Celine Keane: From 16-year-old entrepreneur to established business woman

OVER the past 27 years business for Celine Keane has bloomed. However, starting her business at the tender age of 16 was no easy feat, with plenty of long days and determination invested into growing the Tallaght-based flower shop into a success.

In 1990, at the age of 16, Celine became the director of her own business Celine’s Flowers and Gifts, which she opened in a unit of the newly built Village Green in Tallaght Village.

Celine’s parents owned the flower shop in the old Tallaght Town Centre and it was here from the age of 11 that Celine learned her trade when on school holidays and at weekends.

“I was 16 when I started, which was probably too young to be the director of my own company”, Celine said.

“My mon and dad had the flower shop in the Tallaght Town Centre and I approached Kevin Molloy when the Village Green was basically a building site and that’s how my business came to be.

“I was quite young when I started up in business and found it hard for other business people to take me seriously.

“However, my landlord and mentor Kevin Molloy was very supportive and encouraging from the start and to date and I owe my success to him taking a chance on me.”

Currently employing five people and recruiting for one more, Celine has seen many changes in the industry over the years.

“Over the past 27 years I have seen a lot of changes in retail and florist business and I think all for the better”, she told The Echo.

“Online selling is growing and social media is a great way to show your store, new products and to reach customers. It also gives me a window to show off beautiful bridal bouquets, customer reviews and communication out of hours with customers by messenger overseas and at home.

“Online has opened my shop doors 24/7.”

She added: “At Celine’s I would like to think we offer outstanding personal customer service and we were delighted to be short listed for South Dublin County Council’s business award in 2016.

“Our most popular bouquet is our lily and rose classic, a fabulous large bouquet of the finest oriental lily and long stemmed naoimi roses with delicate gypsophila and kentia palm presented in an aqua box, customers just love it!

“Our wedding business is huge and mainly down to referrals from previous brides and wedding flower packages that are great value.”

When asked for her advice to anybody looking to set up business, Celine said: “It’s fantastic to see small local businesses back in the game after a tough few years.

“My advice to anyone setting up in retail is to be prepared for minimum 12 hour work days, seven days a week – hard work pays off.

“While your shop doors may be closed your business is not.”

Looking forward, Celine said: “My plan for the future is to hopefully grow my business even further and my work force.

“By maintaining excellent customer satisfaction I am very optimistic about the future of Celine’s Flowers and Gifts in Tallaght and very excited about the years ahead.”

For further information drop into Celine’s in the Village Green or visit www.irish flowershops.com