AN ABERGAVENNY businesswoman who packed in her job to follow her dream of owning her own florist shop is encouraging other women to become entrepreneurs.

Emma Lynch, 32, opened her own florist Love Lilly two years ago in Cross Street.

Mrs Lynch used to work in fashion PR and then events management.

But when her husband Craig became ill with Crohn's Disease, Mrs Lynch decided life was too short and decided to follow her dream of owning her own florist.

The mum of one said she always loved flowers and despite having no experience of the industry she decided to go for it.

Mrs Lynch said: “After finishing the business plan and when the right premises became available I had no qualms about leaving my job and following my dream.”

She said in such a small market town the location of the florist would be critical to its success.

Two years on, Love Lilly is thriving and recently reached the final five of the best florist in the UK and was the only florist which reached the final from Wales.

She said budding entrepreneurs should plan everything before taking the plunge.

She added: “Once you have a plan in place and the business still makes sense you have to ask yourself ‘what have I got to lose?’ Ultimately, you only live once.”

Mrs Lynch is supporting Women’s Enterprise Day on Wednesday, November 19, which celebrates successful female entrepreneurs so as to inspire more women to turn their ideas into reality.