Northampton florist encourages support as it is ‘a constant struggle’ to get people to know where she is
The founder of a long-standing florist is encouraging support from the Northampton community as it is “a constant struggle” to get people to know where she is.
Michelle Coleman opened Cottonbuds Florists on St Leonard’s Road in 2010, before making the move to the nearby Haines Road last year after her previous rent rose to an unsustainable level.
Michelle launched the business with the support of her mother Sue Thomson, who still supports with deliveries and accounts at 75 years old. They are joined by adorable pup Daisy, who Michelle brings to work everyday and describes as her head of quality control.
The business owner previously worked in hospitality before retraining in floristry at Moulton College. The change in career direction was hoped to be more flexible and family-friendly.
“We have daily fresh flowers to create made-to-order bouquets for local delivery, funeral tributes and wedding flowers,” said Michelle. “We offer flowers for all occasions to suit the customer.”
Michelle’s sister lived on St Leonard’s Road and Michelle eyed up a building on the street that she thought would make a nice florist, even before she retrained in the profession.
“It was still empty a year later when I finished my course and it’s like it was made for me,” said Michelle. “People have always liked that we’re small, local and friendly. We fit in with the family community.”
Cottonbuds Florists specialise in funeral tributes, which are made bespoke in any shapes that are personal to the individuals who have passed away. Michelle is passionate about creating exactly what customers envision.
“We’re lucky to have a wholesale in Northampton and I go every morning,” said Michelle. “I always have fresh flowers and nothing sits here for very long at all. I have a good reputation for long-lasting flowers and people like that it’s better value for money.
“I do have regular customers and there’s one man who rings from Australia to order his mum flowers for her birthday, Christmas and Mother’s Day. She’s 103 and I’ve been doing her flowers for years.”
Michelle is proud to have taken a “leap of faith” to start her business venture 16 years ago, and she wants the Northampton community to know she has not gone anywhere – which is an achievement in itself.
The founder’s proudest moment is that she purchased the building she operates from in Haines Road, and that the business grew enough for her to be able to do that.
“I hope to stay as I am but get busier,” said Michelle. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I just want to stay here, do my thing and get busier as everyone would like to.”