WITH Mother’s Day just a month away, an online flower shop is offering services for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to their loved ones so they can still show their love to those at home even from a distance.
Philblossoms.com owned by entrepreneur Felix Gomez Jr., started around May 2018, in an effort to bridge the distance between loved ones overseas and in the Philippines.
“During those days, I realized I did something great. It was not just about the business, but about being a bridge between lovers, families and friends,” he told SunStar Cebu.
Gomez, a computer engineering graduate, once served as a dean of STI Tacloban before he focused on his growing web development business.
He said he was inspired by stories of OFWs who miss their families and want their presence to be felt even if they are away.
“On its first few weeks of operation, I worked hands-on as a customer service officer. I was able to talk to OFWs, and they told me how they missed their wife or family. Some guys shared personal things, like they were not in good terms with their loved ones and they hoped that by sending flowers, they could be forgiven,” he said.
And it did help, Gomez said, as some of his customers told him that they were satisfied with the service.
Gomez said he has built connections with his customers.
“I feel the connection because my father was also a seaman, and he was often not with us when I was growing up. I noticed how my company has helped bring happiness to couples who are separated miles apart from each other,” he said.
His online flower shop offers bouquets of flowers, chocolates and teddy bears for all sorts of celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries.
“The good thing about my online flower shop business is that I can feel instant satisfaction. Filipinos are emotional people. If one is happy, everybody is happy. If one is sad, we find ways to make them happy,” he said.
“If I see couples happy because we were able to deliver the gift, I will be happier. At the end of the day, it’s what you do to make the world a better place,” Gomez added.