Business: Valu Flor, Inc.
Location: Miami, Fl
Type of Business: Fresh Flower Importer
About me: Why don't we just start at the point of when I entered the flower business. The summer of '83 I asked a buddy of mine if he had any work for me at the local wholesale florist where he worked. It was to be a temporary job. Twenty-four years later here I am. I worked as a driver for a couple of years and worked my way into sales. This is where I learn the most about the flowers that we all use and sell every day. I moved on from there to manage at another local wholesaler for a while until I was offered a job in Miami.
I had always wanted to move to the South Florida and work in the flower import business. That was my dream after a few months working in flowers.
I started work with Sunburst Farms in '91. I learned how the business worked and moved into a new phase of my profession. When Dole bought the business, along with three other large importers there were alot of dupilcations of jobs and many of us in all four importers soon departed to other companies.
Since that time I have had the privilege to have worked with some of the best companies in the floral industry. In my travels I have meet some extrordinary people. One gentlemen I would like to mention is Bill Schodowski who told me about flowerchat. If you are reading this Bill. Thanks. Oh, by the way. Where is the twenty you owe me. I use to work with Bill, so it's ok to give him a little grief.
I now work for Valu Flor, Inc. A good friend of mine Randy Scarpa started this company four years ago. It has grown and been doing good. Randy brought me on board to help out as sales manager and run the office.
I would like to extend an invitation to everyone here to drop me a line and say hello. I am here to get involved with knowing everyone here and to help you anyway I can. I am here to answer any questions you might have about Miami importers or the industry in general.
Can't wait to hear from you.
Regards,
Mike McArthur
Location: Miami, Fl
Type of Business: Fresh Flower Importer
About me: Why don't we just start at the point of when I entered the flower business. The summer of '83 I asked a buddy of mine if he had any work for me at the local wholesale florist where he worked. It was to be a temporary job. Twenty-four years later here I am. I worked as a driver for a couple of years and worked my way into sales. This is where I learn the most about the flowers that we all use and sell every day. I moved on from there to manage at another local wholesaler for a while until I was offered a job in Miami.
I had always wanted to move to the South Florida and work in the flower import business. That was my dream after a few months working in flowers.
I started work with Sunburst Farms in '91. I learned how the business worked and moved into a new phase of my profession. When Dole bought the business, along with three other large importers there were alot of dupilcations of jobs and many of us in all four importers soon departed to other companies.
Since that time I have had the privilege to have worked with some of the best companies in the floral industry. In my travels I have meet some extrordinary people. One gentlemen I would like to mention is Bill Schodowski who told me about flowerchat. If you are reading this Bill. Thanks. Oh, by the way. Where is the twenty you owe me. I use to work with Bill, so it's ok to give him a little grief.
I now work for Valu Flor, Inc. A good friend of mine Randy Scarpa started this company four years ago. It has grown and been doing good. Randy brought me on board to help out as sales manager and run the office.
I would like to extend an invitation to everyone here to drop me a line and say hello. I am here to get involved with knowing everyone here and to help you anyway I can. I am here to answer any questions you might have about Miami importers or the industry in general.
Can't wait to hear from you.
Regards,
Mike McArthur
