The story of Floristería Bambú is, in essence, the story of a life dedicated to flowers . Olga Bugallo began working in the sector at just 15 years old and, after a brief stint running a haberdashery, returned to her true passion eight years ago by opening this shop in Pontevedra. Today, with almost half a century of experience, she continues to run the business alongside Sandra and Loli, proving that vocation knows no age or economic crisis.
The road hasn't been easy. Rising expenses and increasingly tight margins define Bambú's daily operations, but Bugallo prefers not to raise prices excessively to avoid losing customers. "You work hard, but if you want to maintain the same margins as before, expenses have doubled," she explains. Even so, her love for the craft keeps her going: "It's a world I love; otherwise, I wouldn't still be doing this."
A career spanning almost half a century
Olga Bugallo started in the floral world at 15 and for 25 years ran Floristería Olga on Arcebispo Malvar Street. After six years away from the industry, running a haberdashery, she returned to flowers with the help of her brother-in-law . Eight years ago, she opened Floristería Bambú, a project that allowed her to resume her career and build a new, loyal clientele in a different location. "My story is a long one," she says with a smile.
Since then, the business has adapted to market changes. Religious weddings have decreased and budgets are tighter , but Bugallo assures that sales remain the same, albeit with narrower margins. "If you want to maintain prices, the numbers get tough," he admits. Among the star products is the wildflower spring bouquet, although the rose remains a classic , and funeral bouquets make up a significant portion of their daily work.
A day in the life at Bambú Florist
Olga Bugallo's routine knows no rest. On Sundays, she usually works mornings, and on holidays like San Benito, she doesn't stop . "I like serving customers, and nobody forces me, but it's a way to earn a little extra to cover expenses," she explains. She longs for the days when the business allowed her to save, but jokes, "I've been in this location for 15 years, and I still don't know what saving is."
Personalized service is one of Bambú's defining characteristics. Bugallo prefers in-person meetings to managing quotes via WhatsApp . "I hate quotes by text message; I want to go there, see what can be installed, get ideas, and share my own," he says. This philosophy translates into a commitment: never saying no to a client, even if it means working unusual hours or on days off. "Gaining a client is hard, but losing one can happen in five minutes," he concludes.
The philosophy of not saying no
At Floristería Bambú, the top priority is meeting customer expectations, regardless of budget. "I try my best to deliver, even if it's just a €20 bouquet and vase ," says Bugallo. This daily delivery service means she's accompanied by Sandra and Loli, though she reflects that "I'd probably earn more working alone and closing only when I had to deliver a bouquet." However, she prefers to keep the shop open so as not to miss any opportunities.
Looking to the future, Olga Bugallo is realistic yet optimistic. At 62, she admits she's sometimes thought about giving it all up , but she finds it hard to imagine herself away from a profession she enjoys. "I have a problem: I'm addicted to my work, and it controls me. I get so much enjoyment out of making or delivering a bouquet," she confesses. "For the three years I have left, it doesn't make sense to leave. I don't rule out the possibility of a sudden change of heart, but I have to keep going," she concludes with a laugh.
The story of Floristería Bambú is that of a woman who has dedicated almost half a century to flowers, overcoming economic and personal setbacks with the same passion as the first day. Her commitment to personalized service, flexibility, and a deep love for her craft have allowed her to maintain a loyal clientele in an increasingly demanding industry. Although the future is uncertain, Bugallo perseveres, convinced that it is worth fighting for what you love.
