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A Fair Deal For Flowers - Anna's Fab Fair Flowers

8/14/2018

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Picture
​Waltham Forest Business Network’s Jo Sealy meets a florist with a passion for fairness
Mary Robertson with daughter Anna, after who her business Anna’s Fab Fair Flowers is named
When Chingford-based Mary Robertson followed her daughter into taking up a floristry course it opened up a whole new family business venture.
Before her daughter Anna was born, Mary used to run a Fairtrade shop based on the importance of ethics in business. Contemplating what her daughter Anna would do when she completed college, she dreamed up the idea of ‘Anna’s Fab Fair Flowers’ and the business started trading last spring.
The florist sells flowers from the Chingford site of local food producer Organiclea, ensuring the flowers are both local and organic.
Mary says: “We sell cut flowers as bouquets tied with Fairtrade ribbon or in a selection of Fairtrade, upcycled or vintage containers. These can be bought at cost-price or returned each week at no cost.
“There’s a Saturday stall outside the Hornbeam at Baker’s Arms and there’s the option of local deliveries too.
“My daughter Anna has learning difficulties and suffers from epilepsy – she’s very unlikely to get a conventional job but I’m hoping that this little family business will suit her really well.
“Anna is a very special young lady. Many people with learning difficulties struggle in all sorts of ways, including getting a job. Anna’s Fab Fair Flowers aims to buck that trend.”
Mary has experienced a few challenges with running the business, one of which includes keeping the flowers protected from the elements at her stall on a Saturday. However, there have been some great achievements too – her Christmas wreaths proved to be hot sellers over the festive season.
Mary feels that her Fairtrade instincts are what makes her different from the competition.
“There are lots of lovely flowers for sale and many lovely people selling them too but sadly that’s not the whole story. Many of the flowers for sale come from overseas and there can be problems both in terms of working conditions and environmental issues, including air miles.
“Anna’s Fab Fair Flowers are local and organically grown. I try to ensure that every aspect of the business is ethical.”
Mary and Anna are focused on building their customer base to provide fresh cut flowers to the Waltham Forest community.
“We love being involved in an initiative that’s both fun and worthwhile; having scope to adapt it to meet my family’s needs,” says Mary. “If I was to give any advice to new entrepreneurs it would be to find a niche in the market where you can make a difference, work hard and follow your dreams! Sustainability and ethics need to be our future so make sure you’re on the right side.”

For more information about Anna’s Fab Fair Flowers:
Visit bit.ly/2oU94tS
Do you know a great small business in Waltham Forest with a story to tell?
Email [email protected]
Visit walthamforestbusiness.co.uk
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    Waltham Forest Business Network writing about great Waltham Forest Businesses in https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/

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  • Welcome!
    • What Our Members Say
  • About
  • What We Do
    • Women In Business >
      • Great Little Places to meet in E17
    • Business Directory
    • Creative Exchange >
      • Expression of Interest
    • Small Business 100
    • WF Small Business Competition >
      • 2014 Food Business Category Winner - Star of India Restaurant
      • 2014 Social Enterprise Category Winner - Significant Seams
      • Winner - 2013 Business Competition
      • 2014 Start Up Business Category Winner - Bestowed Kitchen
      • Winner - 2012 Small Business Competition
      • 2014 Retail Business Category Winner - It Does The Job
      • 2014 Creative Business Category Winner - Build
      • 2014 Professional Service Category Winner - Leyton Sports Massage
    • Networking, Events, Workshops >
      • Christmas Networking 2017
      • Christmas Networking 2015 >
        • Past Events >
          • 2014 Christmas Event
      • 'Network & Grow' summer 2014
      • 2012 Christmas Networking Event
      • 2012 Tea at the Town Hall
      • Workshops 2011
      • 2011 Summer Networking, House of Commons
      • Christmas Dinner at Eat17
      • Celebrating International Women's Day
      • 2011 E17 Art Trail
      • NEL Expo 2011
      • December 2010 Waterstones Christmas Networking
      • July 2010 Pimms O'Clock Summer Networking
      • April 2010 - Spring Speed Networking
      • February 2010 - Secrets to Success with NLCC
      • January 2010 - Facebook & Twitter -What's The Fuss?
      • Christmas 2009 - Christmas Networking at Waterstones
      • Summer 2009 - Networking, Health & Beauty
  • WFBN Blog
  • Waltham Forest Echo - Business Articles
  • Enterprise Nation
  • Privacy Policy
  • Enterprise Programme Support
    • Growth Vouchers - Cavendish Consortium
    • Fit For Legacy - East London Business Place
    • Waltham Forest Council - Small Business Saturday