Banker Turned Florist

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PosieFor20

PosieFor20

New Member
Feb 29, 2008
19
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0
Mifflinburg
www.barbsbouquet.com
State / Prov
PA
Business: Barb's Bouquet & Gift Basket

Location: Mifflinburg, PA

Type of Business: Retail Florist

About Me: Hi, my name is Barb Yost, and I am the owner of Barb's Bouquet & Gift Basket. In 2004, I was desperately seeking a career change, and after 19 years of being a banker (Branch Manager for the last 8 years), and having had all the company imposed stress, angry customers, and confinements of working for a large commercial bank, I had to get away from it all. I quit my good paying job, and starting looking for something else I could do, and maybe something that would be entirely mine. I have always been a very creative person, with a college degree majoring in Business Management, and a minor in Art. I have been good with drawing, painting and mixed media art, but as a banker, I had never been able to create and use my artistic talents. I started to look into purchasing an existing business, and after several months of looking for the right business fit, I discovered an existing flower shop that was for sale in the town just up the road. This flower shop had been in business for 30 years under 2 seperate owners, the second of which had owned it for 4 years, and frankly let the business run down hill. This seemed like what I had been looking to do, and I took the plunge in December 2004 and bought myself a flower shop! I was able to work with the outgoing florist to learn the ropes.....(more)
 
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I enrolled in the Basic Floral Design Class with the Floral Design Institute, Portland, OR, and took some Advanced Design classes at my local wholesaler, and here I am 3 1/2 years, an experienced florist, being creative, and LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!!!
 
Yeah for you. Welcome to flower chat. Just joined myself and the people here are very nice to chat with.
 
Thanks for the cudos. I learned about this chat site in Florist Review Magazine this month when one of the florists answering the question about using technology to help their business mentioned it. Thought I would try it out. I'm always looking for new ideas and ways to grow my business.
 
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PosieFor20 said:
I learned about this chat site in Florist Review Magazine this month when one of the florists answering the question about using technology to help their business mentioned it.
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I think that was Ryan / Infinite - our fab host here.

Welcome to flowerchat - you'll soon find it an invaluable resource of the best and brightest florists. Business Management - that's a real plus in this biz! Too many enter into flroistry thinking it's just playing with flowers ... I'm sure that degree, and the knowledge you have because of it is very very beneficial.

welcome again!
:)
tracy
 
Welcome to this great place. I'm sure you will learn from us and we will definitely learn from you. :)

V
 
from banker to florist is an amazing transition!!
REALLY, REALLY..did you want to get away from "stress"????...REALLY??:thumbsup
 
Welcome Barb.. Visit often and share lots.

Twila
 
Mikey the Flower Guy said:
from banker to florist is an amazing transition!!
REALLY, REALLY..did you want to get away from "stress"????...REALLY??:thumbsup
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I know, it sounds crazy, but I think I was missing my calling during my years as a banker. And I know, I didn't escape the stress, but you have to admit that arranging flowers can be theroputic and relaxing. Stress in banking is way different than stress in the flower shop. And now, since I am the business owner, I can control the final results and not have other people coming down on me to "do this or do that". I just know I can usually smile and forget about the bad things that happened during the day when I get home now. I didn't used to be able to say that in my past life as a banker.

After all, we are in the business of SMILES, not, "Here's another service fee or yes, savings rates are going down again and loan rates are up." I enjoy the smiles on peoples faces when they receive flowers, and that always makes me feel good about what I do, and I can sleep at night.
 
PosieFor20 said:
I know, it sounds crazy, but I think I was missing my calling during my years as a banker. And I know, I didn't escape the stress, but you have to admit that arranging flowers can be theroputic and relaxing. Stress in banking is way different than stress in the flower shop. And now, since I am the business owner, I can control the final results and not have other people coming down on me to "do this or do that". I just know I can usually smile and forget about the bad things that happened during the day when I get home now. I didn't used to be able to say that in my past life as a banker.

After all, we are in the business of SMILES, not, "Here's another service fee or yes, savings rates are going down again and loan rates are up." I enjoy the smiles on peoples faces when they receive flowers, and that always makes me feel good about what I do, and I can sleep at night.
Click to expand...

Being in a career that you choose, particularly one you own, gives a different demension to the stress. You can live with it and sleep at night. :)

V
 
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