Success blossoms for enterprising Peterborough woman as she expands her floral retail business

Business is blooming for an enterprising Peterborough woman who has just opened an offshoot to her flowers and gift shop.

Eginta Ilgavyzyte (30) opened Flowers & Gifts Designs at number 268 Lincoln Road about 10 years ago.

Since then her retail business has blossomed and she decided the time was ripe for her to open a second shop.

So Eginta has just officially opened another Flowers and Gifts outlet – but this time at the other end of Lincoln Road – at number 955.

The business employs three people with the flowers and gifts products coming from around the world.

Eginta said: “I decided to open a second shop as I have found there are different types of customers at either end of Lincoln Road and I’m trying to attract more people.

“The new shop has been well received by customers

"I sell everything people need – flowers and gifts – for all sorts of occasions, such as weddings, parties and funerals. Valentine’s Day is soon and we are already very busy taking orders for this special occasion

She added: “Overall business is not bad.

"We could do better but I think all business owners are saying this.

"At the moment I’m working every day off the week – I’m working without a day off.

She added: “Every year we try our best to improve and update our knowledge and designs.

Eginta said that her passion for all things floral flourished during her early years living in Lithuania.

She said: “When I was 20-years-old, I completed my studies in floristry back in Lithuania, and I realised that I absolutely love flowers, creating bouquets and compositions.

"It became my passion, and I wanted to pursue this path.

"I was working with flowers in Lithuania for couple of months, when one day, my father invited me to come to the UK, and we decided that it was time to fulfil my dreams.

"So, for almost 10 years now, I have been in this line of work, both fulfilling my dreams and still learning.

"It wasn't easy, and it's not enough just to dream about it, it takes a lot of determination and hard work – I did work really hard to get where I am.

"Loving what I do made my workplace more like my second home than work.

"I stopped counting the hours or days I was working.

"Time just flies when I do what I love, and it feels like there's not enough hours in a day.”

She added: “I opened a second shop, feeling that I could offer more to my clients.

"I want to show my passion for the flowers and handmade gifts, share the joy of what I do, and what I love.

“With things I do, I want to bring happiness to people's lives and make those special moments a little bit more special.”