Flowerland blooms from 10 dozen roses

This season of hearts, romance is indeed relevant for one to be inspired to start his or her own business. 

Christine Fadriga, a native of Bacolod, has been successfully operating her Flowerland for the past 20 years.  But despite the passing decades she could still recount every single detail of how her flower shop was then realized.  Of course, who would ever forget how romantic the story behind her flower shop was.  

Christine recalled that it was during her second date with her husband, when she was given 10 dozens of roses.  But unlike other typical girls, the business-minded Christine sold the roses; and it was then the birth of Flowerland.

This delightful and booming flower shop is strategically located at Jesus Avila Building, Century 21 Mango Ave., Cebu City.  It is now one of the major flower distributors here in Cebu and the reliable distributor of flowers in Carbon Market and some other flower shops in the city.  They also have flower networks in Bohol, Dumaguete, and Bacolod.

This business is a joint partnership with her husband but more often, Christine does the ins and out of their business considering her great know-how on the flower business.  She stressed out that she is truly savvy when it comes to flowers and identifying its nature. “I know the flower..” She could distinguish a flower from Davao to a flower from Baguio or Luzon.  That alone could give everyone a word that she knows best about her business.

Flowerland is in fact for people from all walks of life.  According to Christine, everyone needs and likes flowers. “ People from A – D need flowers.. everybody needs flowers..” She believes that flowers are important to every occasion that we undertake.  In her store, you could find almost all the flowers that a man would ever desire to offer to a girl.

They sell the much loved roses, mums, daisies millions fresh from Baguio, Luzon, and Davao. Along with the most expensive above all is the “equador rose” which is exported straight from Equador.  A single bouquet of equador rose is sold at the lowest price of P350; a dozen of it can be bought at P4000.  Baskets arranged with flowers are normally sold at P1,800, P2000 up to P3000.  Yet those prices are indeed very reasonable and evenhanded, bearing in mind the unique and expensive taste of its decoration and design which Christine personally does assisted by her magicians. 

She calls her workers her flower “magicians” because they know how to spellbind ordinary flowers to elegant and sophisticated flower arrangement.  Flowerland does not only focus on vending flowers, they also trade balloons, chocolates, wines, everything that would melt a girl’s heart most especially for this month of love.

After 20 years of establishing this business, Christine could still not even believe that she has been blessed with this successful business.  Just very recently, Christine opened a flower shop in California, which is managed by her friend.  Eventually, in time, Flowerland will not only be famous here in Cebu.  It will not only be known locally but it will be recognized internationally.

Successful entrepreneurs have always had this secret of their booming businesses.  As for Christine, she stresses more on dedication, hardwork, luck and above all – prayers. “..it’s not only money,money,money..in business, it takes also dedication, hardwork and a lot, a lot of luck.. And you pray.”  Christine has always believed that money is only a factor in business; it should not stop one from delving more.  A determined entrepreneur should think for that something he loves but should never forget to pray.  Christine believes that prayer could best guide you into your business.

But, in the case of Flowerland, it would still be romantic if we will trace its birth from the time her husband gave her 10 dozens of roses.