A florist who opened in the wake of a global recession has hailed her business as a success three years on.
After launching from a garage, mum-of-three Samantha Powell now provides flowers for more than 50 weddings a year from her Thorpe florist shop, The Little Flower Shop, in St Williams Way.
Opening in the wake of a recession was not an easy feat, but Mrs Powell said throwing herself in at the deep end had made her business stronger.
'I opened on December 1 in a recession and people said I was mad. But I said if I can't do this in this climate I will never do it,' she said.
Using a lot of local and organic flowers has been key to her success.
Three years on her shop is successful and provides employment for three people.
She said: 'It's about keeping it small and managing your margins better. You have to be creative and put an edge on your work so you stand out.'
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