Four students were preparing for their trip to Italy. Everything was ready for departure when one of them thought of their many plants. Who would water them during their absence? "It is at this point that the idea of starting a business was born," recalls the student in Fine Arts 30 years, co-founder of small business. It is from an idea "a joke", that these four students created a business of providing services: Caring for plants when the owners are on vacation. Since then, not only friends of plants and garden lovers this holiday service reserve, but also pet owners.
This is a company whose employees are watering the flowers and plants when their owners bask in the sun. This idea is a fun part of a summer evening and spawned a lucrative business that has a future. Before starting their business in April, the four creators Felix 27-year philosophy student, Siva 26, Lina 30 years and Evelyne 27 years, students in biology, have laminated yellow pages directory of the city. Then they searched the Internet to see if such a company existed.
"We ate quickly realized that to date no one had proposed such services. In addition to our studies, we set to work to put our idea into practice, "says Lina. Thanks to her and Evelyne, the team has the know-how. "We have knowledge of many plants and are able to advise our clients regarding the care of plants. We even know how to revive the plant problems, "say the founders.
This is a company whose employees are watering the flowers and plants when their owners bask in the sun. This idea is a fun part of a summer evening and spawned a lucrative business that has a future. Before starting their business in April, the four creators Felix 27-year philosophy student, Siva 26, Lina 30 years and Evelyne 27 years, students in biology, have laminated yellow pages directory of the city. Then they searched the Internet to see if such a company existed.
"We ate quickly realized that to date no one had proposed such services. In addition to our studies, we set to work to put our idea into practice, "says Lina. Thanks to her and Evelyne, the team has the know-how. "We have knowledge of many plants and are able to advise our clients regarding the care of plants. We even know how to revive the plant problems, "say the founders.
How to find the first customers?
To draw attention to their new service, young entrepreneurs invested a few hundred euros in flyers and posters they stuck the night. He also had a car. "In the fashionable district of the city, we distributed 300 flyers (A5 size) that cost us 30 euros. The text: "We treat your houseplants and garden plants during your vacation" This attracted many world. We chose this chic here because rich people live in beautiful villas, they love plants and often go on a trip, "said Lina. The success of the operation stunned the advertising plant-sitters. "Ten customers appealed to us on the spot. We had set fire to the powder. "
An idea of creation without seed money:
Through word of mouth and a report in the local press, the plant-sitters could increase the number of their client in a short time. "What was good for us was that we needed some seed capital. Only one car was essential to be mobile and flexible, "says Felix. Young entrepreneurs offered another service: they declared themselves ready to take care also of pets during the holidays of their owners. In order to overcome the requests, each of the four young entrepreneurs takes on a very specific task: Lina takes care of advertising, Felix is responsible for creating the website, Siva and Evelyne will among customers. "So far, none of the treated plants had a puncture. We give our customers any warranty for the plants that we are given. Something unexpected can always happen. Our customers are also very understanding, "says a partner friends. In the file of plant-sitters are fifty customers between 27 and 72 years.
Service enjoyed by retirees,
Married couples and single people, Behold how does one request: the client calls and says how long it needs a plant-sitter. "We set an appointment immediately. The day before, it's the keys. We also agree the day when we are making, "says Felix. On average, customers entrust their keys to a period of 4 days. At the end of the mission, they pay between 50 and 60 euros for three days as an example plus a lump sum for the keys. For six months, a secretary 56 years, is a client in plant-sitters and used their service once every two months. "These guys do it very well. I travel a lot, I visit my son in the south where I make my cure. Before, I had to ask my neighbor to look after my plants and my cats.
