There’s a lot of pessimism circulating about the future of floristry. The Department of Labor reported that there were 62,400 florists in 2012 and predicted that their ranks would decrease by 8 percent in 10 years. The DOL attributes this drop to consumers’ shifting buying habits, foregoing formal designs for grab and go bunches at […]
Floristry’s Future Superstars Read More »
We’re just a few weeks away from one of the industry’s biggest events, the 131st annual convention of the Society of American Florists. Held at the Ritz Carlton on beautiful Amelia Island, Florida, the convention will assemble hundreds of floral leaders for three days packed with educational sessions presented by 48 experts. Two of those
Florist 2.0 at SAF Amelia Island 2015 Read More »
In this week’s blog post, we caught up with Hitomi Gilliam, AIFD, of Design 358 in Vancouver, British Columbia, who recently conducted a European Master Certification program in Atlanta with partner Tomas de Bruyne. Titled “Intimate to Ultimate,” the event focused on weddings.
Hitomi Gilliam, AIFD, Talks European Design Read More »
Are gerberas among your staple flowers? If so, you have an opportunity to make a big difference in lives of Guatemalan children. Let us introduce you to Gerbs of Hope, a foundation started by the Fratti family, owners of Verdifratti Farms in Guatemala. To raise funds to provide children with nutrition and medical care, the
Feed Two Kids With One Box of Gerberas Read More »
Happy August, everyone! Here in Florida, the month is practically synonymous with thunderstorms. Although traditionally our rainiest month of the year, August 2015 seems to truly be one for the record books. Tampa, for instance, typically gets 5-9 inches each August. As of today (August 6), the city’s already had 7.8. In the past two
Is Your Shop Ready for a Natural Disaster? Read More »
About a week ago, the owner of a diner in Maine demonstrated some of the worst customer service conceivable. Perhaps you saw the story, which went viral on social media and many national newspapers, including The Washington Post. In summary: a family walks into a crowded diner on a Saturday morning. Their toddler daughter, stressed
A Tale of Two Tantrums Read More »
You may purchase top quality flowers and employ creative designers with prestigious accreditation, but if your sales staff lacks confidence, ambition or tact, your business will never meet its potential. Training, an invaluable exercise for every employee, improves these shortfalls — to a point. Some people simply aren’t cut out for certain roles, says Mitch
How to Land Top Sales Talent in Your Shop Read More »
Most children embrace summer vacation as a time to be lazy. Not Claire and Bridget Geary. On Friday, June 26, the girls went to work with their mom, Jen, owner of Sterling Rose Design in Avon Lake, Ohio, to shock and awe some locals with the joy of flowers. Across the country, hundreds of florists
A Thrilling Surprise Read More »
It’s been nearly a decade since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. In that time, two enterprising women turned a community building activity into a national franchise. Perhaps you’ve heard of Painting With a Twist®. The business, which pairs instructional art with friends and spirits, has more than 220 locations in 30 states. Earlier this year,
Learning + Libations = Business Success Read More »
If you want to be known as a florist who’s chic, creative and cutting edge, you need to be educated on the latest trends. That means tuning into the fashion world, synthesizing what you see and applying it to your designs. That can be a lot of work. Fortunately, there are a few experts in
Go to Market with J Schwanke Read More »
This week, all eyes have been on Charleston, S.C., the latest site of senseless carnage. The murders of nine people at a bible study at Mother Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church has stirred up many emotions — sadness, fear, anger, disgust — not to mention a fierce debate about South Carolina’s legacy with slavery, secession and the
Last week, Jacob McCall, AIFD, competed against 25 of the world’s top florists in Berlin for the Fleurop-Interflora World Cup, the industry’s preeminent design competition held every four to six years. (Consider it the floral Olympics.) Participation in World Cup is by invitation only and competitors must have already been successful in competitions or shows
Mr. McCall Goes to Berlin Read More »
