Florists are gearing up for the busy Mother’s Day period, and everyone in the floriculture sector is working hard to make sure the perfect bouquet is ready to hit the stores. And with so many different divisions, the excitement really is palpable! We’ve already seen how our growers prepare for this period, but today, it’s time to check out what our flowering plant buyer Nienke Nijenhuis has to say.
As a woman working in the ‘man’s world’ that is the flower industry, Nienke knows exactly what it takes to succeed. "I’ve been working in an industry dominated by men for many years now. As a woman, you sometimes need to work a little harder to prove your worth, but at the same time, that also makes people more eager to work with you. I love the direct, no-nonsense mentality in this sector. The thing I like the most about my job is the fast-paced nature of everyday trading. Offering the right plants at the right time and at the right price can be a real challenge. I think it’s important to build a good relationship with my suppliers, and doing so is something that really energises me.”
So, what’s Nienke's favourite plant? "I don’t have a single favourite, but I do really like seasonal plants. At the moment, hortensias are in high demand. I also have a soft spot for smaller, exclusive and occasionally lesser-known plants such as Sinningia Sonata or Gloriosa – those are simply stunning!"
