mulTi-generaTional shop celebraTes 95 years oF harD work anD Family values
FTD: To what do you attribute your shop’s success?PF: Hard work and, then some more hard work. I am very proud that family is
another reason for our success. Everyone has been involved. My grandfather had five children and 15 grandchildren, and my aunts, uncles and cousins have worked here. Each one of them could tell you a story about their contribution to the business.
FTD: Your grandfather established the business in 1919. How has the shop evolved?
PF: As a gardener and grower in Ireland, my grandfather grew most of the flowers that he sold. He had greenhouses where he grew orchids and carnations. During the Depression, he also grew vegetables. Most recently, the biggest evolution is communication. The Internet and our FTD Mercury system have made it possible to do business around the world!
FTD: How have you kept your marketing fresh over the years? PF: I always employ young, intelligent people that know the latest trends. More
importantly, it’s important to keep it close to home – know your community and be involved with everything local.
FTD: How has partnering with FTD for 68 years benefitted your business?
PF: FTD is the ultimate brand name. I proudly display my FTD Master Florist sign in my window and people immediately know they are walking into an establishment of recognized quality. FTD has also kept us up to date with all the latest products, designs and technology. We couldn’t do it without FTD.
FTD: What advice would you give to fellow florists about withstanding the test of time?
PF: Be flexible and light on your feet. Use the technology available but remain solid in your core values. Produce a quality product. Service, service, service. People can get flowers almost anywhere now, so you need to stand out with great designs, communication with your customers and involvement in your community. And, love what you do.
FTD: What plans do you have to celebrate this exciting milestone?PF: Marketing for sure. Mostly, I just want to recognize Thomas Patrick Flynn,
my grandfather, my father Peter and Uncle Jack Flynn who partnered for 40 years; and my own 35 years doing what I love. I am blessed to carry forth this incredible family business. Thanks to all my family: Pat, Kit, Eileen, Jack, Jim, Chuck, Mike, Rich, Tim. Bill, Paul, Kathy, Ann Therese, Tom, Uncle Pat and too many others to mention. I especially want to thank my wife Ana and sons, Peter and Jack.
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Peter Flynn, owner of Flynn’s Flowers & Fruit gift baskets in Edison, NJ, is
celebrating the 95th anniversary of his flower shop founded by his
grandfather in 1919. The shop has also been an FTD Member Florist for
68 years. FTD spoke to Peter about the shop’s special anniversary
Flynn’s Flowers & Gift Baskets edison, NJ.Original building with main shop and five greenhouses.
“I proudly display my FTD Master Florist
sign in my window and people know…an establishment of
recognized quality.”- Peter Flynn
Flynn’s Flowers & Gift BasketsPeter Flynn Sr. (Peter’s Father), 1920,
Flynn’s Flowers & Gift Baskets continues today with three generations of FTD florists.
Founder Thomas P. Flynn, above (Peter’s grandfather)
celebraTing FTD® FlorisTsThe team at Creative
Floral Design in Sandy Springs, MD; (Chris
Crump, second from left, Devin Anderson, Suzanne
Anderson and Robert Crump) is presented with
FTD Top 100 Partner and FTD Top 100 Sender plaques by Regional Vice
President Jim Weedon (far left).
Located in Glens Falls, NY, Binley Florist proudly
accepts their 50th
Anniversary plaque from FTD.
The team from Seasons Design Studio in Houston, TX, celebrates their Top 100 Partner plaque from FTD.
Oliver Flower Shop, established in Pittsburgh, PA, celebrates their 75th anniversary as an FTD Member Florist. Thanks for being FTD!
Cheryl Kolbe (left), owner of Kolbe Flower Shop located in Seguin, TX, accepts her FTD 50th Anniversary plaque from FTD Field Business Consultant Joe Arbona (right).
FTD Regional Vice President Jim Weedon (right) presents Skip Paal of Rutland Beard Floral Group based in Baltimore, MD, with an FTD Top 100 Partner plaque. Congratulations!
Michele (second from the left) and Dennis Feld (far right) of Evans Flowers and Greenhouses in Peabody, MA, are presented with their FTD Top 100 Sender plaque by National Accounts Vice President Ed Cronin (far left) and Regional Vice President Jim Weedon (second from right).
Cel
ebra
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Ken Young (left), owner of Phoenix Flower Shops located in Phoenix, AZ, receives an FTD 50th Anniversary plaque from FTD Field Business Consultant John Castro (right).
White puts the fi nishing touches on a newly-merchandised area featuring only candles and room diff users to enhance the shopping experience for customers.
Before
Area featuring a wide variety of products
After
Area re-merchandised to focus on gourmet and kitchen
items for an easier customer shopping experience.
Members of the veldkamp’s Flowers team including Martha Veldkamp (second from left) and John Verldkamp (back center) with FTD Education Consultant J. Keith White AIFD (far right).
★★Congratulations“Your visit was very helpful, productive and fun. We are thankful to FTD for coming out here and spending time to
make us look and feel better.”
- martha Veldkamp
Veldkamp’s Flowers and Gifts
WINNER!
CONGRATULATIONS TO Veldkamp’s Flowers and Gifts, based in Lakewood, CO, for winning the FTD® Send Some Love Sweepstakes second place prize. During the Valentine’s Day promotion, Veldkamp’s won the FTD merchandising consult led by FTD Education Consultant J. Keith White AIFD valued at $5,000.
Free
FT
D UNIVERSITY
register today at FTDi.com/FTDuniversity.
eDucaTion & evenTs calenDar
FIVE KEYS TO FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESSPresented by Mike Fassler of The Family Business Consulting GroupTuesday, october 14, 2014 5 pm eT/2 pm pTWorking with your family in business can be both rewarding and challenging. In this webinar, noted family business consultant mike Fassler will share a high-level view of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with a family business.
mike Fassler
check out the entire 2014 education calendar at FTDi.com/FTDuniversity.
THE LIFE OF THE PARTY:CREATING PROFITABLE EVENTSPresented by FTD Education Consultant Kristine Kratt AIFDTuesday, December 2, 2014 5 pm eT/2 pm pTLucrative events rely on artistry, organization and stellar service. In this webinar, Kristine shares upcoming event trends for 2015 and how to tailor them for your local customers. Learn key ways to create profi table events through modern sales terminology, trend awareness, social media marketing and proper pricing methods.
Kristine Kratt AIFD
FTD® webinar series The FTD Webinar Series is a collection of Free educational presentations available online to help you increase your sales and profi ts, while reducing your costs.
register today at FTDi.com/FTDuniversity.
eDucaTion & evenTs calenDarFTD® is proud to support nearly 50 industry shows each year, strengthening our commitment to our fl orists.
“like” The FTD FlorisT Facebook pageget the latest FTD news, events, education and exclusive Facebook promotions when you “like” us at facebook.com/mercurynetwork.
OCTOBER 4-6, 2014NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF FLORAL ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCEMackinac Island, MINational Alliance of Floral AssociationsWWW.ABOUTNAFA.ORG
OCTOBER 10-12, 2014MONTANA FLORISTS ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONBillings, MTMontana Florists AssociationWWW.MTFLORISTASSC.COM
OCTOBER 11-12, 2014CALIF FLORA 2014Riverside, CACalifornia State Floral AssociationWWW.CALSTATEFLORAL.COM
OCTOBER 11-12, 2014HEARTLAND CONVENTIONOmaha, NENebraska Florists SocietyWWW.MYNFS.ORG
The live webinars are also recorded. Visit FTDuniversity.com to view them at your convenience.
The Florida State Florists’ Association recognized FTD Assistant Events Manager
Janet Justus as the national recipient of the association’s prestigious award for outstanding service to the fl oral industry.
Janet was nominated because of her many years of dedicated service to all state associations and her diligence in
making education for fl orists accessible through FTD. As an FTD employee for
18 years, Janet is not necessarily known or seen by the vast majority of fl orists that benefi t fromher knowledge, expertise and unendingservice to provide fl oral education.
“We could not think of a more deservingperson for this award. Janet has alwaysbeen there to off er FSFA support whenit comes to planning our educational events. She greets our requests with an upbeat response and assists, not only our association, but our entire industry.” declared Florida State Florists’ Association President Darenda Darnell Garbarz, AAF, FSMD.
“We could not think of a moredeserving person for this award.”
FTD Employee is Awarded “Place in the Sun” Hall of Fame Award
