News
22 November, 2023
It’s the scent of success for Your Somerset Florist
Toogoolawah-based florist Sarah Jane Coleman won a highly commended award in this year’s Wedding Industry Awards, which took place on the night of Tuesday, November 7.
Your Somerset Florist QLD was among 1,000 businesses nominated in the Southern Queensland Country region for the Wedding Industry Awards, with Sarah having owned and managed the Somerset business for 15 years.
Your Somerset Florist’s highly commended achievement was effectively a runner-up placing in the Wedding Florist category, with Blooms of Warwick taking out top spot.
This came two years after Sarah’s business achieved a top-five placing in the same category, when the awards were known as Brides Choice Awards.
Sarah was out shopping when the Wedding Florist category award recipients were named on the night of the Melbourne Cup, before she received an email the following morning to notify her of her achievement.
“I was very surprised and a bit humbled, and proud of myself to know my brides were happy with my work,” she said.
While Sarah hasn’t had any qualified florists working for her, she has had dear friends and family support for a number of years, while many other competitors’ businesses have had numerous qualified staff, including those who specialise in weddings.
Happy with her second placing, Sarah said it nagged a bit to miss out on top spot, which meant she would strive to go one better next time.
Sarah’s work in the past 12 months included arrangements for the Somerset Mayoral Ball and Toogoolawah Show Ball, in addition to usual events such as weddings, funerals and birthdays.
Sarah said she had become more business-oriented with the guidance of a small business and a financial coach, while she also made a significant move in late August as she changed premises.
After having a shopfront for a few years, which she said was a necessity to cope with work demands during covid, Sarah returned to her backyard studio; cutting overhead costs and keeping flowers affordable for everyone.
Sarah said things had changed a lot since the times before and during covid up to now, as flowers were still highly sought while the cost of living was more challenging for people.
