Xiluva Chauke (28) started out studying BSc Biomedicine at Pearson Institute but later pursued entrepreneurial management at the University of Johannesburg’s business school. “In August 2020, I took a leap of faith and started my own florist business, Xiluva’s Petals,” Chauke says. Her passion for flowers originated during her university days after receiving bouquets from friends and loved ones. “Waking up to fresh-cut flowers brought me immense joy.
As a florist, I take pride in arranging flowers for any occasion, from birthdays, funerals, gifting, or special events like weddings and parties. I ensure that every arrangement is created with the utmost care and attention to detail,” she says. “My favorite arrangements are bridal bouquets. I love witnessing the joy of brides as they hold their stunning bouquets on their special day,” she says. She says during the hard lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic she realised there was a gap in the market in Giyani after she did not receive flowers for her birthday.
“I researched the floral market and potential companies to collaborate with. Unfortunately, my attempts were met with no response.” She says although she made mistakes along the way, she was determined to succeed. “Initially I opened a physical shop in the Vahlavi Complex in Section A in February 2021. However, due to various reasons, I made the decision to close it down in March 2022. “Since then, I have been operating online and from home,” she adds.
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She strongly believes that God has guided her to connect with the right people. “This belief was reaffirmed when I received a call from someone at Pick n Pay in Giyani who found my contact number on Google. They requested our flower delivery services and we successfully delivered. “This led to a long-standing partnership with Pick n Pay, which has been instrumental in the growth of Xiluva’s Petals,” she says. Running a florist business comes with its fair share of challenges.
The heat in Giyani can cause flowers to wilt in just a day, presenting a constant challenge to maintain their freshness. Additionally, the high demand for flowers during the festive season can be overwhelming. “Another hurdle I face is ensuring a consistent supply, as some of our flowers are sourced externally and this often leads to delays in supply,” Xiluva says. Being a florist means you have to be passionate, be able to find solutions and genuinely love serving and helping others.
“Leaving a positive impression and brightening someone’s day has always been my driving force. “Although I started my business to fill a gap in the market, as time went by my confidence grew and my love for what I do became my main motivator,” Chauke says. “I am grateful for the friendships, business acquaintances, and sisterhood I have formed in this industry. I am excited for what the future holds and will continue to grow and expand my business,” concludes Chauke.
