We are The Master's Flowers. We are located in the Broken Arrow/Tulsa Metro area. We are 2 years old as a store, but my wife has over 35 years floral experience, growing up in her aunt's flower shop in the panhandle of Oklahoma. She is an Oklahoma Master Florist and Oklahoma Advanced Master Florist. My background was in the printing industry. Our shop is located in Northeast Oaklahoma on the border between the cities of Tulsa and Broken Arrow, the 2nd largest metropolition area in the state.
New Member From Oklahoma
- Thread starter terryhmason
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New Member in Oaklahoma Reply
I'm pretty much out of the industry now. I might occasionally do a buyout printing order for one of my associates. I finally got out of printing about 4 years ago. I worked at 3M company as a service tech on copiers starting in 1969. 3M introduced a copier that would make electrostatic plates around 1972 and that was my first encounter with the printing industry. Around 1976 I started working on the 3M Camera Platemaker that made mylar based plates for quick printing. Around 1980 I left 3M and got intoa quick print shop with a partner. That was short-lived. We didn't have enough money so I ended up selling Graphic Arts supplies. Then I met an elderly small commercial shop owner that was looking for someone to work for him and eventually buy him out. I took the bait. Worked for several years, doubled the size of the shop then we struck a deal. We were doing good so I invested in some new equipment and a computer system, then the 1990 recession hit. I had bought the place in a leveraged buyout. When the business hit the down turn. I didn't have any cash available and missed a payment. He stepped back in and reposessed the place. I sold printing a while, moved from California to Arkansas, went back into servicing copiers, Then got hired at a vocational school to teach basic electronics and copier repair. Moved to Oklahoma and went to work for a direct mail printer as an estimator. The company got sold a couple of times, then they downsized and eliminated my job. I went to work with my wife in a cleaning business, then 2 years ago we started the flower shop.
I'm pretty much out of the industry now. I might occasionally do a buyout printing order for one of my associates. I finally got out of printing about 4 years ago. I worked at 3M company as a service tech on copiers starting in 1969. 3M introduced a copier that would make electrostatic plates around 1972 and that was my first encounter with the printing industry. Around 1976 I started working on the 3M Camera Platemaker that made mylar based plates for quick printing. Around 1980 I left 3M and got intoa quick print shop with a partner. That was short-lived. We didn't have enough money so I ended up selling Graphic Arts supplies. Then I met an elderly small commercial shop owner that was looking for someone to work for him and eventually buy him out. I took the bait. Worked for several years, doubled the size of the shop then we struck a deal. We were doing good so I invested in some new equipment and a computer system, then the 1990 recession hit. I had bought the place in a leveraged buyout. When the business hit the down turn. I didn't have any cash available and missed a payment. He stepped back in and reposessed the place. I sold printing a while, moved from California to Arkansas, went back into servicing copiers, Then got hired at a vocational school to teach basic electronics and copier repair. Moved to Oklahoma and went to work for a direct mail printer as an estimator. The company got sold a couple of times, then they downsized and eliminated my job. I went to work with my wife in a cleaning business, then 2 years ago we started the flower shop.
So has your wife worked as a florist before, or is this something you 2 were interested in and finally took the plunge?
My wife grew up in Guymon, Oklahoma. Her Aunt had a flower shop and her mother was the manager. She always wanted to be a florist growing up. However, she didn't want to work for her aunt or mother, so she went to the competetor and they hired her on the spot. She stayed in Guymon for a while got married then movet to Amarallo, Texas worked then managed Ray's Flowers. Moved to Chicago for a while, work in the industry there, then aroud 25 or so years ago ended up in Tulsa with 3 kids. She knew that trying to be a mom to 3 kids and being a florist didn't mix very well because of the time demands, so she started a cleaning business for income and kept her hand in the flower business by doing weddings and decorating.
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
Hey, I have relatives in Broken BOW, OK. You guys should "get together" (that's a little joke)
I say you're in.
I say you're in.
thebloomcloset
Well-Known Member
welcome
hey neighbor... i'm in muskogee OK... i'm an OMF myself. done about half of the advanced program. i am currently on the TF board. i've been in the family business for over 35 years. grew up in it... mom started the shop in 70.. she semi retired and i bought the shop. i still love it... are you in any wire service??? do you service the tulsa area???? maybe we'll meet up at the OSFA convention this year. i plan on attending.
hey neighbor... i'm in muskogee OK... i'm an OMF myself. done about half of the advanced program. i am currently on the TF board. i've been in the family business for over 35 years. grew up in it... mom started the shop in 70.. she semi retired and i bought the shop. i still love it... are you in any wire service??? do you service the tulsa area???? maybe we'll meet up at the OSFA convention this year. i plan on attending.
Tammy
Active Member
Welcome to flowerchat! It's a nice place to hang out, good people, always something interesting being talked about.
MANORVILLE
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- Oct 2, 2006
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Hi, I'm Terry. Glenda and I own the shop. We are Teleflora, FTD, Bloomlink & Flower Shop Network. I think that we have used you when we send to Muskogee. I think that we have met you. We are right on the line of Tulsa and Broken Arrow at 71st & Garnett. We are 2 blocks from Hwy 169. That gives us easy access to the highways that cross Tulsa. We cover Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Catoosa & Coweta. Maybe we will see you at convention. We are only 2 blocks from the Renaissance Hotel.
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