{"id":17560,"date":"2026-02-13T15:01:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T13:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uusyrityskeskus.fi\/?p=17560"},"modified":"2026-02-13T15:01:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T13:01:13","slug":"a-dream-that-grew-from-flowers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uusyrityskeskus.fi\/en\/entrepreneur-stories\/a-dream-that-grew-from-flowers\/","title":{"rendered":"A dream that grew from flowers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At Lily on the Green, flowers not only bloom but also tell a story. Their story is a combination of craftsmanship, art and bold entrepreneurial spirit.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\u00a0Anni\u00a0Koponen<\/strong>\u00a0first opened the doors of her florist shop Lily on the Green in\u00a0Varkaus\u00a0in September 2022, she knew immediately that she was on the right path.\u00a0Anni’s\u00a0love for flowers had been there since her childhood from the flowers she picked on the side of the road to felted and knitted works of art. Eventually, this passion led\u00a0Anni\u00a0to study the scientific names of cut flowers and flower arranging, and she graduated as a florist in 2020.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even as a student, Anni knew that she would become an entrepreneur. Her enterpise idea came from the desire to combine floristry, art and craftsmanship.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to pursue my own vision and bring something unique to the flower market with a personal touch\u201d, Anni explains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florist shop Lily is not just a shop but an experience. In her shop, Anni sells seasonal cut flowers, houseplants and home decorations. She also offers flower arranging workshops where customers can experiment with flower arranging and let their creativity flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strong foundation for entrepreneurship <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anni didn\u2019t star her journey as an entrepreneur from zero. Her vocational qualification and bachelor\u2019s degree in applied arts gave her a solid foundation she could use as springboard to build her career as a florist and florist shop owner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anni\u00a0had already heard about\u00a0W\u00e4l\u00e4kky\u00a0Keski-Savon\u00a0Uusyrityskeskus\u00a0from her friends, so she could rely on Business Advisor\u00a0Sanna\u00a0Hietalahti-Husu<\/strong>\u00a0from the very beginning.\u00a0Sanna\u00a0helped\u00a0Anni\u00a0a great deal with the calculations for\u00a0Anni\u2019s\u00a0business plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnni has her own unique style and a strong vision of what she wants. When we did the calculations, we looked at the elements consisting of all the different income sources. The company makes money through the sales of flowers and flower arranging workshops\u201d, Sanna explains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working with a passion <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finding the right premises was not easy. Anni had to look for suitable premises for six months due to the unique requirements a florist shop has for water faucets. Eventually, she found premises that have turned out to be exactly what she needed. The shop’s beautiful display windows bring joy to the lives of people of Varkaus and liven up the city centre. Moreover, Anni has been awarded for her efforts and recognised for creating something meaningful in her hometown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Anni, the biggest challenge she has faced as an entrepreneur is stepping away from work; there is so much to do that she could easily work 24\/7. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you do something that you are passionate about, it can be difficult to draw boundaries. Luckily, I now have one part-time employee and an apprentice, so I can actually take some time off every now and then\u201d, Anni says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No two days in the shop are the same for Anni. The week starts with ordering flowers, while the rest of the week is spent on making bouquets for the weekend and serving the customers, as the majority of customers visit the shop towards the end of the week. Marketing communication is also an essential part of Anni\u2019s everyday work, and each customer interaction is an opportunity to learn something new. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reach for the stars <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With Lily on the Green, Anni has found success in a challenging sector. She has found her own style that makes her stand out from the competitors. The best thing about running a business is that it allows you to express yourself and use your skills in the company\u2019s operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anni has a simple message to anyone considering starting a business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBelieve in your dreams and reach for the stars. Challenges are a part of the journey, as are moments of joy. Sometimes they are brought about by flowers. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"At Lily on the Green, flowers not only bloom but also tell a story. 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