It’s almost Valentine’s Day and I have been thinking of nice gifts to give my loved ones. Have you ever experienced thinking about something and suddenly it happens? The other day, I was ‘intensely’ looking and searching for things to give my loved ones for Valentine’s Day, and I couldn’t think of anything. I stress over these kinds of things and thoughts. Then that night, I came across Fruits in Bloom. It was the perfect gift! It was such an innovative idea! Imagine, who would have thought of creating an arrangement made out of fruits in the shape of flowers? It was just a brilliant and innovative idea.
I decided to contact the owner and I got to talk with Leah Dy. Mompreneur Leah is the wfe to Francis Dy, a businessman. She is also a mother to Leanne (11yo) and Yohji (8yo). Daughter to Arch and Mrs del Rosario.
I got to interview Leah about Fruits in Bloom and this is what we talked about:
Interview with Mompreneur Leah Dy of Fruits in Bloom
Ginger: Hi Leah! Can you tell us more about Fruits in Bloom?
Leah: Fruits in Bloom creates Gourmet Arrangements made of fresh fruits designed artistically for any occasion. These fruit arrangements can be enjoyed in so many ways. It is a great gift for any occasion such as Birthdays, Anniversaries or Just Because. Instead of debating flowers over pastries for hospital visit, this arrangement answers both that surely cheers up the patient. Wedding centerpieces can be practical yet elegant with Fruits in Bloom arrangement that surely leaves a statement to your guest. Business Meetings or Conferences need not be dull and boring with its fruit platter served fresh for everyone’s thinking tank. Parties and Cocktails are adorned if it’s done with Fruits in Bloom. Fruits in Bloom Gourmet Arrangement cater every occasion in the calendar.
Arrangements are delivered to every recipient with much attention. Packed in food grade cartons, each arrangement is handled by its delivery specialists to maintain its freshness.
The company strives to stimulate its market continuously with its strength of Fresh, Innovative and Premium design and service, truly Fruits in Bloom.
Ginger: How did you come up with this idea? What made you decide to start this kind of business?
Leah: The idea for Fruits in Bloom was planted in our minds five years ago – unknown to one another, we have all separately explored foreign franchises for this concept but something was always amiss.
Then one lazy evening early 2011, three of us were casually talking about business ideas and boom (or should we say bloom) – Fruits in Bloom was born. We are friends and family who share a common passion for creativity, love for the finer things in life and the drive to go beyond the ordinary
Every Fruits in Bloom creation is the brainchild of our creative team headed by Pat Kierulf-Mauricio who collaborates with Ancherie Ohagen, a London based designer by profession and Malinie Nimmanwathana, based in Bangkok, Thailand to bring you our unique collection of fruit arrangements. Our creative team can design customized arrangements to fit your theme and motif as well.
Ginger: Were there any obstacles that you faced when you decided to pursue becoming a Mompreneur? What are these?
Leah: Time. Balancing time and being productive all at the same time was a challenge. Often times my daughter would call me asking me what time I’d go home- it pains me to say I won’t be home yet since I’m still at work. The thing is, I have other businesses also and one of the other business I have is a spa (day spas situated in hotels) and my spas operate until the wee hours so there are days I’d really come home late as I visit and check my spas so hearing my daughter’s voice looking for me is really painful. I have learned to adjust my time- I have agreed not to work on weekends except for special events and occasions (Mother’s day and Valentine’s Day) so I get to spend time with them. I also explain the nature of my work to her and when possible, I bring her with me so she knows what I do. I like my work and I love my family and I need both of them right now so I make sure I give time to both.
Ginger: What are three traits that you think a Mompreneur should have when starting their own business?
Leah: Hard work, Passion and Dedication.
Hard work means knowing your business, being able to do all the things that needed to be done- you shouldn’t be afraid that a staff/employee might leave because you know the business. Plan your business strategically to keep you focus. Passion- to have the desire to be good and be the best on your field and Dedication, dedicate your time and effort on your goal in order to succeed.
Ginger: Any unforgettable moments or lessons that you learned as a Mompreneur?
Leah: Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are our all time year high. We do not sleep on these occasions. Our production is round the clock; our staffing multiplies in volume; orders are extremely high; delivery has always been a struggle (traffic- demand); we do not see our beds till the 3rd day— this has been our cycle since we had Fruits in Bloom. My husband jokes me that having Fruits in Bloom saves him from expensive dinner dates on the 14th but at the end of the day, bringing smiles to our clients, delivering their arrangements on time and making the recipient happy is always fulfilling. It pays all the hard work.
Ginger: What advice can you give to other Mompreneurs?
Leah: Know what you want and believe you can achieve it. You have to start from somewhere to get to your goal It doesn’t matter if it takes baby steps to achieve your goal, what matters is you take steps to achieve it.
Ginger: How do you market your products?
Leah: In today’s age of social media, tweeting, posting and promoting your business online is easier. However, I believe in the old school, basic key of marketing- ‘word of mouth’- if a client is happy, they will spread the word and that word multiplies instantly. So its happy client=good sales. Fruits in Bloom does after sales and in doing so we make sure to be efficient and precise in doing this. It’s simple and efficient which our client appreciates.
Ginger: Thank you so much, Leah! I really loved hearing about your story. And stay tuned everyone! This week Fruits in Bloom and Mommy Ginger will be holding a giveaway tomorrow. Visit this site again to know more about it!
Fruits in Bloom Contact Information:
Fruits in Bloom Website: www.fib.com.ph
Email address: fibstore@fib.com.ph
Mobile Number: 09336244119
Facebook Page: fruitsinbloom philippines
Twitter account: fruitsinbloom
IG account: @fruitsinbloom