daisies off the ground.”

BFS, which forms part of the Manchester Growth Company, is the North West delivery partner for the government’s UK-wide £310m Start Up Loans programme. The firm is also a lending partner of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.