Glynda Lasseigne

Glynda Lasseigne has always loved flowers. When the Berwick mom and homemaker was approached in March 1983 by her sister-in-law, anxious to find a business partner, Lasseigne jumped at the chance n never mind the down-on-its-luck economy, suffering from the effects of a depressed oil industry.

Lasseigne, owner of Town and Country Florist & Gifts in Berwick, believes any woman interested in starting her own business should be stubborn and “not give up” on her desire.

Desire became a huge factor when Lasseigne’s sister-in-law moved out of state within the first three years of the business’ infancy. The mom-turned-businesswoman became the company’s sole driving force.

“You can’t be a quitter. Period,” Lasseigne said. “My husband said, ‘If you can make a living while this economy is so flat, you can make it.’ And I did.

“You have to be prepared to give up holidays and weekends. And you have to think out of the box n my customers know they’re going to get more than roses and carnations from us, even though roses are still our best sellers,” she added.

Lasseigne said she sells about 10,000 roses and 10,000 carnations over the span of a year, but that’s a conservative estimate. And Valentine’s Day remains the busiest day of the year.

“My goal this year is to increase our exotic flower sales. They’re more expensive, but they last much, much longer. It’s just a delightful collaboration of colors,” she said.

Those embracing the flower business have to be aware: July and August are slow months.

“If it wasn’t for weddings and funerals, we’d have to lock the doors.”

Always looking for ways to improve, Lasseigne said extra care is given to funeral arrangements, with the hope of bringing comfort to those who have lost a loved one.

“We’re asking about sports … the deceased’s occupation,” she explained. “Recently, it was a simple gesture … just using a favorite pair of boots. Things like this just bring so much more comfort.”

Surviving today n for male-run or female-run operations n requires imagination, Lasseigne notes. For instance, her company expanded recently into the commercial decorating arena.

“We’re decorating Christmas trees in homes and businesses leading up to the holidays; then, we return and take everything down and pack it up until next season,” she said. “This is just one of the ways we diversify, which is another little nugget I think is important for anyone who is starting a business.”

Like many women, it’s a struggle to juggle home life and work. Lasseigne credits her husband for helping raise their three children. Today, her focus is on the grandkids.

“My kids remember me working until 1 or 2 in the morning,” she said. “Now, my business can run itself. I have 10 wonderful employees and, because of them, I can have the extra time I need to spend with my grandchildren.”

Life’s biggest lesson in the business world, Lasseigne said is, “endurance is a big factor. You just can’t give up. It does get better.

“I’ve never regretted being a woman, especially a woman in business,” she continued. “The only time I’ve had any trouble is when I’ve been car shopping because the salesmen always wanted to talk to my husband.”

Title: President, Town and Country Florist & Gifts

Age: 67

Family: Barry Lasseigne, Melinda Gray, B.J. Lasseigne, Ryan Lasseigne

Education: Morgan City High School, attended Nicholls.

If you could add one hour to each day: Relax.

First job: working at National Food Store as a cashier,

Describe yourself in one word: I don’t know that there is just one

What did you want to be growing up? I wanted to be in interior design

Best advice received: “To do your job and then some, if you help someone up the ladder of success, you’re helping yourself, as well.”

Best advice you’d give to a woman in business: “Research it and look into it and look at all the pros and cons to make sure this is really what you’d want to do. Make sure it’s something you really love because you have to put a lot of time into it. And if you’re going to spend so much time doing something, it might as well be something you love.”

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? It would be something with creating things. Something creative, whether in sewing or in window dressing or accessories.