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Posted: Wed 8th Jul 2026
Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.
This series explores the practical steps small businesses can take to grow and thrive – from improving energy efficiency and embracing sustainability to creating a lasting impact in their local communities.
In this episode, we're joined by Nik Southern, founder of Grace & Thorn, the floristry business known for its wild, natural and rule-breaking approach to flowers and plants.
Nik shares how she moved from recruitment into floristry, built the business from her living room and grew it into one of London's best-known independent florists.
She also talks about the reality of running a high-street business, the power of the Hackney small business community and why believing in yourself matters more than most founders realise.
Why Nik left recruitment after 13 years and retrained as a florist in her mid-30s
Starting Grace & Thorn from her living room and selling flowers through friends, pubs and word of mouth
Moving from a small basement studio to a Hackney Road shop as the business started to grow
The challenges of running a high-street shop, from service charges to safety and rising pressure
Why Nik closed the shop and moved to a more manageable studio model
How Grace & Thorn built strong roots in Hackney's creative small business community
The burnout, guilt and pressure that can come with running a creative business for nearly 15 years
You can also listen on other platforms and Enterprise Nation.
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