Locals to Love: Flowers, plants & homewares - As Daisy Does
One of the amazing things about belonging to the Geelong and Bellarine community is the apparently endless supply of entrepreneurs, artists, and service providers we’re lucky enough to call our own.
As a way of sharing the love (you know I like to share what lights me up!), I’m introducing you to some folk I adore, since I reckon these are creators you will like, too.
This is the third instalment of my Geelong Locals to Love initiative, and I’m chatting with the ever lovely Daisy from As Daisy Does.
This absolute firecracker of a human and her gorgeous staff are some of the most down to earth providers of flowers, plants and giftwares in the Greater Geelong region. Wandering through Daisy’s colourful, eclectic store is a delight - there’s always music, laughter and a friendly face to help you out - which is no doubt why it’s my fella’s favourite places to go when he wants to gift me something a bit special!
I know the Geelong mamas I serve are a lot like me - we love our plants and flowers, and cannot go past something pretty for the living room mantle.
I cannot think of a better way to bring a smile to your face after a long night with a wakeful newborn than a simple bouquet of beautifully arranged flowers, fresh coffee in a hand crafted ceramic mug, and sunshine filtering in through a macrame planter.
Daisy has all this and more, and visiting her space feels like a holiday.
Come meet Daisy, mamas - I think you’ll really like her. x
What’s the name of your business, who do you serve, and what’s your goal or mission statement?
The name of my business is 'asdaisydoes' (conveniently), we serve Geelong and surrounds (but post Aus wide) and our main mission or goal is to provide beautiful products, flowers and plants at affordable prices.
We love supporting all of our local growers, makers and shakers... Every day is fun and our customers are the BEST!
What would you say is unique about your business?
I think our most unique aspect is our in house designed ranges, these fall under the brand of 'Urban Diddle'. They are a massive point of difference for our store and we find that a lot of customers visit us purely with the intent of securing a gorgeous Urban Diddle piece.
In terms of flowers, our 'Quickie' wedding is an integral part of 'asdaisydoes' and has been our point of difference for years. We developed this to step away from the overwhelming direction that wedding flowers were heading in, we wanted to pull things back and make wedding flower shopping fun and simple! It has gone NUTS and it draws out the customers that really don't want a big 'fuss' over their wedding flowers. It's fresh, in season and gorgeous blooms at fab prices!
What inspired you to start your business, and what keeps you loving it?
My love of flowers and homewares! I have grown up amongst the garden with my mum and grandma, but I have also grown up with a very trendy mother! Her ceramics collection is INSANE.
I definitely got my homewares addiction from her!
I did hit a lull a few years ago during which I felt like I had discovered most of the products I could, things started to look repetitive and I was struggling to source something unique to us. So, I started 'Urban Diddle'
and 'Cotta co' ... I now have a full range of pots (designed by me) in production, and, we wholesale Australia wide.
How do you define success?
Through happiness!
I think chasing numbers is pointless... People chase followers/likes etc.. That's all fine! But you hit 10,000 followers and you want 15. You hit 15 and you want 20. There is never a point at which you can really sit back and feel like you have 'accomplished' something if you're constantly striving for numbers.
If I get up excited for work, I'm successful.
If my staff are happy, I'm successful.
If I have a great work/life balance. I'm successful.
Can you think of a time that a past apparent failure set you up for later success? Do you have a ‘favourite failure’?
My favourite failure was my absolute ignorance when I decided to start importing products! I jumped online, found a cool product, trusted someone I shouldn't have and started selling away... Only to find out later that this product was a total rip off. I had to dispose of an entire container of product, and I got the wake up call I needed. I got lazy!
Sometimes you need a good failure to wake you up and make you reassess what you're doing. I love designing products, but I had gotten complacent. This made me slow down and really decide what I WANTED to import, which was my own designs. No more shortcutting. I get SO much more enjoyment out of the whole process now and I love importing product and working with our amazing manufacturers in perfecting every piece.
What do you love most about running a business?
My staff, and the people! I love going to work and hanging out with my staff.. Who I would consider friends more than staff. They make my job enjoyable.
What have you learned or realised as a business person that’s surprised you?
That anyone can do it! I had NO idea how to start a business, I now realise that it's all about how passionate you are. Experience will come.
In the past several years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?
Work on your business, not in it. This was a GAME CHANGER for me. I used to try to do everything myself, and it resulted in me having no balance and no personal life.
By delegating jobs that aren't my forte (accounting cough**) I get to focus on the things I AM good at! By hiring a staff member to assist with flowers, I got to develop the 'Quickie Wedding'. Delegating might cost money in the short term, but what it buys you back is PRICELESS when you're a creative person. Focus on what you're good at!
Can you share something that happened in your business this past week that made you smile?
I went to Noosa for a week and my amazing staff ran the shop without a care in the world! I didn't stress about it, I lay on a beach and relaxed.
My staff made me smile!
What’s an absurd or unusual thing that you absolutely love?
Chickens. I am OBSESSED with my chickens. If you get it, you get it
How do you unwind after a crazy day?
I go for a run with my dogs! The best stress relief in the world, puts me at ease (afterwards, not during!).
What is your favourite thing to gift?
Urban Diddle of course.. I wouldn't be much of an advocate for my own brand if I didn't gift it! : )
If you could arrange a gigantic billboard where everyone would see it every day, what would it say and why?
It would say:
'SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS'
It's a constant grind getting customers through the doors, but, that's the only way we can survive!
Right now is the toughest it has ever been and we need all the support we can get, we want to keep doing what we love.
And a few RAPID FIRES:
Tea or Coffee?
Coffee!
Chocolate or Ice Cream?
Ice Cream
Dress or Jeans?
Dress
Wine or Beer?
Wine
Book or Podcast?
Podcast
TV Series or Movie?
Movie
Insta or FB?
Insta!
I kid you not, they are always laughing.
If you’ve an idea of a local business from whom you reckon this community would like to hear, let me know! You can reach out to me here.