A WHITCHURCH woman is celebrating after she started her own floristry business after deciding 'it was time for a change.'

Anna Chevins left her job in transport planning in 2021, having worked in the logistics industry for 15 years and used her savings to take florist courses before starting her business, Agden Flower Barn, which is based in Rose Barn, in 2021.

Anna spoke about making a 'bit of a made decision' and added many people used the lockdown to make decisions to change jobs.

She added: "It was a bit of a mad decision really.

"The lockdown made many people re-assess what they actually wanted to do.

"Transport was not something which I had planned to go into, but I fell into it.

"I enjoyed it to start with, but I thought it was just time for a change.

"I did a floristry course and I went from there."

The owner of Agden Flower Barn spoke about the challenges she has faced and praised the support she has received from her family.

Anna said: "It’s an incredibly challenging time to start a business and with the cost of living crisis, I feel the gamble on going it alone is as great as it’s ever been.

"I’m lucky to have the support of my family and that provides some comfort, but with rental costs and energy prices soaring, the possibility of having commercial premises in the town centre is almost non-existent, so I’ve invested in a workshop at home.

"My dad has helped convert an old farm shed, but I’ve been fortunate to have that option."

For Anna, there are some extremely busy periods, like Christmas and she is looking forward to opportunities in 2023 and had words of encouragement to other people who've recently set up small businesses.

She said: "In the first year, I’ve done a handful of weddings and funerals, plenty of bouquets, some Halloween projects and now we’re getting back into Christmas wreath season.

"Aside from the creations though, I’ve also been busy getting my workshop up and running, and I’ll soon be doing this year’s round of wreath-making classes.

"I already have some bookings in the diary for 2023, but I’m hoping to fill in some more gaps.

"I’d also like to send a message to anyone starting their own business that you’re not alone and there’s other people going through those same struggles in the early days, but everyone has to start somewhere.

"So keep going."