If you are new to Valentine's Day or fairly new you have to make sure you have all your jobs covered, but not overly covered. For example - the first time Val Day was on a Wednesday in our early years we were not prepared. It varies depending on your size, but for us we needed one person dedicated to the 2 phone lines and another dedicated to the counter. Another dedicated to the floor, overseeing design, cooler, flowers, new orders. Another dedicated to routing deliverers, overseeing everything and keeping everybody organized (that's always been me). That year we were completely understaffed and not prepared for a Wednesday Valentine's Day. We needed two people dedicated to the two phone lines, not just one. By the time I retrieved number 27 voicemail there were 4 more, Never ended and I am sure we lost a lot of orders. That was the first and last time I was ever understaffed for the phone or let voicemail pick up for Val Day. We needed two people dedicated to the counter, not just one. Even to this day no matter what day Val Day is on we have two people dedicated to the counter so people don't have to wait as long. A third helps periodically when the lobby gets backed up to six or more people.
Good organization and planning are key! I have one lady who just goes around and does all kinds of stuff, keeps boxes of roses made ahead as they sell, and single roses also. Processes credit cards for workers, keeps the front cooler looking presentable and restocked continuously, sweeps, empties the trash, walks across the street and gets us all cappuccino a couple times during the day [you know - the real important stuff
], etc. She is abused, but she doesn't mind, she likes doing all kinds of different things.
I have a young girl, the daughter of a good friend of ours who takes the day off of school and is my right arm all day. I have MS and am limited to running around so I make the office my domain and she runs for me. It all works great and we all have fun. In fact my sister who worked here with the original owner comes back every Val Day. She flies up from Florida (we're near Detroit) to work for us and makes a vacation of it.
Your sales people (phone and counter) are key to your gross sales, but whoever is in control of your cost of goods and hired help and overhead is key to gross profit. You can have a ton of sales, but it can all go away too quickly if not managed properly.
As for kids - we had a friend of mine since birth work for us for nine years and she brought her youngest son to work since he was two months old until he went to pre-school. That's when she started working for us actually. She wanted to be home in time for her middle son getting home from school and we always supported her in this. Even though I didn't want or have kids I fully believe in family and was 100% behind her not wanting to give her middle son those couple free hours after school unsupervised, those two hours are crucial for Jr. High age.
My sister who worked here first and was hired by the lady who actually started this shop had her kids come there after school (short walking distance with no main streets to cross). Four kids within a 2 1/2 year range including twins. Three were boys, but the girl took to flowers right away. She was making corsages like a pro at age 8. She is 36 years old now and worked for me for three years while studying to be a teacher. She moved to Florida a couple years ago to teach. Her twin brother used to come in the summer during summer vacation when he was in college and who knew? He was a great designer. Didn't need much help - a natural!
Another niece who was 8 yrs. old when my mom bought this shop is 34 now and has two boys and brings the youngest to work with her on the holidays.
Family and florists go hand in hand!!!
Good luck on Valentine's Day! The people here will have a ton of good advice for you for Val Day.
