Buffalo Grove’s Candy Bouquet offers alternative to flowers
An interview with Carla Solar, owner of Candy Bouquet in Buffalo Grove.
Q: Describe your business. What do you do?
A: Candy Bouquet is a delicious alternative to flowers. The purpose of my business is to create floral like arrangements with hard candy and chocolate. I can provide centerpieces for bar/bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, engagement parties, bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, new baby, Christmas and Hanukkah. My bouquets make perfect gifts for congratulatory/good luck themes as well as thank you gifts for family and business clients and referrals and most importantly of all, I like to say that the best reason to send a candy bouquet is for no reason, or just because. I deliver and ship to make gift buying convenient for my clients.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: I started my business because I feel there is a need or a desire to send a gift and with our time being so valuable, I know that sending a candy bouquet is something unique that is never expected. I like to save people the guess work of what to buy, as most of us like candy and what I have lasts a long time.
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in running or starting a small business?
A: The only obstacle I see is that by being home based, marketing can be a challenge so I do need to allow time to be out at networking events to show my work and advertise my services.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: What I enjoy most about my business is to see the reactions of the people when the receive a bouquet at deliveries. They are so happy to receive something special from their loved one or client.
Q: Is this what you pictured yourself doing when you were young?
A: When I was younger, I never imagined I would be this creative. My mother studied art and she painted as a hobby so it was she who gave me great insights as to which colors blend best together.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: I never let anything keep me up all night, except if I have to finish an order.
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: If I could give one tip to a rookie business owner, my best advice is-always put your customer first.
-Kim Mikus
Ÿ Every Monday we feature a small, suburban business. We want to hear about yours. Contact Kim Mikus at kmikus@dailyherald.com.
Candy Bouquet
Address: P.O. Box 7804, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Owner: Carla Solar
Web address: 3765.shopcandybouquet.com
Business started: 2005