What were you in your past life?

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My Pedigree...

Degree from GA Southern for Art/Print Management, worked in printing for about 2 years, got a job as Visual Merchandiser for the now defunct Rhodes Furniture for 10 Years, then worked in Management for a couple more, got married, became full time decorative artist, went in to help redo a flower shop, found my calling and being doing that ever since, and still painting of course.
 
In order....

Born a florist, drove a big rig, florist, trained horses, florist, construction, florist...florist florist florist, PITA to the wire services, florist florist florist, florist florist florist, PITA to the wire services, florist florist florist florist florist florist, PITA to the wire services, florist florist florist florist florist florist, PITA to the wire services, florist florist florist florist florist florist, PITA to the wire services, florist florist florist florist florist florist, PITA to the wire services, florist florist florist florist florist florist, PITA to the wire services, florist florist florist.
 
When I first read the title of this thread I thought you meant my actual past life - I don't think I should go there .... BUT

In my life before Floristry I was a Year 10 High school student..!
 
In roughly chronological order:

  • Born to a florist
  • Worked in the main store and satellite stores
  • First retail design at 5 yrs old (sold in under an hour, IIRC)
    (FYI - My design skills have not improved since I was 5)
  • Landscaping
  • Telemarketing (Chimney cleaning)
  • Computer shop tech & sales
  • Internet provider (sales)
  • Computer repair guy
  • Flower shop weekend driver
  • College for Accounting
  • Managed a satellite shop purchased by Martin's
  • Asst Manager at the main store
  • Custom computer work
  • Web Design
  • Launched FlowerChat
  • TF Daisy troubleshooter & installer
  • MAS Canadian sales guy
  • FTD Mercury installer / trainer
  • SEO / Internet Marketer
I feel like I've left some things out ... I'll edit if they come back to mind :)

Ryan
 
I've been working in flower shops off and on for just about my whole working life (20+ years!) In between I have been in the restaurant biz (just about every job you can do - bussed tables when I first started, hostessing, waitressing, working in the kitchen) and some office jobs here and there plus a little bit of non-floral retail sales.
 
It was so long ago I forgot.

That's right I used to be in the newspaper business. Yeah me. I worked a paper route with my brother.

Then it wa into the flower biz.

Geez I miss the news paper business. lol
 
Been in the industry in one form or another.Greenhouse Management,Landscape Design,Turf Manangement,Floral Shop. Before I opened this retail store I had a real life. Went anywhere I wanted,traveled and shopped. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAME OVER ME !!! I wanted to expand and here I am talking with all of you. Went full circle and loving it!
 
My floral/horticultural business is 132 years old. I am no. 4 owner.

At age 7, I had to cut the grass around the house, the shop and the greenhouse. Sans buildings it was about 1.5 plus acres. I cut it with a self propelled walk behind 20 inch lawn mower. IN the the winter I sholved the side walks and rode in the delivery van and ran the deliveries. I also pulled lots of weeds as a kid. In 1972, dad broke down a bought a cub cadet with a 36 inch deck. Then I had to cut 4 acres of grass/weeds.

Everyday after school from the time I was in 5th grade I rode over to the other shop and helped with deliveries. Every Saturday I worked in the shop.

High School? Yea I worked. Everyday.

Then in 1978, college and the University of Illinois. Started off in Ornamental Horticulture, but switch to majors so I could study more business classes. I spent my time between Ag Econ classes and the College of Commerce's business classes. Now you know why I comment on busines issues so much here. Those classes entailed Accounting, and Economics. I have just as many college of commerce class hours as I do college of ag hours. the uofi graduates more cpas than anyother college - atleast when i was there.

after college ('82-'89), I became a comodities broker, then a soybean market analyst, then a public relations director. I learned alot in these careers!

Then my girl friend at the time, Anna, made me marry her. So i did that in 89. I also moved back home and got back into the family business.

In 1995, my parents and the accountant made me buy them out (the parents not the accountant).

At that time, I also expanded the greenhouses. and doubled sales.

I know alot about this industry because I was forced into "slave/kid labor" at an early age.

I have worked really hard and maybe that is why so many flower shops in this area want me to buy them out.

hope this helps you to know me better
joe
 
A molecular biologist. I started researching the genetics of pollution degrading bacteria, and ended up looking for a cure for cystic fibrosis.

Really.
 
McDonalds (when there was only 1 million served)
Holiday Inn desk clerk
Balmoral Park Race Track secretary to the racing secretary
Balmoral Park Race Track "party girl" (long story)
Peat, Marwick & Mitchell secretary to the comptroller
Mom
Florist 3rd generation
 
Joe Mioux said:
I know alot about this industry because I was forced into "slave/kid labor" at an early age.

joe
Click to expand...

I tried the "slave/kid labor" with my kids. They figured that it was just too hard to work for both Mom and Uncle at the same time. Go figure. :wide:
 
I went from flour truck to flower truck :)

I was Quality Assurance and Safety Manager for two industrial bakeries that baked all the buns and english muffins for every Michigan and most of Ohio and Pennsylvania McDonald's.
 
I managed a hair salon that was part of a chain. Retail basically!!
I learned a lot in that position that has helped me in my shop. Hair designers are "high maintenance", so I am glad that I dont "babysit" anymore.

I absolutely love what I do now...and..if I make it through this recession, I might be able to make some $$ someday!! :dearbob:
 
Past Live Regressions....

My past life is pretty complicated......

I still have problems with my shoulder....from the past life...

My Wife Nancy said I should go and see a Psychic.

I thought she meant a chrioropracotr.....she said no a Psychic.....

So I went......and it is a really long story....but if some of you want to know .....I could tell you over the phone....

It's kind of sad.

all the best...
 
Twila said:
I tried the "slave/kid labor" with my kids. They figured that it was just too hard to work for both Mom and Uncle at the same time. Go figure. :wide:
Click to expand...

I also learned ALOT along the way.


There are not many of you out there that remember the syphon pump system that was needed to draw water through the OLD Oasis.

or the Zonolite used in paper mache containers. (that reminds me of a thread I need to start about funeral arrangements and "old fashioned" paper mache arrangements). of the flat fern that was used prior to zonolite. or the chicken wire that was NEEDED!!! in a lot of arrangements. i do.

I was around before there were 6 inch 8 inch or 10 inch foliage plants.

the main stay was planters.

Do any of you remember dried flowers? and how you had to wire them?

or how about driftwood?

or ...... fill in the blanks.....

joe
 
geebf said:
When I first read the title of this thread I thought you meant my actual past life - I don't think I should go there .... BUT

In my life before Floristry I was a Year 10 High school student..!
Click to expand...
what???????
 
Short stint cooking at Pizza Hut in HS
Worked on the family farm my whole childhood life (more child slave labor)
State Farm secretary summers through college
Retail fabric store clerk during college
BS in Home Ec Education (not sure why)
Custom Picture Framer at Hobby Lobby
Sales @ trophy/awards shop
Flower shop
Mom
 
oh gawd......
1971-1973......college and cashier at KMart......head cashier 1972, offered a management position latter 1972.......Graduated with an Associate Degree in Veterinary Medicine 1973 (Vet Nurse)....but KMart offered more money than washing out kennels back then.....(was all a Vet Tech was in 1973)
Mom & Dad bought this dang flower shop and cause we were "living in sin".........offered house, flower shop IF we got married and moved back to this small town.
oops..............forward a few years....two daughters later, two granddaughters (and one on the way)........I'm still here darn it.
Hubby's eligible for retirement through town fire dept.....may just file that paperwork and close the shop and go free lancing......I think I can get a job anywhere doing anything to be comfy. With the price of everything now.........hmmmmmmmm
 
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