Enterprising students’ business blooms

Two students studying enterprise at Barking & Dagenham College have seen their business bloom over the festive season.

The returned to education in 2017 after being unemployed to study for a two year BTEC in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

Petals of Wonderland is owned and run by best friends, Georgina Bristow and Karla Speller. They are both trained and qualified in floristry and each have over 10 years’ experience working in flower shops.

They wanted to start a clothing business when they first started the course, as they wanted to work around constraints of home life by working for themselves, but throughout their studies there were many changes. Towards the end of their first year they returned to floristry as business idea, as made sense as they were both fully qualified.

Tim Bamforth-White Head of Business Industries at the College said: “They finally launched their business in November at the opening of The Alcove, a space for young entrepreneurs to meet, share ideas and develop their business free of charge, in the Business Enterprise Centre.

“They were delighted to be invited to showcase their work including their Christmas wreaths and decorations and had the opportunity to meet with the Mayor.”

Georgina and Karla’s business did really well over the festive period, selling over 30 of their wreaths and Christmas bouquets and decorations.