[Hua11.com Original] When examining the domestic flower shop industry, it becomes evident that the current flower market is in the early stages of rapid development. However, the management level of most flower shops and floral studios remains relatively basic. The founding team at Hua11.com possesses extensive experience in enterprise management and aims to challenge the existing industry norms. Their goal is to elevate the overall operational standards of the flower shop industry by introducing advanced management concepts.

This article introduces a crucial entrepreneurial concept: the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). It applies this concept to the feasibility test for students considering opening a flower shop or studio. Below, you'll find detailed content on this topic.

First, "One-step Completion" Is Not the Optimal Choice

In general, many students choose to start their own flower businesses after completing their studies, given that the florist plays a central role in the flower shop. However, due to limitations in their knowledge structure, florists tend to focus on improving craftsmanship and product quality rather than operational aspects. Consequently, when starting a flower shop or studio, they often face challenges such as:

- Lack of awareness of the consumption level in the target area where they plan to open a flower shop, leading them to position it as "high-end" with extravagant decorations.

- Uncertainty about their customer group's purchasing power, resulting in arbitrary pricing.

- Insufficient understanding of customer preferences, leading to the purchase of large quantities of expensive imported flower materials.

These issues are particularly pronounced for physical stores, where the upfront investment is substantial. Blindly investing a significant amount of money to open a store carries high risks. (For more details, refer to [Hua11.com · Flower Shop Startup Series 1] How much does it cost to open a flower shop or a floral studio?)

While some problems can be addressed through pre-opening preparations, others can only be accurately assessed through testing. Rushing into store opening with a "one-step completion" approach may yield positive results, but it could also lead to significant losses and operational challenges if expectations are not met. The trial-and-error cost associated with this approach is prohibitively high.

So, is there a better way? The answer is yes: the Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

(Image taken from the Internet)

Second, What Is MVP?

The term "MVP" stands for "Minimum Viable Product." In the context of Internet entrepreneurship, it represents a crucial development strategy. The primary goal of MVP is to prevent the creation of products that customers don't truly need.

Here's the basic idea behind this strategy: rapidly build the smallest functional set that fulfills the expected functions of the product. This minimal set should include enough features for product deployment and allow testing of key assumptions regarding customer interactions. Eric Ries introduced this concept in his book "The Lean Startup." The approach involves creating an initial product prototype using the fastest and simplest methods. This prototype should convey the desired final product effect, with subsequent refinements made through iterative processes.

Now, let's break it down in simpler terms. Imagine you want to develop a car:

The image above illustrates two approaches:

1. The Upper Part (High Risk): Starting by investing significant effort in developing the entire car upfront. However, this approach carries the risk of discovering discrepancies with market demand later on. Correcting errors at this stage can be costly and challenging.

2. The Lower Part (Low Risk): Begin with a low-cost skateboard (yes, really!). It's quick, efficient, and low-risk. Push this skateboard to the market to gauge customer reactions. Based on market feedback, make small adjustments and iterate. Repeat this process until you've built the car that perfectly meets market demand. This approach minimizes costs, maximizes results, and avoids financial strain (and potential bankruptcy) during the iterative upgrade process.

Remember, the key is to start small, validate, and then build upon success.

Third, Applying MVP in the Floral Industry

Given the relatively low investment risk associated with floral studios (see [Hua11.com · Flower Shop Startup Series 2] What is the difference between a floral studio and a flower shop?), let's consider opening a physical flower shop with a larger investment as an example. For those who have recently acquired floral craftsmanship skills, is it necessary to open a physical flower shop right from the start (even though that might have been your original intention when learning the craft)?

By embracing the MVP concept, we have various path choices, as depicted in the following figure:

Whether you verify your idea through the physical store where you work or within your own circle of friends, the ultimate goal is to simulate and test your mental blueprint for opening a store. Compare it with your preset expectations. This low-cost approach not only provides early customer insights and operational experience but also helps you avoid blindly launching a store.

Once you've thoroughly validated your idea, confidence naturally grows, and your goals and development route become clear. Thinking in terms of MVP offers multiple benefits in one stroke.

However, a crucial point to note: The yellow section in the figure carries certain moral risks. Avoid opening a store in the same area as your former employer—it's not ethically sound. Conduct business in areas with similar positioning but far from your previous workplace. Direct competition between former colleagues isn't beneficial for either party. Given that the flower industry remains relatively small, let's work together to expand the market and ensure everyone gets a slice of the cake rather than competing for shares.

If you're planning to open a floral studio, you can follow the same steps. The only difference is that your workplace shifts from a physical store to your own studio. During this transition, pay extra attention to marketing strategies.

Now, consider another scenario:

A student asks Hua11.com about opening a flower shop in her town (not a first, second, or third-tier city). The local market is untapped, and there isn't even a decent flower shop.

If we adopt the MVP approach, here's a suggested plan:

1. Assess the Population: If the town has a sufficient population, temporarily skip opening a physical store. Instead, focus on purchasing goods. Utilize your circle of friends, collaborate with a friend's existing store, or directly sell on a busy street.

2. Test the Waters: If business goes well, start actively searching for a store location. Prioritize selling the best-performing flower materials. Replace underperforming items as needed. After thorough testing, proceed with opening the store. (For more insights, refer to [Hua11.com · Product Analysis Series 3] Creating in-demand floral solutions and pricing them effectively using A/B testing)

3. Assess Business Performance: If business remains average or fails to cover costs, consider that your circle of friends may not be particularly interested in flowers, or perhaps you've chosen an unfavorable selling location. In such cases, explore new places.

This approach allows you to quickly verify the feasibility of your idea at a relatively low cost. Multiple iterations will reveal how receptive your town is to flowers. Reflecting on the initial question, you'll find your answer.

Fourth, Opting for a Better Path Choice

If you choose Hua11.com for training, you'll indeed have a superior path. Here's why: By attending classes at the chain physical flower shop where Hua11.com actively participates in operations, you gain the opportunity to thoroughly test your ideas. We strongly encourage you to do so.

Fifth, Expanding Applications

Whether you're considering opening a physical flower shop, establishing a studio, or launching a new floral product, the MVP approach offers valuable benefits. Embrace low-cost trial-and-error, swiftly adjust your plans, iterate, and steadily progress toward your goals. Remember, MVP is more than a concept—it's a powerful tool that can save you both money and time. :)

Copyright Statement:

This article is an original creation by Hua11.com and is included in the “How to Run a Flower Shop and Floral Studio” Ebook. The content of this article may be periodically updated and is initially published on the Hua11.com official website blog. You can find the article at this link: https://hua11.com/blog/4674.html.

Reproduction of this article is permitted, provided that it is reprinted in full and all copyright information is retained. Any form of plagiarism, whether partial or complete, is strictly prohibited. Legal action will be taken against violators.

The work titled “How to Run a Flower Shop and Floral Studio” is copyrighted by Hua11.com. Additionally, the “Practical Floral Training” model and the concept of “Light Decoration” are original creations by Hua11.com. The trademark “花艺意” is registered and protected by relevant national laws.