Should this board be open to Home Based businesses?

[greatflowerlady]

Dear Flower chat members, I Tracy would like to apologized for the way I made statement on this board. I see that it has caused an on going debate and the true at hand issues you are here for are not being meant. I really truly did not know what kind of board this is.I subscribe to J-Schwanke J-tv and he talks about you! I thought I would ck it out. I believe you all are talented people with a God given talent. I Also love flowers, NOT knowing that how I make a living would make a difference on this board. Also being catty about things is the way I defend myself! I really am a warm hearted women and I don't want to make a lot of people P---( I know I rubbed most the wrong way) again sorry for the way I behaved and I have learned from you a better way to conduct myself. Have a wonderful profitable day.~Tracy:kuddle:

 

[Rhonda]

Thank you Tracy and if you are sincere, I believe lots of us would like a little disclosure. Most all of us have listed our legal business names and our locations. Some of it for information, some for referrals (we know how our online friends think), and mostly just to be sincere.
Again, thank you.

 

[lori042499]

I, too, appreciate your apology. I do hope it is sincere, also.

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Dear Flower chat members, I Tracy would like to apologized for the way I made statement on this board. I see that it has caused an on going debate and the true at hand issues you are here for are not being meant. I really truly did not know what kind of board this is.I subscribe to J-Schwanke J-tv and he talks about you! I thought I would ck it out. I believe you all are talented people with a God given talent. I Also love flowers, NOT knowing that how I make a living would make a difference on this board. Also being catty about things is the way I defend myself! I really am a warm hearted women and I don't want to make a lot of people P---( I know I rubbed most the wrong way) again sorry for the way I behaved and I have learned from you a better way to conduct myself. Have a wonderful profitable day.~Tracy:kuddle:

Tracy, as remarkable as your apology IS, and much appreciated, please change your registration info, and be honest...that's ALL we ask for!!
It's takes a good person to realize his/her inadequacies, it takes a GREAT person to resolve them in full view...you are half way there!!

 

[flowerperson]

The Flower Industry is about business. And the goal of Business is Profitability

Why is Brick and Mortar the ultinmate goal?

There are many "Freelancers" who work out of Studios (in the home or loft) equal and excell many "B&M" experience and qualifications and have made the business choice to work "studio' style- Defining their specialty niche, customer and controling costs and running a profitable business

Do we need to start showing our P & l statements?

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

The Flower Industry is about business. And the goal of Business is Profitability

Why is Brick and Mortar the ultimate goal?

There are many "Freelancers" who work out of Studios (in the home or loft) equal and excel many "B&M" experience and qualifications and have made the business choice to work "studio' style- Defining their specialty niche, customer and controlling costs and running a profitable business

Do we need to start showing our P & l statements?

the answer is NO......

we ALL have a serious stake in the advancement of our industry, and we have become very wary of those that have a vested interest ONLY in themselves!!
Specialty marketing is NOT limited to B&M stores...we ALL know that, HOWEVER, the true realm is that many NON FLORIST types have "invaded" our industry, and in SOME CASES (!!!!!!) degraded the value to the consumer, of the products that WE cherish, AND rely on to make our livings!!
I would not second guess this, BUT, those that use the florist industry, as their spending money vocation, as opposed to true full time florists, making their living from what we do best, is the real issue!!

 

[flowerperson]

Every industry has their "Basement Betty's" and Big box

Have to concntrate on YOUR business and be dynamic and proactive about marketing, retaining customers, cost control etc - constantly out manuvering Big box as well as Basement Betty

The amount of time whining about the outsiders taking away business and wire services etc- should be spent on brainstorming for your unique business and how to get customers in your neighborhood

 

[bloomz]

Uh huh. That's kinda been my attitude for a long time since I'm well aware that local competitors and wholesalers may very well be reading these posts.

The questions posed do seem to have become more and more "basic" lately. I've viewed that as a confirmation of my beliefs that this industry has been taken over largely by people who shouldn't even be in business. But maybe it's at least partially an indication that newbies and wannabees are taking advantage of what little "meat and potatoes" information remains on this board to figure out how to get into this business. But if they're depending on what is on this board to tell them how to successfully get into this business, I'd still say they shouldn't even be in business. They're just a disaster that's looking for a place to happen.

My point is that questions of the newbies that are popping up on this board are all the proof that I need that they're no threat at all. They're not going to learn enough here to save them from themselves.

Good reasoning with your present and my prior circumstances but not a rationale for allowing it to continue. I've been for a while more comfortable knowing that my local competitor, nice person tho she is, is no longer a florist (moved on to another profession she is way happier in...hmmmm...) and that tips I may choose to share won't be used locally in my market area.

But Mikey nailed it just above about degrading the value of the industry we love, and many (not all) bb types do exactly that IMNSHO.

The vote clearly shows it to be a matter of concern to the majority here.

Part of the allure/draw/whateveryoucallit of flowerchat was the fact that is was not wide open and part of what ruined floristboard was that it was too open.

I have faith it's going to work itself out shortly - having to be recommended by a tenured member sounds like a good possible solution.

Full time would be another good criteria.

How about REAL FLORISTS and their necessary support networks? (John Henry, etc) With criteria for both determined by a majority here?

just trying to work for a solution to a dilemma.

Every industry has their "Basement Betty's" and Big box

Have to concntrate on YOUR business and be dynamic and proactive about marketing, retaining customers, cost control etc - constantly out manuvering Big box as well as Basement Betty

The amount of time whining about the outsiders taking away business and wire services etc- should be spent on brainstorming for your unique business and how to get customers in your neighborhood

This is brainstorming on how to protect our industry segment, not whining. Sharing about marketing, retaining customers, cost controls etc is not stuff I want to share with BB's and BB's.

I'm pleased to be a tenured member of the MAS group and we share among ourselves some really good stuff and techniques (secrets, yes) that I would not particularly want to be available to anyone who pops in. And it isn't.

 

[mb0509]

I think "whining" is a strong term; people are concerned with who has access to their business information and marketing plans. The members of this board share freely with others and have personally benefited so much from being a member here. Passion and self preservation should not be labeled as petty whining.

 

[lori042499]

The Flower Industry is about business. And the goal of Business is Profitability

Why is Brick and Mortar the ultinmate goal?

There are many "Freelancers" who work out of Studios (in the home or loft) equal and excell many "B&M" experience and qualifications and have made the business choice to work "studio' style- Defining their specialty niche, customer and controling costs and running a profitable business

Do we need to start showing our P & l statements?

This has already been established...the general concensus is that there are definite reasons and very legitimate businesses run out of homes. They pride themselves on taking classes and working full time...Then there are businesses that are run from home that do weddings here and there, vut are not very serious about it. This is not a business, this is a hobby..This takes business away from a real business person...They are not worried about all of these items, they price things very differently...thet are quite ok with coming away from a wedding with a few bucks in their pocket. What we need to do is what we have been doing talking about our businesses, debating about the items we are passionate about, and cunducting ourselves as the professionals we were prior to all of this...This should not change anything....The hobbiest will still be hobbiests no matter what we say on here. They are not going to all of a sudden want to turn their 2 weddings every other month into something more. They will not extract any info that will turn their businesses into anything more than it is....

 

[hcflorist]

Specialty marketing is NOT limited to B&M stores...we ALL know that, HOWEVER, the true realm is that many NON FLORIST types have "invaded" our industry, and in SOME CASES (!!!!!!) degraded the value to the consumer, of the products that WE cherish, AND rely on to make our livings!!

True. But I doubt if the non-florist types have degraded the industry nearly as much as so many B&M types that represent the face of the industry who shouldn't even be in business. Nor have they done as much damage as FTD and the brand which used to represent the entire industry but now chooses to be seen as an overpiced internet drop-ship marketer of junk represented as today's florist industry product line.

I would not second guess this, BUT, those that use the florist industry, as their spending money vocation, as opposed to true full time florists, making their living from what we do best, is the real issue!!

Nope. I disagree. They're very nearly a non-issue. If they're taking real customers from you, you're not doing something right.

They are a convenient diversion from the REAL issues that are threatening to destroy our industry. And don't think for a minute that those who would take our way of living away from us don't take advantage of every opportunity to use them as a blown out of proportion diversion and keep attention off of themselves. As I suspect they've done on this very thread.

They certainly give those who would take advantage of a diversion a means to keep us fighting among ourselves while they are eating our lunches and our industry.

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

True. But I doubt if the non-florist types have degraded the industry nearly as much as so many B&M types that represent the face of the industry who shouldn't even be in business. Nor have they done as much damage as FTD and the brand which used to represent the entire industry but now chooses to be seen as an overpiced internet drop-ship marketer of junk represented as today's florist industry product line.




Nope. I disagree. They're very nearly a non-issue. If they're taking real customers from you, you're not doing something right.

They are a convenient diversion from the REAL issues that are threatening to destroy our industry. And don't think for a minute that those who would take our way of living away from us don't take advantage of every opportunity to use them as a blown out of proportion diversion and keep attention off of themselves. As I suspect they've done on this very thread.

They certainly give those who would take advantage of a diversion a means to keep us fighting among ourselves while they are eating our lunches and our industry.

IF you read what I had posted, you would realize that you and I are saying the same thing!!
You DON'T have to "suspect" anything.....every great board has "attempted" hijackings from time to time, AND, every single emotional "outburst" is NOT always a "diversion"!!

 

[greatflowerlady]

Dear flower Chat.
I just wanted to say thank you for all the nice PM you sent to me! I just wanted to make a quick statement about myself. I am almost 42 years young and I have been working(some say playing) with flowers half my life, working in a high end flowers shop for 6 of those years. I have to say I owe my life to flowers. Back in the early 90's divorcées 2 small children and a morgage I really worked to build myself up and get a good rep. I spent countless night way into the morning standing making arrangement for weddings and events.
I never once hated it. It was my solitude, therapy it saved my sole.I owe a lot to the people,(MY wholesaler) who I still by from today! who believed in me and made sure I was going to be reputable.(cking me out to see if I had the equipment I needed)
Flowers saved me put food in the frig, and paid my morgage. I owe so much to the wonderful Biz. and today my business comes form years of making brides happy, and people telling others about myself. To all of you in The professional field You have a wonderful beautiful place to go may it always bring you the hope and happiness it does me. MY wish for you all. Again thanks for the pm's~Tracy

 

[Eric S]

My point is that questions of the newbies that are popping up on this board are all the proof that I need that they're no threat at all. They're not going to learn enough here to save them from themselves.

Yep that is the quote of the day.

If you feel that your "Sensitive Information" needs to be protected from certain new members.

Why not just send them a PM and asked them more personal information before you respond. I do it everyday. If i question someone's motives and they don't want to give me a little before I give them a little. It's that easy to ignore them. Shoot tell them that you'll give them a call and talk about. Thats enough to scare the panties off anyone.

So we have two individuals that I can tell that have just thrown everyone into a tissy fit.

Is that all there is or was there more names that I have missed? You know its in our nature and happens everyday throughout the world. One or two indivduals thinking outside the box and if enough people listen it can screwup the balance of a city or even a nation.

Tough times ahead for us humans. Very tough times...

 

[Eric S]

Marketing for new home business


Oh I see. Thats funny that post was stated two weeks ago and everyone ignored it except for a few individuals. Then Joe got sucked in.

Come on I saw that one a mile away but you couldn't ignore that post?

Sheez people you wanted to confront them.

 

[flowerperson]

Dear flower Chat.
I just wanted to say thank you for all the nice PM you sent to me! I just wanted to make a quick statement about myself. I am almost 42 years young and I have been working(some say playing) with flowers half my life, working in a high end flowers shop for 6 of those years. I have to say I owe my life to flowers. Back in the early 90's divorcées 2 small children and a morgage I really worked to build myself up and get a good rep. I spent countless night way into the morning standing making arrangement for weddings and events.
I never once hated it. It was my solitude, therapy it saved my sole.I owe a lot to the people,(MY wholesaler) who I still by from today! who believed in me and made sure I was going to be reputable.(cking me out to see if I had the equipment I needed)
Flowers saved me put food in the frig, and paid my morgage. I owe so much to the wonderful Biz. and today my business comes form years of making brides happy, and people telling others about myself. To all of you in The professional field You have a wonderful beautiful place to go may it always bring you the hope and happiness it does me. MY wish for you all. Again thanks for the pm's~Tracy
__________________


Tracy

You have much grace and character and are a welcome addition to this board- I am sure you caan give much insite and advise to many in CC

 

[sfox]

Maybe there is the problem

So, my personal opinion, if these folks (they are not pariah), have a valid business with coolers, business taxes and the like, have the education to promote themselves and their art, then I don't see the problem.
V

Victoria, maybe there is the problem. We are not artists, we are the art gallery owners. Artists can work out of their homes, art gallerys are places of business.

While designing flowers is an artful profession, this board was a place for business owners to openly discuss business items.

One last example to make my point about basement betty's. Today in the United States, there is a crisis in housing. This crisis is being brought about by the rapid default of mortgages. The sector that is being affected the most is what is called sub-prime. These are people who bought their homes with little or no equity of their own invested in their house. A little like a basement betty. If you have little or no equity invested in your business, you are more likely not to run it as a business. Those who started as basement betty's and make the change are few and are the ones who make the leap from artist to business person. Just like in the subprime mortgage market, some will make it through these bad times and eventually own their homes, but they will be the rare ones, not the norm.

 

[Lally's Bouquet]

They're not going to learn enough here to save them from themselves.

Ditto! I vote for this one as the quote of the day!

 

[Lally's Bouquet]

I haven't seen any common names for it, but they're basically the basement bettys of the photographic world - someone plunks some cash down on a camera (cheaper every day!), and suddenly, they're a wedding photographer. !

Over here we call those type of photographers "WEEKEND PHOTOGRAPHERS"

Julie

 

[CHR]

So we have two individuals that I can tell that have just thrown everyone into a tissy fit.

That's the way I see it, too.

We have had a very diverse group of registered users for as long as I can remember. At least a few log in here nearly every day but never post. Some work for WSs and one is a famous dOG of the lowest order.

They want to know what's being said about themselves. I'm glad they can read it here.

Different folks want to draw different circles around their own definitions of what a 'real florist' is.

Shall we keep out all people who've bought a store while having zero industry experience?

How about all FC members who aggressively order gather?

Both would be stupid lines in the sand AFAIC.

I loved Eric sharing about how Linh got her now very successful business started from home. She STOLE no one's business and was a successful designer in her own right because she provided professional quality and service.

As far as the demise of Floristboard goes... with no accountablility for what was said, posts were allowed to be mean, dismissive, taunting and rude. We've been made fun of here at FC for being 'too kind' but that's OK with me.

I keep hoping for a month where the Marketing or Website Development forums are more popular than the one about WSs.

One of the posters mentioned she heard about FC from J's show. Are we supposed to ask him NOT to mention us for fear a hobbyist might log in? That too would be a shame!

Once again, I suggest we define FC by the scope of our discussions and not by some litmus test or sorority-by-invitation-only scheme.

Yes, opinions do vary.