AFTER 20 years as a landscape gardener, Gary Maclean was ready for a change – as was his back.
“As a landscaper I always loved flowers, and over the years I’d acquired quite a good base knowledge,” he says. “My back was giving me problems and I knew I had to do something else.
"I was the only man in my floristry class at college but that didn’t bother me at all – I grew up with two sisters and nine aunties.”
Indeed, Mr Maclean blossomed on his year-long course at Glasgow Clyde College, where he gained a City and Guilds level two qualification.
He spent two years working at a florist in Helensburgh, but in April this year he branched out on his own, opening Hyacinth House Flowers in Anniesland, Glasgow, the area he grew up in as a child.
The 43-year-old admits launching the business has been something of a whirlwind, not least because he and wife Mary Claire have an 18-month-old daughter, Morvern.
Mr Maclean did much of the shopfitting himself, and six months on the shop is thriving.
“I’d run my own gardening business before but setting up a shop is very different,” he explains. “Previously the space was a garden and gift centre, and we have decided to keep up the plant side of things. It’s been quite a steep learning curve, especially the seasonal nature of things.
“But we’re now seeing repeat business. Instagram and Facebook have definitely helped with the marketing, but old-fashioned word of mouth has been important too.”
Indeed, there’s already an expansion under way at the shop, which used to be a dairy and bakery.
“It’s important that every area of the premises works financially, so we’re looking to open a coffee shop, something there has been customer demand for since we opened,” Mr Maclean says.
“Having three strands – flowers, plants and the coffee shop – will hopefully give us the basis for a secure and growing business. We’re still finding our feet but it’s a really exciting time.”
The Glaswegian admits the commitment required to run a successful business can be daunting, and it can be tough to get the work/life balance right, especially with a toddler. Be he says the rewards of being your own boss are worth all the hard work.
“I really enjoy the creative aspect of the work,” he says. “I always loved designing gardens and in some ways floristry is a similar thing, on a smaller scale.
“I also get a lot of satisfaction from taking decisions and seeing them happen quickly, right down to the plant orders. It’s a great feeling when you order a new plant and see it fly right off the shelf.”
Mr Maclean is full of praise for the course at Glasgow Clyde College that set him on his path, and believes more men should consider a career in floristry.
“The course gave me so much confidence to take what I learned out into the workplace,” he says. “And the lecturers were just fantastic.
“I remember learning on our first day that Christmas was the busiest time of year for a florist – I’d always assumed it was Valentine’s Day.
“People still don’t expect men to be florists but I don’t know why that should be the case. I’d definitely encourage other men to give it a try.”
As for the advice he’d offer other budding entrepreneurs, Mr Maclean believes doing legwork is key.
“Do your homework before you set up a business,” he explains. “Make sure you know how much work is involved and find out everything you can about the reality of the workload.
“And make sure you do something you really enjoy, after all, you’re going to be spending lots of time doing it.
Launching a business is a lot of hard work but I think it’s worth it in the long run. When I look at Morvern it reminds me what it’s all about.
“It’s a very satisfying feeling opening up in the morning and knowing it’s your own place.”
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