Hansen's Florist & Gifts - Coeur d'Alene

Danielle Hansen prepared herself thoroughly before opening her floral shop. Not only did she spend 20 years in the floral business gaining the experience necessary to understand the business, she also researched everything from the best traffic flow near potential store locations to what competing floral shops offered. But Hansen said she worried that her preparations still weren’t enough.  "The floral business has one of the highest percentages of failure in small business statistics," Hansen said. "So obviously I had many concerns."

With the Idaho SBDC’s help, Hansen created a comprehensive business plan, progressing through each stage of the business’ planning and opening, and was able to obtain a $40,000 federal Small Business Administration loan to help with startup.

Hansen’s Florist and Gifts opened in 2006, offering same-day local and national delivery service and an extensive variety of fresh flowers and unique floral designs. The business also offers baskets, balloons, candy bouquets, boxed chocolates, plants, gifts and home décor.

In its first year, Hansen’s Florist grossed $190,000 in sales, a successful startup by most standards. But even after her business’ opening, Hansen said the Idaho SBDC continued to help her through the challenges of operating her new business and maintaining its success.

"Every time I meet with my coach Frank Bendinelli, we focus on a new way that I can improve my business," Hansen said. "Once I have mastered that, we move on to a new area of improvement."  Hansen credits the NIC Idaho SBDC for contributing to a 58 percent increase in sales over the past five months. In fact, business is so good that Hansen is hoping to add several employees and possibly move to a newer facility in coming years, and she said she is confident that the Idaho SBDC will help with that transition.

"The Idaho SBDC has been there for me through all the stages of my business," Hansen said. They have been my sounding board, my cheerleaders, the little push that I need to keep building my business and a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from. Without them, I would not be achieving the success I have so far."