When Heaven Blooms Rio Ramos - Mazo “Where flower blooms, so does hope…” - Lady Bird Johnson In 2014, one of the most trying times happened to our family. We lost our youngest daughter, Iris Kristinne. My world was shattered. I felt that the heaven’s door shut at me. It’s as if my sense of life suddenly withered. Just as I was about to lose hope, the good Lord opened a window of opportunity for me that will help me immortalize my daughter’s name. That was when He gave us Iris Bloom Flower Shop. When the seed of hope sprouted “God’s flowers are blooming everywhere today. Their beautiful colors chase all cares away. He knows we need flowers to help us cope And where flowers bloom so does hope.” Almost a year after I lost Iris Kristinne, one of my husband’s relatives offered to us the ownership of then Vanz Catering and Flower Shop. The shop has been in the flower business for 27 years, serving Dasmarinas and nearby towns in Cavite. It was indeed a leap of faith because we didn’t have any idea about flower arrangement, much more so running our own flower shop. Despite this, we accepted the offer and took over the business. I just relied on my background as a business administration graduate. I was also hoping that the shop will “It’s like a seed sprouting, a consolation for a mother whose heart is yearning for her lost child.” help me heal from losing my daughter. When we were registering the business with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the first three business names we initially submitted were rejected. A DTI staff suggested to have the shop named after my daughter and so, Iris Bloom was born. It is a way for me to perpetuate her memory. It’s like a seed sprouting, a consolation for a mother whose heart is yearning for her lost child. When Iris started to bloom “He knows our lives are full of challenges. Always changing from day to day. His beautiful flowers are a message To trust and let Him lead the way.” As I took over the business, I realized that despite operating for three decades, the shop was still way behind in the flower industry. While it was able to maintain its loyal customers, I felt that it needed to cope with the current trends and demands. I knew I had to address this. One of our challenges is to expand our market in one of the most sought-after wedding destinations, Metro Tagaytay. More than the fame, the climate and the overall scenery and ambiance of the place make it really ideal for a girl’s dream wedding. I reviewed our existing designs and compared it with the demands of the market. Then, I had to come up with new product offerings and services, as well as review our pricing. We went beyond the goal of simply earning profit. We made sure to offer affordable yet quality floral services to all. We started offering