Here are the results of my poll on age and years in flower business followed by some reflections from the past.
AGE NOW
20-34 13%
35-44 25%
45-49 17%
50-54 17%
55-64 23%
65-74 3%
75-up 2% there are 3 of us
FLORIST FOR . . .
0-05 Yrs 12%
6-10 12%
11-20 15%
21-30 20%
31-40 15%
41-50 3%
over 51 2% there are 2 of us
It looks like I and one other forgot to get off the bus. It has been quite a journey so far, some smooth sailing, some rocky roads.
56 years ago this month I finished business college and started in the family business. But it really started for me at:
Age 7: Sold my first John Baer Tomato plants
Preteen: Unfolded newsprint for wrapping pot plants
Sorted flower pots from under bench in sales greenhouse
Washed and repainted plant labels
Dis-budded and "tied" pot mums
Transplanted seedlings, earned 5 cents per flat.
Teenager: Filled soil bin, each shovel full was handled 5 times between the field and the potting bench.
Hauled manure from neighbor's heifer pens
Took clinkers from boiler pit and spread on driveways
Cleaned boiler flews and hosed down boiler room every Saturday
Hosed down the "head house"
Painted inside of one ghse every summer [hot job]
In my 20s: Developed the first self selection [serve] garden plant operation in the industry [according to Geo J. Ball]. From this beginning evolved the industry "market pak", a growing/selling container. The father of today's plastic flats/inserts. Bachman's [Minneapolis] copied our system.
Opened a garden center as they evolved from the hardware stores
Converted a ghse to a gift shop, shopped the California Gift show, introduced the "Ricky Ticky Stickies" to midwest. Anyone remember those?
In my 30s: Reopened flower shop that was closed during WWII
In my 40s: Bulldozed one acre of greenhouses/ service buildings and 3 residences.
Built/leased a supermarket
Designed and build 2 level 45,000 sq ft enclosed mall for specialty retail: flower shop, garden shop, 9 boutique gift shops, all Fairview's; and leased out space for restaurant, barber, beauty salon, womens clothing, mens clothing, cosmetic/jewelry, toy stores.
Opened Oct '70, one month into the longest strike [3 mos] in automotive/labor history. Had to sell the mall less than one year later. Lost a dream and a bundle.
2006 Moved my business from property where I was born, leaving the 12th landlord we had in 22 years [not a nice landlord] after I sold the mall.
April 2008 General Motors announced plant closing in 2 years, Dec 2010, but that was moved up to last Dec 23, 2008, 8 months later. This was the oldest factory of GMs and at one time was the largest. GM bought it from the Sampson Tractor Co. City now almost 10% unemployed and that does not count those who were in the Job Bank.
When am I going to retire? Store is 2 doors from the largest funeral home, when I need their services, I think I will retire.
Yes, I have encountered a few mountains. BUT ..
IF MOUNTAINS WERE SMOOTH, WE COULD NOT CLIMB THEM.
AGE NOW
20-34 13%
35-44 25%
45-49 17%
50-54 17%
55-64 23%
65-74 3%
75-up 2% there are 3 of us
FLORIST FOR . . .
0-05 Yrs 12%
6-10 12%
11-20 15%
21-30 20%
31-40 15%
41-50 3%
over 51 2% there are 2 of us
It looks like I and one other forgot to get off the bus. It has been quite a journey so far, some smooth sailing, some rocky roads.
56 years ago this month I finished business college and started in the family business. But it really started for me at:
Age 7: Sold my first John Baer Tomato plants
Preteen: Unfolded newsprint for wrapping pot plants
Sorted flower pots from under bench in sales greenhouse
Washed and repainted plant labels
Dis-budded and "tied" pot mums
Transplanted seedlings, earned 5 cents per flat.
Teenager: Filled soil bin, each shovel full was handled 5 times between the field and the potting bench.
Hauled manure from neighbor's heifer pens
Took clinkers from boiler pit and spread on driveways
Cleaned boiler flews and hosed down boiler room every Saturday
Hosed down the "head house"
Painted inside of one ghse every summer [hot job]
In my 20s: Developed the first self selection [serve] garden plant operation in the industry [according to Geo J. Ball]. From this beginning evolved the industry "market pak", a growing/selling container. The father of today's plastic flats/inserts. Bachman's [Minneapolis] copied our system.
Opened a garden center as they evolved from the hardware stores
Converted a ghse to a gift shop, shopped the California Gift show, introduced the "Ricky Ticky Stickies" to midwest. Anyone remember those?
In my 30s: Reopened flower shop that was closed during WWII
In my 40s: Bulldozed one acre of greenhouses/ service buildings and 3 residences.
Built/leased a supermarket
Designed and build 2 level 45,000 sq ft enclosed mall for specialty retail: flower shop, garden shop, 9 boutique gift shops, all Fairview's; and leased out space for restaurant, barber, beauty salon, womens clothing, mens clothing, cosmetic/jewelry, toy stores.
Opened Oct '70, one month into the longest strike [3 mos] in automotive/labor history. Had to sell the mall less than one year later. Lost a dream and a bundle.
2006 Moved my business from property where I was born, leaving the 12th landlord we had in 22 years [not a nice landlord] after I sold the mall.
April 2008 General Motors announced plant closing in 2 years, Dec 2010, but that was moved up to last Dec 23, 2008, 8 months later. This was the oldest factory of GMs and at one time was the largest. GM bought it from the Sampson Tractor Co. City now almost 10% unemployed and that does not count those who were in the Job Bank.
When am I going to retire? Store is 2 doors from the largest funeral home, when I need their services, I think I will retire.
Yes, I have encountered a few mountains. BUT ..
IF MOUNTAINS WERE SMOOTH, WE COULD NOT CLIMB THEM.
