#WeAreSouthQueens - Shanta Sookram

Presenting Shanta Sookram of Diya Flowers by Shanta Shanta Flowers! Read about Shanta, her migration story, her career trajectory as a single mother, and the lessons she'd love to share with young women entrepreneurs.

This #WomensHistory Month South Queens Women's March is partnering with our friends at Queens Economic Development Corporation It's In Richmond Hill to feature women business owners in Richmond Hill and surrounding areas! Please like, share and engage with this post to uplift Shanta's journey!

This series is the start of #WeAreSouthQueens, a larger project we are undergoing at SQWM to chronicle the stories and journeys of individuals who make our South Queens community what it is. Stay tuned!

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Where are you from and what inspired you to start this business?

“I am from Guyana. I came to the u.s. in 2002. During my first two years here, I moved from job to job. I used to teach home economics Back in Guyana, so I decided to work in dry cleaning for a while because I was a professional seamstress. Someone I knew from Guyana asked me to work at a flower shop they had recently Bought. I was so happy to be working in a flower shop. I worked there for five years until the business was sold. The new owners offered me part-time work, and then I took another job in Long Island as a florist. sometimes I would work 24 hours a day.”

“…I was managing the store and doing everything, even on my days off I would get called to do something. Everyone encouraged me to open my own business, but I didn’t have the courage Or self-esteem to go out and do it. Eventually, I told my boss I didn’t want to manage the store anymore and he fired me. That was the push I needed to start my own business. I opened my store in 2010. For the first four years in business, I didn’t have much money, so i had to start putting aside a little at a time. I didn’t Spend any. I’m a single mother. I didn’t have a back up so I really had to stretch my money. At the end of the year I didn’t make a profit but I was thankful I didn’t have any Debt. It’s been twelve years and I’m happy.”

What is a typical day like for you?

“A typical day is usually a busy day. I have a part-time helper. I do 80% of the work myself. When it’s busy, I don't walk and work. I run and work! Sometimes I won't have my Morning coffee until the afternoon. I like to finish my work one hour before the scheduled time. Doing flowers for funerals and weddings - those are my busiest times and I cannot afford to be a minute late. On really busy days I call my sister for assistance. My Daughter comes from Florida during valentines and mothers day to help too - some of the busiest days of the year.”

What are some challenges you face as a Women owned business?

“Being a woman business owner can be scary. I got mugged a few times. Sometimes guys come in the shop and they’re so scary or hIgh on drugs. There were a few times I had to call the police. I used to get emotional About this when I was younger but now I simply Pray. My main prayer is that no one hurts us."

What are your goals for the future?

“I am tired. But a good type of tired! Currently, I only have a part-time assistant here. Hopefully, There’s someone out there who is hungry for knowledge in the florist business who is willing to Work hard so that I can teach the skills I have learned over the years.”

What advice would you give to young women entrepreneurs?

“Find the spark and prepare to go towards that goal. You will have to work hard, and ignore the negatives people have to say. Don’t let anyone hold you back, if you find something you love and you go for it, you won’t Have to work a day in your life.”

“When you start your business, you might not have a penny. There are times when you will have to put your money to good use. Then, you're going to do well. Like my mom used to say, 'know what you're doing with that money.' she would say, 'when you see business is going good, don't spend your money.' I learned from my mom to really stretch my money. my mom would have $100 and spend it like she had $1000 and she would still manage to say some money on the side.”Presenting Shanta Sookram of Diya Flowers by Shanta Shanta Flowers! Read about Shanta, her migration story, her career trajectory as a single mother, and the lessons she'd love to share with young women entrepreneurs.

This #WomensHistory Month South Queens Women's March is partnering with our friends at Queens Economic Development Corporation It's In Richmond Hill to feature women business owners in Richmond Hill and surrounding areas! Please like, share and engage with this post to uplift Shanta's journey!

This series is the start of #WeAreSouthQueens, a larger project we are undergoing at SQWM to chronicle the stories and journeys of individuals who make our South Queens community what it is. Stay tuned!

---

Where are you from and what inspired you to start this business?

“I am from Guyana. I came to the u.s. in 2002. During my first two years here, I moved from job to job. I used to teach home economics Back in Guyana, so I decided to work in dry cleaning for a while because I was a professional seamstress. Someone I knew from Guyana asked me to work at a flower shop they had recently Bought. I was so happy to be working in a flower shop. I worked there for five years until the business was sold. The new owners offered me part-time work, and then I took another job in Long Island as a florist. sometimes I would work 24 hours a day.”

“…I was managing the store and doing everything, even on my days off I would get called to do something. Everyone encouraged me to open my own business, but I didn’t have the courage Or self-esteem to go out and do it. Eventually, I told my boss I didn’t want to manage the store anymore and he fired me. That was the push I needed to start my own business. I opened my store in 2010. For the first four years in business, I didn’t have much money, so i had to start putting aside a little at a time. I didn’t Spend any. I’m a single mother. I didn’t have a back up so I really had to stretch my money. At the end of the year I didn’t make a profit but I was thankful I didn’t have any Debt. It’s been twelve years and I’m happy.”

What is a typical day like for you?

“A typical day is usually a busy day. I have a part-time helper. I do 80% of the work myself. When it’s busy, I don't walk and work. I run and work! Sometimes I won't have my Morning coffee until the afternoon. I like to finish my work one hour before the scheduled time. Doing flowers for funerals and weddings - those are my busiest times and I cannot afford to be a minute late. On really busy days I call my sister for assistance. My Daughter comes from Florida during valentines and mothers day to help too - some of the busiest days of the year.”

What are some challenges you face as a Women owned business?

“Being a woman business owner can be scary. I got mugged a few times. Sometimes guys come in the shop and they’re so scary or hIgh on drugs. There were a few times I had to call the police. I used to get emotional About this when I was younger but now I simply Pray. My main prayer is that no one hurts us."

What are your goals for the future?

“I am tired. But a good type of tired! Currently, I only have a part-time assistant here. Hopefully, There’s someone out there who is hungry for knowledge in the florist business who is willing to Work hard so that I can teach the skills I have learned over the years.”

What advice would you give to young women entrepreneurs?

“Find the spark and prepare to go towards that goal. You will have to work hard, and ignore the negatives people have to say. Don’t let anyone hold you back, if you find something you love and you go for it, you won’t Have to work a day in your life.”

“When you start your business, you might not have a penny. There are times when you will have to put your money to good use. Then, you're going to do well. Like my mom used to say, 'know what you're doing with that money.' she would say, 'when you see business is going good, don't spend your money.' I learned from my mom to really stretch my money. my mom would have $100 and spend it like she had $1000 and she would still manage to say some money on the side.”