Connecticut Small Business Development Center

With 38 years of experience in the floral industry, Tammy Sirois has brought her expertise to Wallingford Flower LLC, a family-owned business that has been a cornerstone of the Wallingford community at 190 Center Street since 1950. After walking in the shoes of the previous owner, Tammy took over the business and has continued its rich legacy, offering fresh, stunning floral designs for weddings, events, and sympathy arrangements.

“I absolutely love my job, and I am very good at it,” Tammy says. Making people happy and serving her town is what drives her. Wallingford Flower offers same-day delivery and works to send flowers nationwide, ensuring every arrangement leaves a lasting impression.

Guidance for Growth: Support from CTSBDC

When Tammy was looking to take over Wallingford Flower LLC, she sought help from CTSBDC. “I was looking for guidance to put together my business plan and a plan of how to get myself approved by the bank for my loan. I needed guidance in general... I know flowers, not business.”

The support she received from CTSBDC business advisor Valerian Gomez was pivotal. “The services and counseling I received from Val were invaluable. You cannot put a price on the service he provided for me. His knowledge and understanding of what steps to take for starting the business made all the difference,” Tammy shares.

A Match Made in Heaven: Working with Valerian Gomez

Tammy describes her experience working with Valerian Gomez as “a match made in heaven.” She explains, “He was easy to talk to and answered every question I ever had... with poise, patience, and knowledge.”

Gomez shared his experience of working with Tammy

"It was such a joy to assist Tammy in achieving her goal of owning the business she previously worked at as an employee for over 30 years. We worked together on refining her business plan, projections, and cash flow management, as well as making improvements to her operations and staff efficiency."

One of the key challenges Tammy faced was securing financing to purchase the business. Through creative problem-solving, Gomez helped Tammy tap into assistance from the previous owner in the form of a seller note. This allowed her to qualify for a $247,500 term loan from Liberty Bank, along with a $50,000 line of credit for operational flexibility and a $33,000 seller note, which together facilitated the acquisition of Wallingford Flower LLC. Valerian adds,"I creatively helped client tap into assistance from owner in the form of a seller note that allowed her qualify for a term loan to acquire the business after being an employee of the company for over 30 years ."

Confidence and Growth: Lesson Learned

Since working with CTSBDC, Tammy has gained two key insights: “I am more confident that I can run my own business. I learned that by looking at the numbers, I can set a goal for myself to be more and more successful every year I am in business.”

Advice for Other Small Business Owners

Tammy encourages other small business owners to take advantage of SBDC services. “I would say don’t give up. There are a lot of steps in this process. Keep steady and trust your advisor. Especially if it’s Val.”

Booming Business and a Bright Future

In the last six months alone, she has booked the largest weddings, funerals, and events in her career at Wallingford Flower, more than in prior years working for the business. While working with her advisor, she also added one full-time employee, further fueling her business’s growth. The future looks bright as she continues to grow and serve her community with the same passion and dedication.

Amazing work, Tammy! With perseverance and the right support, any business can thrive!