Flowers are Mugibelo’s treasure trove

 

Khumo Mugibelo has been a gardener for most of her life. For as long as she can remember, she has been growing roses and an array of flowers and plants. The self-taught gardener is now sharing her love for gardening with a growing clientele who are looking for unique flower concepts. 

Made by Khumo Mugibelo specialises in vase arrangements as well as personal shopping for those who require this special service. Since she started sharing her designs with her followers on social media, many have been wowed by her beautiful arrangements. Her passion and love for flowers evidently comes through the different arrangements. 

And bringing unique and beautiful flower designs to life has served as therapy for her. It all started when she was sitting at home and pondering what to do to bring money into the house. A qualified graduate with years of experience, who at the time was unemployed, says that she decided to tap into her knowledge and love for flowers in order to survive. 

Her background in Marketing and Public Relations, has not gone to waste, and has come very handy. 

To polish on her skills, she undertook a flower arrangement short course for a week, and soon she was busy taking her first orders, and impressing her growing clientele. 

“I had to find my niche in the market, and mine is vase arrangements but I also do other arrangements,” she explains noting that she orders her flowers from South Africa weekly. What sets her business apart from others in the same industry is that she uses unique flowers which are not commonly used. 

“Most of the clients are ordering for birthdays, anniversary and occasionally, big orders for weddings,” says Mugibelo. 

When it comes to orders, she starts off by sitting down with client, and finding out what they want, as well as the occasion, and other details that will come handy when she creates an arrangement for them. Besides taking local orders, she also takes orders from outside the country from clients who wish to spoil their loved ones. This in some instances is accompanied by a bit of personal shopping. 

“I have clients who are outside the country and sometimes they want to spoil their loved ones, and want the flowers to be accompanied by other surprises hence the need for personal shopping,” she says adding that the look on the clients faces when they receive the package is always priceless. “It is so amazing getting to know clients and hear their stories,” she says. 

Price is determined by what the client wants. But the prices range from P350-P550, and in some instances she can organise something that can suit the pocket of a client. Deliveries within Gaborone are free, and she charges P50 for deliveries in the Greater Gaborone, and in areas that include Metsimotlhabe, Mochudi Moshupa and Molepolole. Orders must be made 24 hours in advance. 

A challenge that comes with the business, she says is that flowers are a risky business. Some days, she finds herself throwing away flowers because there are no orders, or in other instances, she deals with power cuts. “Other challenges include the fact that you are competing with established companies who have been in business for years and you have to work extra hard,” she says. 

Another challenge is that some people are yet to understand that one can just buy flowers for their home as compared to only buying them for special occasions. “I have families that have weekly orders, and they have a special rate,” she notes. 

 Her big dream is to expand and have a garden with a florist shop, and a coffee shop, where customers can shop and enjoy their coffee. MadebyKhumomugibelo is on Facebook.