From bloom to boom
Grandiflora’s Saskia Havekes shares how a Qantas Points earning Business Card has helped her iconic Sydney florist go global.
When Saskia Havekes started her floristry career in 1995, she wanted to run a small store with “flowers picked from the garden”.
In the 29 years since she opened Grandiflora (named after the Magnolia grandiflora, Havekes’ favourite flower) the business has become an institution in the inner-Sydney suburb of Potts Point and a go-to for celebrities and those seeking out sculptural arrangements.
Grandiflora now employs a team of nine, fulfilling nearly 10,000 orders a month through its digital and physical storefronts as well as creating artistic installations in homes and for events. The operation has also expanded beyond flowers to products such as Sandrine, an award-winning perfume that has developed into a complete line of wearable fragrances.
“While the shop and flowers will always be the heart of our business, I’m really excited by the new international opportunities the fragrances offer,” says Havekes.
“Unlocking cash flow for growth”
The florist’s foray into perfume has brought fresh challenges – and expenses. The purchase of new supplies, increased marketing spend and the opening of a dedicated fragrance boutique a few doors up from Grandiflora’s Macleay Street flagship store are all part of the expansion. For Havekes, access to the American Express® Qantas Business Rewards Card has been a key to growth.
“We normally spend within our means but we have up to 51 days to pay for purchases on the Card.1 There’s a comfort knowing that there’s no pre-set spending limit2 and that my access to funding has grown along with the business’s new ventures.”
“It makes business travel smarter”
Havekes earns up to 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday business expenses with the Card and 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on Qantas products and services.3 “We have a beautiful store in Singapore and
I fly there often. As a Qantas Business Rewards Member, I’ll make sure to book my flights with Qantas to access up to 10 per cent off eligible flights.”
“Qantas Points take my business further”
Her savvy accumulation of Qantas Points has also enabled Havekes to promote the Grandiflora brand abroad while seeking out new distribution opportunities.
“I used Qantas Points to book a trip to the US to attend the Art and Olfaction Awards
– we won in the Independent Category in 2022, which was a huge honour for me. I extended my trip to meet new distributors across the US to try and break into that market. It’s so vital to meet people face-to-face and we’re really excited about what lies ahead.”