Edible Blooms was launched by sisters, Kelly Jamieson and Abbey Baker, in 2005, and is now one of Australia’s largest networks of gift delivery stores.
The company utilises the cloud-based business system, which allows the sister duo to be on the go and work in different locations while also maintaining a strong online presence.
Kelly Jamieson explained that the sisters made sure to have a transactional website from day one.
“Looking at the financials for the business and the cost of rent in capital cities, it made sense to locate our premises near our suppliers and focus our marketing online,” she said.
Digital marketing and social media play an important role in Edible Blooms’ marketing strategy. The company turns to Google AdWords, email marketing, Facebook and Twitter to engage customers.
Ms Jamieson clarified that social media does not have to be time consuming.
“Trust me, I understand the time and financial constraints business owners are under. But with the technological resources now available, it’s possible to get a fantastic return on investment from modest inputs,” she said.
“Over the last five years, Edible Blooms has been averaging double-digit growth with social media marketing playing a big part in that.”
One in seven small businesses recognise power of innovation
Only one in seven small businesses see innovation as important, the Institute of Public Accountants revealed recently in its Australian Small Business White Paper, published in partnership with the IPA-Deakin SME Research Centre.
That statistic alone illustrates that more needs to be done to create and promote incentives for small businesses to improve their prospects of future success.
The IPA pointed out that government agencies have extensive small business education programs designed to assist small businesses working within the innovation space.
It, however, recognised that businesses in Australia experience a wide range of barriers to innovation, suggesting that policy to support innovation needs to be flexible and broad-based.