by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
“There isn’t a short version.”
That’s how Rose of Sharon owner and former City Council member Lynette Self replied when asked how she got into the floral business.
Let’s try for her:
Self’s sister-in-law, Linda, worked for LaMee and wanted to open her own shop. But, she didn’t have a location and she didn’t have any capital. She was willing to run the shop, she just needed help getting into the business. Self and her husband considered the offer. Lake Self told Linda to find a place to rent for $300 a month that was within a certain area of town.
“She found it the next day,” said Lynette Self.
That was 23 years ago and after having a second store in San Marco for several years and an eight-year stint on Council, Self is back at the shop full-time, working 50-60 hours a week.
“I make it a point not to clock in,” she said. “Fifty to 60 hours would be a normal week for me. But, I love what I do, so it’s OK.
“I do some marketing and get out and meet the public. I get to go to a lot of venues, so I am not just here in the building.”
Being the week of Valentine’s, the shop is busy. Self and her staff open the doors at 9 a.m. and end the day when the last delivery is made. In between, there are dozens of orders to take and make, everything from flowers to plants to gift baskets with flowers and wine and chocolate. And, yes, roses — expensive roses. Roses that were $15 a dozen last week but are now upwards of $75. But, explained Self, neither she nor your florist is out to gouge you this week. Most of the roses come from Columbia and the growers and wholesalers are simply applying the basic economic law of supply and demand. This week, there is a huge demand for roses and there’s a limited supply.
“Our costs go up, they increase significantly,” said Self. “The growers know we have to have them. But, our profit margin remains the same. It’s not just roses, but all red and white flowers.”
Self ran for Council in 1999 after being exposed to a zoning issue involving her neighbor. As a result, Self was forced to learn about the City’s zoning codes and city government in general.
“I love land use, that’s why I loved being on (the Council standing committee) Land Use & Zoning,” she said. “I learned all about zoning laws and that fascinated me. I found it interesting that government really did listen. I went to meetings and started to help others and it was kind of neat. That’s how I got started.”
After leaving Council in 2007, Self pondered a run at the State Legislature, but opted not to seek office.
“It’s a demanding job and you are out of town too much. I wanted to focus on my business,” she said.
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