Hollyhocks Intro

[Hollyhocks]

www.hollyhocksfloralwheaton.com
I have been in business on the retail level for one year. I have no formal floral education as do none of my employees. I found FlowerChat through a blog. I hope to gain more insight on the flower industry and figure out why we are working for wire service companies. I don't know what I can contribute until I see what type of correspondence is taking place. I operate from a commercial building.

 

[duanermb]

www.hollyhocksfloralwheaton.com
I have been in business on the retail level for one year. I have no formal floral education as do none of my employees. I found FlowerChat through a blog. I hope to gain more insight on the flower industry and figure out why we are working for wire service companies. I don't know what I can contribute until I see what type of correspondence is taking place. I operate from a commercial building.

Great intro! Welcome, and I love your website.

 

[Flowerchatter03]

Hello and welcome.. I am intrigued by your post. If neither you nor your staff have any floral education or training, who does the design work?

Also, could you elaborate about your comment regarding the wire services? Do you have the big three or just one or two?

You currently have an 800flowers website with wording in the 'about us' section from a TF template. Are you considering changing your website to a non wire service? If so, Strider (who owns flowerchat) makes some great sites!

Are you currently photographing any of your work to someday load the photos on a website?

Looking forward to reading your reply! Lots of great people and good advise here!

 

[wildflowerschicago]

Hi and welcome!! I am looking forward to getting to know you better. My big question is...what possessed you to get into this business(especially within the last 2 years)? I hope it wasn't the promise of fame and fortune, just kidding!!!

 

[Rhonda]

Welcome, I too am intrigued by the statement that no one in your shop has design experience. Your Bloomnet site is nice but ...
Read much ~ post often

 

[Hollyhocks]

I love this! It is so nice to talk to other florists. Believe me, it's not the first time I've been told "are you crazy?" for opening a new business. I do this because I love what I do, period. I did dried and silk work for 10 years, out of my home, at a wholesale level for furniture stores in the Chicagoland area and took a part time job at a local retail florist and learned fresh. As far as designing, I think you either "have it" or you don't...you're creative or your not. Thanks for the info about the website. I do plan on getting my own website and yes, I am keeping an album of my own work. I am still trying to figure out these wire service companies though. Why are we not all calling each other directly instead of wiring out? I do have all three of the "big ones" which is only serving a purpose when it really busy (I think..it's mind boggeling, really) I have started calling florists directly for outgoing orders and just using my company credit card. Am I missing something? I appreciate your comments and questions! This is so cool!!

 

[Rhonda]

your first move may be to remove at least two of the wire services. Read here in the archives under Wire Services how to cull the herd by finding which one is working the best for you.
There is nothing wrong with using a credit card and speaking directly to the shop that will be filling your orders but again, sometimes a web search before calling may help decide whether that shop can appropriately fill the order. I call direct to shops I've done repeat business with for years.
By showing "your work" on your website, gives a sender an idea of what type of work you do.

 

[Hollyhocks]

We all have experience in designing..just not formal training. I think the question I was to answer asked about formal training. I apologize if I misread that. Looking forward to hearing your comments.

 

[hollyflr]

Welcome to Flowerchat! Our shops share a similar name. I started my business from scratch with little design experience but some formal design education nine years ago. I have found Flowerchat to be invaluable, both from an informational standpoint and as an outlet to the isolation I was feeling. It has given me access to new products I may not have found or tried on my own, and new ways of trying things that will benefit my shop.

I had both FTD and Teleflora in the beginning, but am wire service free now. Every time I say that I feel like I am in an AA meeting. I call out all my orders using mapquest to find a close florist, I then screen by telephone to make sure that they can handle my order. I have had no problems except one (a lost order) in the last three years.

If you would like to PM me I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about why I gave up the wire services.

Susan

 

[Hollyhocks]

That is so awesome!!! You made me laugh so hard!!

 

[Flowerchatter03]

Welcome to Flowerchat! Our shops share a similar name. I started my business from scratch with little design experience but some formal design education nine years ago. I have found Flowerchat to be invaluable, both from an informational standpoint and as an outlet to the isolation I was feeling. It has given me access to new products I may not have found or tried on my own, and new ways of trying things that will benefit my shop.

I had both FTD and Teleflora in the beginning, but am wire service free now. Every time I say that I feel like I am in an AA meeting. I call out all my orders using mapquest to find a close florist, I then screen by telephone to make sure that they can handle my order. I have had no problems except one (a lost order) in the last three years.

If you would like to PM me I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about why I gave up the wire services.

Susan

"My name is Susan and I'm wire service free"
"Hi Susan"
"It's been 300 days since my last wire out...." LOL You're to funny! :blowkiss:

 

[concord]

That is very funny.