From the School Bell, to a Business Call | Interview Featuring Highlander Isabel Lam

Have you ever wanted to create your own business? Do you believe making ribbon flowers is easy? Do you think balancing schoolwork with orders is simple? Meet Isabel, and her business she runs with her friend. During this interview, you will be able to see just how rewarding running your own business can be. So, follow along for an insight on how Isabel manages her responsibilities while running i.floraln.

Isabel’s Background

Q: Tell me about your background.
“I was born and was raised in Worcester. I am Vietnamese, American, and Cambodian. My birthday is June 21. I speak only English.” – Isabel Lam.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies?
“In my free time I like to draw or play the piano. I find these things calming and peaceful.” – Isabel Lam.
Q: What are your plans after you graduate?
“I am thinking about being a hairstylist or opening my own bakery or florist shop.” – Isabel Lam. 
Q: What were some challenges you had to overcome during High School?
“Some challenges I had to over was meeting new people and new classes.” – Isabel Lam.

i.floraln

 

 

Q: Tell me a bit about your business.
“The name of my business is called i.floraln. It is a floral business. I work with my friend who goes to school in South High School. We make eternal flowers which are handmade flowers made out of ribbons. We also put together real roses into a bouquet if you want real flowers. You can make your own custom bouquet and any accessories or add-ons you want. All the information of what to order is on our Instagram page @i.floraln so if you or someone is interested in buying them, you can DM that account. We started around November last year.” – Isabel Lam.
Q: How did you come up with your business? What inspired you?
“My business partner and I have been thinking about ways to make money on the side while we were in school. She would show me TikToks or other florists who make these types of flowers. We bought the materials and practiced and once we made it, someone bought it.” – Isabel Lam.
Q: Describe a moment where you felt discouraged.
“A moment I felt discourage was wrapping and assembling my second bouquet I ever made. The roses wouldn’t be even and the wrapping alone was a nightmare. I never gave up on a bouquet. Instead I keep going. The more I continue, the better the bouquet looks.” – Isabel Lam.
 

 

Q: How do you handle criticism and feedback from customers? What steps do you take to improve your business?
“We never got criticized yet. A step I would take is to look at other florists’ work and compare them to our bouquets and wondering how we can improve.” – Isabel Lam.
Q: What new projects are you excited to work on and sell? What’s something you never expected to learn while running your business?
“A new project I am excited about is the new bouquet styles we are working on at the moment. Something I never expected to learn from running this business was how much money I can make if I keep promoting.” – Isabel Lam.
 

 

Q: What sort of experiences have helped you as a business owner? How do you see your business in 5 years?
“An experience that helped me was doing my first order. I will never forget the process of making the flowers. The struggles we had while learning for the first time was of course difficult. But the look of the customer’s face is always worth it. I don’t think my friend and I will still be making flowers in 5 years because it was just a small fun hobby we could both do.” – Isabel Lam. 
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being a business owner? How do you manage to keep a balance between schoolwork and completing orders?
“The most rewarding part of being a business owner is of course the money but also the end results of our hard work. It still surprises me till this day that I can actually make something like that. School work always comes first. Once it’s done I can finish or start a new order.” – Isabel Lam.
Q: What’s a quote you would like to share?
“Giving up is a choice.”
 

 

Contact i.floraln

i.floraln Official Business Instagram: @i.floraln
Isabel’s Personal Instagram: @1sabel_lam
Isabel’s Business Partner’s Personal Instagram: @nquko

 

After hearing Isabel’s point of view, do you feel inspired to start your own business? What part of Isabel’s journey with her business do you respect the most? What’s something you can pull from Isabel’s experience as a business owner that you can use in your own life? Thank you for following along and do not forget to click the comment button on the right-hand side to share your opinions and critiques on this matter! Tune in for more promotional articles.