Shannon,
Never owned one, worked in several, have over the years advised and counseled dozens on day to day operations. I have been in the flower industry for more than 3 decades, managed a large wholesale company with 3 branches (total of 60,000 sq ft) have managed an import/ distribution flower facility in Miami, and now oversee a franchise chain of over 40 retail flower shops and a busy floral call center.
If you require a more detailed resume please submit a request in writing.
Shannon, on a last note, I won't ask for your resume or credentials as I don't believe it is a requirement to post on this board.
Wow Doug, the last 2 comments were quite immature for you. I guess you took my question personally. I really did just want to know if you had ever worked in an actual flower shop situation since I saw the name of the business you list seems to be some sort of wholesaler.
I too have been in the business for just about 3 decades and mostly in a regular mom and pop flower shop situation.
Another reason I asked is because I think it's very easy to assume that florists are whiners with the "Woe is me and the big bad WS."
With that said- The WS changed the rules on the mom and pop several times through the course over the last 16 years. Give or take a year. They do directly compete against mom and pop shops. Not only to the new shops who are being bought by unsuspecting, ill informed and foolish "I-think-it-would-be-fun-and-easy-to-own-a-flower-shop" people but also the old timers who have subscribed to their 'service' long before they changed the game.
I can so remember back in the late 80's and 90's the biggest complaint amongst florists at any given round table was "I can't believe they are letting grocery stores in!" Oh the horror.
These shops had no clue how huge the internet would be and how important the internet would be to the success or demise of their shops. How could they? Good grief! Most of them never even touched a computer!
Another thing you may or may not know is how these wire service reps kind of-sort of confuse the unsuspecting (and all too trusting) mom and pop shop owner.
For instance.....Bettina, my former boss who I think was the absolute worst flower shop owner I have ever seen in my life was so unbelieveably clueless, she did every single little thing her TF salespeople and reps told her she "had" to do. She ordered every holiday container because she was told she "had to have them" She got the "Dove" system because she was told that not only did she HAVE to have it, but also that if she didn't she would be breaking the law! I mean, the list goes on and on.
I admire the fact that you have extensive knowledgement and experience in the floral industry. You sound like you are a savvy person.
I am a savvy person- For the most part.
But so many flower shop owners are not. They wise up, but by the time they do they feel as if they have been duped by the very "partner" who claimed to be able to help grow their business.
It wasn't 3 years ago I was having a discussion with a flower shop owner in NW NM. I was trying to explain the evils of OG's- Just Flowers and Blooms Today to be exact. This lady is in her late 60's maybe early 70's and has owned at least 2 successful flower shops in 2 different cities that I know of. Anyway, as I was making my case about how these are the people she should be worrying about and not so much the "crappy flower shop in town" She looked me straight in the face and told me how she doesn't care if she doesn't make money on these orders because it's advertising for her and once people see her flowers they will never use JF or BT!"
Yeah...okey dokey......What was the point in debating, she had her mind made up. And BTW- we are friends.
So fast forward to this years state convention, and she was telling everybody who would listen to her about how horrid these companies and the like are (in her mind). Hummmm. Well whaddya know.
The point is sometimes people have to touch the stove to know it's hot.
The W/S did deceive shops. They did. They directly compete against their shops they have "partnered" with. They do. And they did it in such a sneaky way.
I honestly think that all the WS would truly need to do is kick out OG's period. Kick them out and promote the B&M. Stop directly competing with B&M's and all will be good again.
If drop shippers want to drop ship frozen boxes of flowers- fine. Or even great boxes of flowers- so be it. But the deceptive practices need to stop.
What does Dr. Phil say..."Don't pee on me and tell me it's raining."
