2014 Wrap Up

I have posted something similar to this on my facebook page, but i wanted to go into a little more detail here.

It’s been an incredible with Nic’s Button Buds – things just keep getting better and I can’t wait for what’s next around the corner! There has been up’s and downs, but we have to take on board what life throws at us.  I just feel like i am surrounded by an awesome family, supportive friends and incredible customers.  Without you guys, being able to do something i truly enjoy wouldn’t be possible.  However the biggest support to me is my husband Chris.

Chris supports my business (well mostly lol) he doesnt grumble too much when i sit up to 3am in the morning working, leave supplies all over the house and have buttons stored in just about every nook and cranny of the house.  He goes to the post office when i have run out of time and even helps with photos at times.  There is absolutely no way i would of stayed sane without him!

This year aside from makings bouquets for some simply awesome people I got some really awesome opportunities that I am not sure will be topped in the future!

I stopped working full time as well as running this business, this was a huge step, but here I am at Christmas and we can still pay our bills

I won several awards: The Wedding Expert Awards in April, I was ranked No! in Victoria, 2 in Australia and 4th in the world for Floral Design!

I won the special services category in the ABIA awards with a score of 99.68% – This is the most special award as it was based soley on brides ratings

In June I won the BOMA award for service excellence.

In July Iris sadly stopped helping out with stems as she has her own business to focus on.  Iris has been in incredible help for the 18 months prior to this and continues to support me as a friend. I hope to be able to help Iris grow her business sin 2014.

BUT Christen joined the team 1 day a week and has been an incredible help.  I have known Christen for around 10 or 11 years now and we actually met through a car club. We regularly sit here working on bouquets and talking about cars!  lol weird combo.  Joyanne also joined NBB and does handsewing of the handles for me.  Joyanne is one of my brides “Kyah’s” mum.  Without these guys I would not get orders out the door.

I was published in Cosmo Bride Australia TWICE and also White Magazine. Recently my work also featured in Your Local Wedding Guide Melbourne.

On a low note my mother in law whom we love dearly was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, her illness has had a huge impact on us, even more so when we found out it was terminal. However we are forever grateful that she still with us at the moment and look forward to enjoying the time we have left with her. To the customers who have been so patient as we work around helping her, spending time with her etc – we thank-you.

Some others that also deserve a special mention this year are my Best friends Kerrie & Nathan, Kerrie’s boyfriend Andy, my little sister Amee and my mum Marlene. My hubby Chris of course is a big support, Joyanne, Christen, Iris and James. There is likely more, but these guys are the ones that have really stepped up when the going has gotten tough.

In 2014 we hope to have the chance to move house to a place a little better set up to run a business (and perhaps one where there will be a button free zone)  I plan to launch some new bouquet styles, do a few mini photoshoots, launch the fun buttonhole range i have had on the backburner for nearly 2 years (eek) and generally try to jump through any door that opens in front of me!  In there i hope to finish my Cert IV in Customer Service, and then resume my Diploma of Business………  lets see if that actually happens lol.

I also have BIG plans for my website in the new year, stay tuned as this develops as it will make both my clients and my life much easier!  YAY!

Myself, Chris and our furry family (Velcro, Fudge, Crumbles & Abby) would like to thank everyone who has helped in anyway this year, especially the customers, friends & family who continue to show their support of Nic’s Button Buds.

Wishing you all a safe Christmas and a fabulous 2014
Nic xx