Who doesn’t like receiving flowers? They cheer us, they brighten our days, they remind us fondly of the people who are giving them as gifts to us. For entrepreneur Tumi Moitse, her love of flowers started at an early age. Today she is taking that passion and creating a luxury floral design and gifting business, BlakSaffron Boutique, that helps her clients to express their feelings through the floral experiences she creates.
LoA met up with the passionate Tumi Moitse this month to find out more about this fabulous new floral design brand.
What does your company do?
BlakSaffron Boutique is an online flower and gifting boutique store specialising in luxury gifting experiences. We offer modern fresh and long lasting flower gift boxes. Every single Flower and Gift Box has been patiently created with design etiquette and love. We wanted to created an effortless experience for clients looking for a statement gifting experience.
BlackSaffron Boutique’s name comes from one of the world’s most expensive and treasured spices - ‘Saffron" . The process of producing Saffron from the crocus flower is delicate, precise and requires great attention to detail. And that's how I had a vision for my business when creating modern well packaged gifting products for the brand.
"BlackSaffron Boutique’s name comes from one of the world’s most expensive and treasured spices - Saffron."
What inspired you to start your company?
My journey with flowers started when I was 10 years old. My Aunt owned a florist and I would assist her during weekends and school holidays. Her passion and the love she has for flower designs was contagious. She always said: "A house is not complete without flowers" and to this day my house always has fresh flower arrangements in it.
We live in an era where everything is celebrated. So, what a better way to give a modern, well packaged and thoughtful gift to say: " I Love You, Thank You, I Appreciate You". I was born on New Year’s Day, a day full of celebration. So it’s perhaps ironic that today I am in a business where I celebrate with my customers every day.
I always say: "I tell stories through flowers". As a previous Marketing Manager, I have always had an eye for beautiful creative concepts, so it was easier to share my creativity through flowers. I always have a priceless experience when receiving flowers as a gift and I wanted to continue extending that warm and fuzzy feeling to my clients.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We offer bespoke and attention-to-detail gifting experiences. We don’t offer just flower gifts - our gifts tell stories. Our product range at BlakSaffron Boutique includes Luxury Flower Gift Boxes and personalized gifts. My clients are curious clients who love beautiful pieces and don't compromise on quality. With our effortless ordering and delivery services, we have returning clients who select us as their one stop gift supplier for their wedding, birthday and special occasion celebrations. We currently supply our corporate clients with weekly flower deliveries and corporate gifts for special events.
I also believe customers buy into the owner first before buying the products, and a personal meeting with my staff or me will make you will feel the warmth of our brand through our services and products.
"I was born on New Year’s Day, a day full of celebration. So it’s perhaps ironic that today I am in a business where I celebrate with my customers every day."
Tell us a little about your team
I am the owner and creative director for all flower concepts and floral designs at Blak Saffron Boutique. I currently have two ladies who assist me with flower arrangements. I also have additional casual assistance to help out with big assignments.
It was critical to build a team that is able to translate my vision into reality, and that also has a passion for flowers and effortless customer service. Ultimately, flower arrangement requires patience and passion and my team reflects both of these traits.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I have more than 10 years managerial experience which includes a few marketing positions in the corporate world. This is where my attention to detail was crafted and my corporate experience assisted me with coming up with strategies for my brands and planning future brand extension. Branding and marketing plays an important part in my life and I wanted to translate that vision through my Brand. I knew earlier on that I would pursue and start my own company. My Aunt who has been entrepreneur her whole life supported me and encouraged me to follow my passion. Her old school entrepreneurship methodology got me to where I am today.
I started my own events company (Tumiblue Events) two years ago. This has been an interesting journey through trial and errors. This experience assisted me with running a business with limited resources and helped me to appreciate the importance of owning the full product life cycle. I then needed a stand-alone brand that would fully focus on luxury floral designs and gifting products, hence the creation of BlakSaffron Boutique. I had to learn the etiquette and practical aesthetic elements of flower design before attempting to start the boutique store.
My journey with Lionesses of Africa has assisted me with building the confidence to pursue BlakSaffron Boutique as a successful brand extension. The experience and the learnings from the Lionesses of Africa incubation programme has been life changing. I will always be grateful for the lessons and entrepreneurship grooming received. I am now a full-time entrepreneur after taking the leap of faith. It has been a rewarding experience to see a brand that started from just a concept, now coming to life.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I am excited to announce the official launch of BlakSaffron Boutique in September 2017. I can’t wait for my customers to experience the gift of sharing and celebrating their loved ones. My future plan is to have a customer facing store where my clients can experience the art of BlakSaffron in person.
"We don’t offer just flower gifts - our gifts tell stories."
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Doing what I love everyday and to receive heart warming feedback from my clients. Being a female entrepreneur is not easy but with the right attitude and hard work everything is possible.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Have a clear vision about what solutions your brand has to achieve and be clear of your target market. Learn the industry that you would like to tap into carefully, backed up with detailed market research. Align yourself with female orientated incubation programmes to build your confidence.
My Mentor always says: "Think Big. Big is Always Achievable”.
Contact or follow BlakSaffron Boutique
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL info@tumiblue.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
It is always wonderful to see a brand vision come to life, and in the case of Tumi Moitse’s beautiful BlakSaffron Boutique, this luxury floral design and gifting brand is exploding into life in the most beautiful way. Her business is tapping into a market niche, and filling it with a unique customer experience that lasts long after the flower designs she so lovingly creates with her team. This is a brand destined for great things. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa