“It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday”
I was recently nominated in the Muddy Stilettos awards to be Devon’s Best Florist.
Yes, it is exciting and flattering to have been nominated (I don’t know who started that for me but whoever you are - thank you)
I’m not normally a fan of this type of awards as they are based purely on a voting basis and therefore become more of a popularity contest than based on any actual business acumen.
But it did get me thinking. What would make me the “Best florist in Devon”
How do you define “the best”? Especially in relation to a florist?
Do I have the best qualifications? No I don’t. I don’t have a level five in British Floral Association qualifications. I don’t have a City and Guilds in floristry. I’m not sure I even got a girl guide badge for flower arranging. I do have a degree, a post grad diploma and grade five tap dancing - but none of which makes me the best florist.
Is my business the most flourishing? The best turnover or profit? Doubtful. I have a tiny shop (too small) I don’t have a team of staff. I don’t have any staff. It just little old me. And no offence to Bideford but it’s not the most thriving or affluent town in Devon.
Do I have ten of thousands of followers on social media? Would that make me “the best” It’s a tough business keeping on top of social media. There is a pressure to be posting the best photos, the best stories and now the best reels (don’t worry I don’t really get it either) and you can’t help but stare at your follower numbers willing them to increase. (Why? I honestly don’t know. Maybe because it will make me feel “better”)
Do people flock from all over the country to buy my flowers. Nope.
So how do we grade things “the best”. How often have you described products or businesses as “the best”. “It was the best chocolate brownie I’ve ever had”. I had the best nights sleep ever”. How do you know it’s the best chocolate brownie? You’ve not tried every chocolate brownie in the world? But at that moment in time that brownie tasted the best. You enjoyed it. It hit the mark.
But it is ultimately a matter of opinion. We don’t all like our chocolate brownies the same. (The degree of gooey is crucial) The surroundings in which you ate your chocolate brownie influence your statement. Your frame of mind. Your company.
Your opinion.
So I don’t know who originally nominated me for best florist in Devon. I don’t know who also then subsequently voted. But I do know that at that moment in time those people (2,3, 299 - I don’t know how many) but at that moment in time in their opinion I was the best florist in Devon. At that is truly humbling, amazing, gob smacking and honestly - slightly unbelievable.
I didn’t get enough votes to go through to the next stage. I know my social ineptness prevents me from the popularity contest part. But I will more than settle for the opinion of a few that I was fleetingly “the best”
Thank you.
(Congratulations to Amelia’s Flower Farm who was ultimately awarded Devon’s Best Florist. She is “the best”)
