Saturday, November 19, 2016
Small Business Saturday
This year November 26th has been designated as Small Business Saturday. This day is dedicated to all of the Small Businesses in the area, and is set aside as a time to introduce YOU, the consumer, to the small business shops in your community! You have every other day in the year to take advantage of the big box stores, but this day is set aside for you to explore the "little guy" in your neighborhood. The Gap Area Small Business Association has over 100 members that are ready, willing, and able to serve their community. We here at Fuller's Floral will be quite busy that day, but we will be welcoming shoppers to stop in and see what WE do. We have a wedding in the morning and then a class in the afternoon. You can get a look first hand at all that goes into wedding preparation as well as a floral design class in the afternoon. Stop by for some light refreshments and don't forget to order your very own Snowman that will be featured during the class. We will be offering a special price for those ordering on Small Business Saturday and delivery can be scheduled any time between Nov. 26th & Dec. 31st. Call 717 442 3158 or shop our website any time of the day or night at www.fullersfloral.net Don't forget to check out our Facebook page and give us a "LIKE"!
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
CUSTOMER SERVICE STARTS AT THE DOOR
What is the first thing you think of when you see someone coming through your front door? Are you happy to see that wonderful person known as a "customer"?
How do you let that person know that you value his business? Do you greet him with a smile or just continue on doing whatever it was that you were doing before they walked in?
How Does Your Customer Service Measure up?
I must confess that I have a bad habit of doing the latter. I am usually engrossed in some task requiring my full attention - paperwork, taxes or the finances, and it is hard for me to "drop everything" when someone walks in. At times, I barely look up to greet this person. That is a definite problem!!
Luckily for me, I have a partner that realizes my lack of social skills in this area, and she takes up the slack immediately. I watch in awe as she greets each guest with a smile and makes them feel like the most important person on earth at that moment in time. It astonishes me that she is able to carry this off with grace and an ease which only comes from doing it each and every time a customer comes through the door.
The reasons people become your customers...
Some customers are in your store because they need your help. These customers need your time. Be sure to make them feel their needs are important to you and find out how you can be of service to them. Sometimes customers just need to be heard.
Some customers are at your business because they know what they want and know that you will have it or get it for them. I call this group "express customers." They know what they want when they get to your store. They are usually on a time crunch and have a limited amount of time they want to spend to get exactly what they want. These customers want efficiency.
Some are just there to "look around". These types are really there to see how you make them feel. Are you too busy to be bothered with them since they are not really making any purchases right now? Do you show them the same consideration as if they were making a high dollar purchase? This is an area where I think many owners need improvement. I have noticed my partner doesn't seem to think it matters WHO they are or WHAT they want...she treats every person like they are just about to spend a million dollars in our shop. And this is not an act because she truly believes that each and every customer no matter how large or small their purchase - is worthy of her time. And she is right! Marketing folks recognize this technique as cultivating a customer. Investing time and effort now will help to develop a relationship that the customer will remember when they are ready to make that purchase.
What you can do to improve your customer service skills...
As you can see, you have to be many things to many different types of customers. No matter what you have been doing in the past...you can always improve. It's not too late for us old dogs to learn new tricks.
So, the next time you hear that bell ring to signal a customer is coming into your shop just remember the old fire drill rules - STOP - DROP - AND ROLL!!!
STOP whatever you are doing.
DROP everything so you can look that customer in the eye as they come in and..
ROLL out the red carpet because this is the most important person that you will meet today. Put on your best smile and make this person feel like more than a customer - make them feel like a trusted friend.
What is the first thing you think of when you see someone coming through your front door? Are you happy to see that wonderful person known as a "customer"?
How do you let that person know that you value his business? Do you greet him with a smile or just continue on doing whatever it was that you were doing before they walked in?
How Does Your Customer Service Measure up?
I must confess that I have a bad habit of doing the latter. I am usually engrossed in some task requiring my full attention - paperwork, taxes or the finances, and it is hard for me to "drop everything" when someone walks in. At times, I barely look up to greet this person. That is a definite problem!!
Luckily for me, I have a partner that realizes my lack of social skills in this area, and she takes up the slack immediately. I watch in awe as she greets each guest with a smile and makes them feel like the most important person on earth at that moment in time. It astonishes me that she is able to carry this off with grace and an ease which only comes from doing it each and every time a customer comes through the door.
The reasons people become your customers...
Some customers are in your store because they need your help. These customers need your time. Be sure to make them feel their needs are important to you and find out how you can be of service to them. Sometimes customers just need to be heard.
Some customers are at your business because they know what they want and know that you will have it or get it for them. I call this group "express customers." They know what they want when they get to your store. They are usually on a time crunch and have a limited amount of time they want to spend to get exactly what they want. These customers want efficiency.
Some are just there to "look around". These types are really there to see how you make them feel. Are you too busy to be bothered with them since they are not really making any purchases right now? Do you show them the same consideration as if they were making a high dollar purchase? This is an area where I think many owners need improvement. I have noticed my partner doesn't seem to think it matters WHO they are or WHAT they want...she treats every person like they are just about to spend a million dollars in our shop. And this is not an act because she truly believes that each and every customer no matter how large or small their purchase - is worthy of her time. And she is right! Marketing folks recognize this technique as cultivating a customer. Investing time and effort now will help to develop a relationship that the customer will remember when they are ready to make that purchase.
What you can do to improve your customer service skills...
As you can see, you have to be many things to many different types of customers. No matter what you have been doing in the past...you can always improve. It's not too late for us old dogs to learn new tricks.
So, the next time you hear that bell ring to signal a customer is coming into your shop just remember the old fire drill rules - STOP - DROP - AND ROLL!!!
STOP whatever you are doing.
DROP everything so you can look that customer in the eye as they come in and..
ROLL out the red carpet because this is the most important person that you will meet today. Put on your best smile and make this person feel like more than a customer - make them feel like a trusted friend.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
To Join or Not to Join...that is the question???
Today, many small businesses are faced with the opportunity to join numerous organizations. These organizations will supposedly help nurture and support them within their community. Every small business has to choose the organization that will give them the most "bang for their buck." Limited budgets force the small business owner to check into the details of an organization and find out exactly what benefits they will offer to see if it is worth the expense.
What to look for...
The networking aspect is one consideration. Getting to know other business owners within your own community can and should be a huge help-especially to a start up business. Since start ups do not have the advantage of a customer base that was handed down to them from previous years of cultivating community relationships, networking can help break the ice and allow your business to get involved with what's happening within the community.
Support from within...
A few questions need to be answered when deciding on which organization will best suit the needs of your particular business.
Is there support available? Do they offer a website or Facebook page where you can get some answers? Some organizations have their website and Facebook pages professionally set up, but then never check on them once they "go live." When was the last time their site/page was updated? Do they offer business tips or articles of business related topics? Are they interactive with their members through communications?
Who belongs and WHY?
How did you hear about this organization? Were they referred by another business member of the community? Do you respect their opinion? Are they community minded individuals who are looking to refer your business to others? Are they offering networking opportunities? Do the members USE businesses in the area or do they primarily do business outside your area? What are the goals of the organization and are they in line with the goals of your business? SHARING your name with others in the community can be an important part of business to business operations. Do they have a way to do this and are they using it? There is nothing better than a customer referral from another business. It tells the customer that the referring business trusts your business to take good care of "their" customer. And when you do, they will become "your" customer too.
To Join or Not to Join...
Once you look at all sides of this question the answer will present itself. Keeping in mind your budget, what you will gain from membership, and whether or not it suits your interests will all be factors that help you make the decision. Whether it is the local Chamber of Commerce, a national organization, or a business promotional site, get out there and really look at the organization! If you find more pros than cons, then you have your answer--go for it!
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Do It Yourself-ers - A Florist's Nightmare or Dream Come True???
This is a subject that strikes terror into the heart of every florist - A DIY individual. Every flower shop has THAT individual who thinks they can do it themselves, and they just need a little assistance from the local florist. Then, Aunt Betty can take over and SHE will do all the centerpieces for the event is that is taking place. There are a few reasons that your local florist may not be as "pleased as punch" to help you out in a situation like this. Let's look at it from the florist's point of view as opposed to the DIY-er's
Point #1 - Whose reputation is on the line?
So let's just take for example that it is a bridal party. Of course the bride does not want to take a chance that her bouquet or her bridal party bouquets will be anything less than perfection, so she asks the florist to do those. The florist gives the bride her price and all is well with both parties. THEN the reception is discussed and Aunt Betty has made it clear that she will do the centerpieces. This is unfortunate for both the bride and the florist. The florist has put her name on the line by doing the bridal party, but she will also be mentioned even though she did not do the centerpieces. Many floral shops will not DO only choice pieces of the party, and then allow a DIY-er to do other non professional pieces. The reason for this is that their shop name is associated with ALL of that wedding or party. No one ever says, well "So and So Floral" did the brides and bridal party, but Aunt Betty did the reception pieces (especially if those look amateurish)...NO, THEY DON'T! Unfortunately no matter what the DIY-er centerpieces look like, the Flower shop takes the "credit"(or in this case - the rap). Believe me, it just happened to a friend of mine! And here is the resulting centerpiece from the DIYer!!!
So do you think the guests at this event are going to talk about the beautiful bridal bouquet that was done professionally by her florist OR the above centerpiece? And Aunt Betty will not be mentioned as the creator. That is point #1.
Point #2 - It is a matter of professionalism. Do you know how many hours of training went into the making of a REAL florist? Most florists are in a continual training mode - just to keep up with the latest trends. They read all they can in the latest trade magazines, subscribe to online courses or take classes wherever they are offered. These classes are not cheap, but in order to stay abreast of the new ideas; they are necessary. That is what makes your REAL FLORIST the person you can TRUST to make your event perfect. Do you have any idea how INSULTING it is to your local florist to suggest that Aunt Betty could make it just as nice? You wouldn't go into a restaurant, steak in hand and say to the chef, "Show me how to cook this steak just as good as YOU do it". You realize that the chef has had training unavailable to John Q. Public and you would trust that he would do a good job and if you made it out of the kitchen alive, that would be a plus!. When a customer suggests that anybody can throw some stems in a vase and create a centerpiece, it is a real slap in the face to that florist. So, please THINK about it before you decide to go that route.
Point #3 - Getting the flowers. Your florist is not a wholesaler of flowers. They buy them FROM a wholesaler. Flowers are not cheap. Do you know how many you will need? or are you expecting your florist to tell you what to order? From the florist's point of view, this is not a fair position to put her in - YOU are taking her job away from her, and yet you expect her to do the estimate on the number of flowers you will need? From the DIYer's outlook, you NEED her (the florist's) expertise or you may be caught short by ordering too light or wasteful by over ordering. The next question is WHEN should I get them? Most florists know if the wedding is on this date, then the flowers should come in on that date. Some need time to mature, others have no lead time and should be ordered at the last minute. This is one of the main reasons that some florists charge a "Consultation Fee" up front. It pays for the time it takes to make all of these decisions that can save you time and money in the end.
Point #4 - Time is Money - when you decide to "stop by your florist to run some ideas past her" do you realize that even though she is willing to stop whatever she is doing to help you, she has 100 things waiting for her attention on the back burner? DIYers need to research their project before going to the shop owner for advice. The florist isn't going to make any money on your project, so you need to KNOW what you want before going there. Remember if you are planning on just buying stems, the florist will be making approximately a 10% markup which is $10 on a $100 purchase. If you are a regular customer, I'm certain that your florist will be willing to help you, but if you are someone who never uses that florist, you may find your reception a little "chilly"! Designers are usually not willing to give away their trade secrets that took them YEARS to learn without compensation.
Point #5 - Is it worth the savings to do it yourself? This can only be answered on a case by case basis. Sometimes it is actually cheaper to allow the professional to do their job. All of the above are the deciding factors that a DIYer must take into account.The actual arranging, delivery and setup are all things that must be done at the last minute. Your florist is used to doing them because it is part of her job. Delivery of an event alone can be a harrowing situation - ask any delivery person! As a DIYer are you planning on attending the event? Being fully dressed and ready for the event takes time and while it can be done, you certainly don't want to end up with your good dress all water stained from a few unruly vases in your car.
After all is said and done, the option is certainly YOURS, but it's always good to look at an issue from both sides and try to see both the pros and cons before making any decision. Hopefully this article has opened your eyes to the joys and pitfalls of "doing it yourself".
Point #1 - Whose reputation is on the line?
So let's just take for example that it is a bridal party. Of course the bride does not want to take a chance that her bouquet or her bridal party bouquets will be anything less than perfection, so she asks the florist to do those. The florist gives the bride her price and all is well with both parties. THEN the reception is discussed and Aunt Betty has made it clear that she will do the centerpieces. This is unfortunate for both the bride and the florist. The florist has put her name on the line by doing the bridal party, but she will also be mentioned even though she did not do the centerpieces. Many floral shops will not DO only choice pieces of the party, and then allow a DIY-er to do other non professional pieces. The reason for this is that their shop name is associated with ALL of that wedding or party. No one ever says, well "So and So Floral" did the brides and bridal party, but Aunt Betty did the reception pieces (especially if those look amateurish)...NO, THEY DON'T! Unfortunately no matter what the DIY-er centerpieces look like, the Flower shop takes the "credit"(or in this case - the rap). Believe me, it just happened to a friend of mine! And here is the resulting centerpiece from the DIYer!!!
So do you think the guests at this event are going to talk about the beautiful bridal bouquet that was done professionally by her florist OR the above centerpiece? And Aunt Betty will not be mentioned as the creator. That is point #1.
Point #2 - It is a matter of professionalism. Do you know how many hours of training went into the making of a REAL florist? Most florists are in a continual training mode - just to keep up with the latest trends. They read all they can in the latest trade magazines, subscribe to online courses or take classes wherever they are offered. These classes are not cheap, but in order to stay abreast of the new ideas; they are necessary. That is what makes your REAL FLORIST the person you can TRUST to make your event perfect. Do you have any idea how INSULTING it is to your local florist to suggest that Aunt Betty could make it just as nice? You wouldn't go into a restaurant, steak in hand and say to the chef, "Show me how to cook this steak just as good as YOU do it". You realize that the chef has had training unavailable to John Q. Public and you would trust that he would do a good job and if you made it out of the kitchen alive, that would be a plus!. When a customer suggests that anybody can throw some stems in a vase and create a centerpiece, it is a real slap in the face to that florist. So, please THINK about it before you decide to go that route.
Point #3 - Getting the flowers. Your florist is not a wholesaler of flowers. They buy them FROM a wholesaler. Flowers are not cheap. Do you know how many you will need? or are you expecting your florist to tell you what to order? From the florist's point of view, this is not a fair position to put her in - YOU are taking her job away from her, and yet you expect her to do the estimate on the number of flowers you will need? From the DIYer's outlook, you NEED her (the florist's) expertise or you may be caught short by ordering too light or wasteful by over ordering. The next question is WHEN should I get them? Most florists know if the wedding is on this date, then the flowers should come in on that date. Some need time to mature, others have no lead time and should be ordered at the last minute. This is one of the main reasons that some florists charge a "Consultation Fee" up front. It pays for the time it takes to make all of these decisions that can save you time and money in the end.
Point #5 - Is it worth the savings to do it yourself? This can only be answered on a case by case basis. Sometimes it is actually cheaper to allow the professional to do their job. All of the above are the deciding factors that a DIYer must take into account.The actual arranging, delivery and setup are all things that must be done at the last minute. Your florist is used to doing them because it is part of her job. Delivery of an event alone can be a harrowing situation - ask any delivery person! As a DIYer are you planning on attending the event? Being fully dressed and ready for the event takes time and while it can be done, you certainly don't want to end up with your good dress all water stained from a few unruly vases in your car.
After all is said and done, the option is certainly YOURS, but it's always good to look at an issue from both sides and try to see both the pros and cons before making any decision. Hopefully this article has opened your eyes to the joys and pitfalls of "doing it yourself".
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Proms, Corsages, and Bouts...
Proms, Corsages, and Bouts...
This is a topic we don't usually think about until the actual time of the event is upon us. It's unlike any other event that takes place during the course of a florist's year, for many reasons, some good and some not so good. I'd like to take a minute to discuss some of the elements that go into choosing the right florist to take care of your prom needs and how you, the customer, can prepare to make this another great floral event in your life.
You may wonder, "What goes into making a good corsage or boutonniere?" As a florist the first thing I would say is planning. Deciding what kind of corsage you want to wear is the first step. Are you going to carry a Tussie Mussie, which were very popular this year or are you going to go for a more traditional wrist corsage? Are you looking to end up with a keepsake piece of jewelry or would you like some original wire work that is now available? Have you decided on your dress - these colors will be important in making sure that you have coordinating ribbon choices? The answers to these questions should be available when you go to speak to the florist. This makes your prom consultation so much easier. Don't forget to give her the date of your prom and agree on a time for pick up. She will also need your telephone number and billing information as all special orders are prepaid. Prom season is a flurry of activity, so it is best to get these details out of the way as early as possible.
The second step is your consultation. It is your job to be ready with the answers to the above questions in order for the consult to go smoothly. The most important part of the consult for the florist is listening and hearing what you want. It is always fun to throw out some "fun" suggestions, but a good florist is one that will hear what you want and go with your choices. Do you want "bling", how about some baby pearls?, do you want roses or orchids or a combination of flowers? These are all choices you will need to make on the spot. You must be ready, so do your homework before you get there!
My best suggestion is to know your local florist! Establish a relationship with them beforehand so that you feel comfortable discussing what you really want with them. You may want to stop by early before "prom-mania" starts and he or she can show you the types of flowers generally used, or you can discuss any special ideas you may have. This pre-consult visit also gives you the opportunity to take your time and look over books or pictures from previous years. During crunch time, a florist will not be able to do this, so get there early on in the season.
And last but not least, don't wait until the last minute to place your order. Every florist wants to be able to give you the corsage of your dreams, but if you don't give them the time needed to place the order for your flowers, it can be disappointing on both ends. The florist will feel that she hasn't provided you with the experience you deserved and you may not be able to get the exact corsage you wanted.
Pick up day is usually one that is fun. You get to see your creation come to life, and the florist gets to see your reaction to her hard work. Many long hours go into getting that corsage from the planning stage to a "ready to wear" accessory. You are ready to go!! Enjoy your evening out and don't forget to tag your florist in your FB photos!
This is a topic we don't usually think about until the actual time of the event is upon us. It's unlike any other event that takes place during the course of a florist's year, for many reasons, some good and some not so good. I'd like to take a minute to discuss some of the elements that go into choosing the right florist to take care of your prom needs and how you, the customer, can prepare to make this another great floral event in your life.
You may wonder, "What goes into making a good corsage or boutonniere?" As a florist the first thing I would say is planning. Deciding what kind of corsage you want to wear is the first step. Are you going to carry a Tussie Mussie, which were very popular this year or are you going to go for a more traditional wrist corsage? Are you looking to end up with a keepsake piece of jewelry or would you like some original wire work that is now available? Have you decided on your dress - these colors will be important in making sure that you have coordinating ribbon choices? The answers to these questions should be available when you go to speak to the florist. This makes your prom consultation so much easier. Don't forget to give her the date of your prom and agree on a time for pick up. She will also need your telephone number and billing information as all special orders are prepaid. Prom season is a flurry of activity, so it is best to get these details out of the way as early as possible.
The second step is your consultation. It is your job to be ready with the answers to the above questions in order for the consult to go smoothly. The most important part of the consult for the florist is listening and hearing what you want. It is always fun to throw out some "fun" suggestions, but a good florist is one that will hear what you want and go with your choices. Do you want "bling", how about some baby pearls?, do you want roses or orchids or a combination of flowers? These are all choices you will need to make on the spot. You must be ready, so do your homework before you get there!
My best suggestion is to know your local florist! Establish a relationship with them beforehand so that you feel comfortable discussing what you really want with them. You may want to stop by early before "prom-mania" starts and he or she can show you the types of flowers generally used, or you can discuss any special ideas you may have. This pre-consult visit also gives you the opportunity to take your time and look over books or pictures from previous years. During crunch time, a florist will not be able to do this, so get there early on in the season.
And last but not least, don't wait until the last minute to place your order. Every florist wants to be able to give you the corsage of your dreams, but if you don't give them the time needed to place the order for your flowers, it can be disappointing on both ends. The florist will feel that she hasn't provided you with the experience you deserved and you may not be able to get the exact corsage you wanted.
Pick up day is usually one that is fun. You get to see your creation come to life, and the florist gets to see your reaction to her hard work. Many long hours go into getting that corsage from the planning stage to a "ready to wear" accessory. You are ready to go!! Enjoy your evening out and don't forget to tag your florist in your FB photos!
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Is sending flowers a waste of money?
DISCLAIMER: Let me preface this blog post by saying that I do not believe in tearing down any industry for the sake of making another group look better and that is NOT how this blog was intended. It is only my random thoughts about how giving flowers compares to other gifts and not intended to belittle any other groups or take away from the excellence of their gift products.
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Today I'd like to discuss a phrase I heard over the holidays. "I don't like to send flowers, because they just die" So apparently this person felt it was a waste of his money to buy flowers. At the time, I didn't come to the defense of my profession. I was a guest and felt it inappropriate to argue the point. As a florist, I have heard this being said more than once in my career, but this time it made me stop and think. Are flowers a waste of money??? I don't think so.
Yes, flowers DO die. They are a living part of nature. They have a beginning and an end. AND if you take proper care of them they can last and provide much joy during their "stay".
Let's looks at some of the other types of "gifts" that society has deemed appropriate as opposed to giving flowers...
For instance, chocolate. .MMMMmmm! I love chocolate but it has to be GOOD chocolate...and that runs in the same price range as flowers. So, price wise, it is comparable. You travel to your favorite Candy store and make your purchase. Happiness factor? I would give it a 10...but what about those on a diet or diabetics? Not a good choice for those guys. Now-how long does it last? Once the box is opened, it is soon over. Offering friends and family members a piece will destroy a box in a matter or a few days. So, the lasting quality just isn't there.
How about a nice dinner out? Everyone loves to dine out, but it can be very expensive (a meal for ONE person can equal the price of a beautiful bouquet) and then you have to pay for the rest of the guests or yourself - doubling the cost and the experience lasts for JUST that evening. And we all know how long that meal will last and where it will end up, don't we? Happiness factor again I'd say 10 because you are spending quality time with people you love..Not bad!
Jewelry?? Now there's a gift that lasts! It is also a gift that COSTS! This is definitely a gift of choice for any special lady (a 10 for sure) BUT you need to get out that credit card, because it will take a while to pay this gift off. So, not really cost efficient, but HAS last-ability (that's a new word I just made up - not in the dictionary I'm sure)!! You can show it off to others; but then you might be considered a "show off" :) You can't go wrong with jewelry.
NOW, let's take a look at flowers from beginning to end. They are easy to order - you don't even have to leave the house OR you can order from your desk at work OR when you are on the GO. Call or place an order via our website and BAM that task is DONE. OK, so you call to place an order...you can check the website to see about what you can get for the money you have to spend....Kelly will make you something according to your budget amount. We have done single stem Roses with greens & baby's breath for as little as $5. You can hardly buy a CARD for $5 these days. Let's say you want something DELIVERED...Our minimum for a delivered order is $35 and if you are sending to a Gap resident (our hometown) there is NO DELIVERY fee. So, the order is placed, the cost is reasonable (remember it fits YOUR budget), what's next? Kelly will put together an order fulfilling your requirements...bright and cheery? serene? whatever you require. At that point your order is delivered to "that special someone". The recipient is HAPPY to get flowers! If they are sent to the workplace - EVERYONE gets to see that someone cared enough to send flowers!! Then the flowers go home and once again, the happiness is shared! Pretty good bang for your buck, don't you think? They are placed with care for all to see and appreciate their beauty, time and time again. With proper care they should last a week or longer...just don't forget to change the water every 2 days and make a fresh cut so they can drink!
So...going back to the original thought here, let's take a look at the value of buying flowers for your loved ones versus other purchases. You don't have to leave your home to order, whereas eating out or purchasing chocolates require a trip to either the store or the restaurant. Your flowers give joy when received, as do chocolates and maybe even restaurant outings. That joy from flowers can then be shared with others - chocolates and jewelry make the grade here, but not so much the eating out experience. And finally the longevity of the gift given...well flowers last probably a lot longer than those chocolates, and DEFINITELY longer than that meal!!! Besides that you usually end up with a lovely container from your flowers that can be reused or recycled again and again!
Perhaps the next time I hear this being said, I WILL come to the defense of my profession and mention all the reasons stated here as examples of why buying flowers is one of the BEST uses of your money when purchasing a gift!
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Today I'd like to discuss a phrase I heard over the holidays. "I don't like to send flowers, because they just die" So apparently this person felt it was a waste of his money to buy flowers. At the time, I didn't come to the defense of my profession. I was a guest and felt it inappropriate to argue the point. As a florist, I have heard this being said more than once in my career, but this time it made me stop and think. Are flowers a waste of money??? I don't think so.
Yes, flowers DO die. They are a living part of nature. They have a beginning and an end. AND if you take proper care of them they can last and provide much joy during their "stay".
Let's looks at some of the other types of "gifts" that society has deemed appropriate as opposed to giving flowers...
For instance, chocolate. .MMMMmmm! I love chocolate but it has to be GOOD chocolate...and that runs in the same price range as flowers. So, price wise, it is comparable. You travel to your favorite Candy store and make your purchase. Happiness factor? I would give it a 10...but what about those on a diet or diabetics? Not a good choice for those guys. Now-how long does it last? Once the box is opened, it is soon over. Offering friends and family members a piece will destroy a box in a matter or a few days. So, the lasting quality just isn't there.How about a nice dinner out? Everyone loves to dine out, but it can be very expensive (a meal for ONE person can equal the price of a beautiful bouquet) and then you have to pay for the rest of the guests or yourself - doubling the cost and the experience lasts for JUST that evening. And we all know how long that meal will last and where it will end up, don't we? Happiness factor again I'd say 10 because you are spending quality time with people you love..Not bad!
Jewelry?? Now there's a gift that lasts! It is also a gift that COSTS! This is definitely a gift of choice for any special lady (a 10 for sure) BUT you need to get out that credit card, because it will take a while to pay this gift off. So, not really cost efficient, but HAS last-ability (that's a new word I just made up - not in the dictionary I'm sure)!! You can show it off to others; but then you might be considered a "show off" :) You can't go wrong with jewelry.
NOW, let's take a look at flowers from beginning to end. They are easy to order - you don't even have to leave the house OR you can order from your desk at work OR when you are on the GO. Call or place an order via our website and BAM that task is DONE. OK, so you call to place an order...you can check the website to see about what you can get for the money you have to spend....Kelly will make you something according to your budget amount. We have done single stem Roses with greens & baby's breath for as little as $5. You can hardly buy a CARD for $5 these days. Let's say you want something DELIVERED...Our minimum for a delivered order is $35 and if you are sending to a Gap resident (our hometown) there is NO DELIVERY fee. So, the order is placed, the cost is reasonable (remember it fits YOUR budget), what's next? Kelly will put together an order fulfilling your requirements...bright and cheery? serene? whatever you require. At that point your order is delivered to "that special someone". The recipient is HAPPY to get flowers! If they are sent to the workplace - EVERYONE gets to see that someone cared enough to send flowers!! Then the flowers go home and once again, the happiness is shared! Pretty good bang for your buck, don't you think? They are placed with care for all to see and appreciate their beauty, time and time again. With proper care they should last a week or longer...just don't forget to change the water every 2 days and make a fresh cut so they can drink!
So...going back to the original thought here, let's take a look at the value of buying flowers for your loved ones versus other purchases. You don't have to leave your home to order, whereas eating out or purchasing chocolates require a trip to either the store or the restaurant. Your flowers give joy when received, as do chocolates and maybe even restaurant outings. That joy from flowers can then be shared with others - chocolates and jewelry make the grade here, but not so much the eating out experience. And finally the longevity of the gift given...well flowers last probably a lot longer than those chocolates, and DEFINITELY longer than that meal!!! Besides that you usually end up with a lovely container from your flowers that can be reused or recycled again and again!
Perhaps the next time I hear this being said, I WILL come to the defense of my profession and mention all the reasons stated here as examples of why buying flowers is one of the BEST uses of your money when purchasing a gift!
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Easter Week 2016
This week has been a very busy one for us at Fuller's Floral & Gift Shoppe. Easter is coming up and we are reminded of the loss and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately our week has been filled with the loss of several good friends, parents of good friends, and even siblings of good friends. At times like this it is hard to be a florist. Guiding those families through the maze of grief is such a hard thing to do. Feeling the loss of others is just a part of being a GOOD florist. Sometimes it is impossible to make the floral arrangements without tears springing to your eyes.Then you realize that a family out there is counting on you and you have a job to finish. They depend on you to make the best of a very bad situation, just a little easier to bear. And flowers are an expression of the love they have for their person. Flowers put a bright spot in an otherwise somber occasion. They remind all of the people gathered to say their final farewells that there will be better days ahead. So to all those designers out there, I say BRAVO and Thank You for bringing sunshine into a cloudy day.
Unfortunately our week has been filled with the loss of several good friends, parents of good friends, and even siblings of good friends. At times like this it is hard to be a florist. Guiding those families through the maze of grief is such a hard thing to do. Feeling the loss of others is just a part of being a GOOD florist. Sometimes it is impossible to make the floral arrangements without tears springing to your eyes.Then you realize that a family out there is counting on you and you have a job to finish. They depend on you to make the best of a very bad situation, just a little easier to bear. And flowers are an expression of the love they have for their person. Flowers put a bright spot in an otherwise somber occasion. They remind all of the people gathered to say their final farewells that there will be better days ahead. So to all those designers out there, I say BRAVO and Thank You for bringing sunshine into a cloudy day.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Successful Valentine's Day - even on a Sunday!
To quote an old saying there seemed to be "much ado about nothing" when it came to the fact that Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday this year. So many old timers in the business were saying that according to their records, anytime Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday, there was MUCH less business out there. It seems they rationalized that Saturday night was date night and many people would just splurge there instead of opting for flowers. They advised to order less than our normal amount to prepare for the decrease in business. Well, folks I am here to tell you that in our area, at least, they were WRONG! Not only did business boom over the entire week before Valentine's Day, it INCREASED to the point where we were sold out on Friday night, and if you hadn't PRE ORDERED your bouquet, you were left out in the cold.
There was one segment of our normal Valentine's business that did decrease and that was our Amish trade. As we all know, the Amish do not conduct business of any sort on Sunday, so many Amish wives went flowerless for this holiday. Those lucky ladies whose husbands realized this and DID preorder were able to receive their bouquets on Saturday.
One nice thing about the holiday was that the orders seemed to be spread out over the entire week, so we were busy ALL week long with those who wanted their orders to go to the office. It was actually a nice break from the usual chaos of the one day holiday work.
That being said, we were still bone tired by the end of it all and just happy to be looking forward to getting back to "regular" business this week.
We saw many new faces in our shop which is a good sign that we are expanding our reach. I attribute this to our Facebook presence and our membership in Gap Area Small Business Association. In days gone by, we were used mostly by "friends" or family. A new wave of customers looking for different types of arrangements have come our way. Bigger, more lavish arrangements are what the customers want now. They don't mind paying a premium price for exquisite work - and our designers don't disappoint!
Well back to work now...after all - Easter is just around the corner!!
There was one segment of our normal Valentine's business that did decrease and that was our Amish trade. As we all know, the Amish do not conduct business of any sort on Sunday, so many Amish wives went flowerless for this holiday. Those lucky ladies whose husbands realized this and DID preorder were able to receive their bouquets on Saturday.
One nice thing about the holiday was that the orders seemed to be spread out over the entire week, so we were busy ALL week long with those who wanted their orders to go to the office. It was actually a nice break from the usual chaos of the one day holiday work.
That being said, we were still bone tired by the end of it all and just happy to be looking forward to getting back to "regular" business this week.
We saw many new faces in our shop which is a good sign that we are expanding our reach. I attribute this to our Facebook presence and our membership in Gap Area Small Business Association. In days gone by, we were used mostly by "friends" or family. A new wave of customers looking for different types of arrangements have come our way. Bigger, more lavish arrangements are what the customers want now. They don't mind paying a premium price for exquisite work - and our designers don't disappoint!
Well back to work now...after all - Easter is just around the corner!!
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