Welcome to TBD. You have the kind of business that can also lead to a social life. You get first shot at all the widows when they order flowers for their late husband's funeral. Just kidding!

Wecome to TBD.

I LOVE daisy's, sunflowers, black eyed Susans...those types of flowers...Is it your experience that certain personality types enjoy certain types of flowers? For instance, I am not a fan of roses, nor lilies, and I truly dislike red carnations! Gladiolas are simply vulgar to me. I have pretty strong opinions, I wonder if (in your experience) others are the same as I, strongly opinionated in their floral preferences, for this reason I imagine selecting the appropriate floral gift is a serious part of your business. It's very disappointing to receive flowers that you truly do not want to share your space with, isn't it? Especially if you feel guilty NOT displying an arrangement that has been lovingly ordered for you as a gift. For instance if you strongly associate roses with a funeral home smell or the smell of a deceased loved ones hospital suite. Clearly, you don't want to receive them for a romantic holiday even if they are the classic choice? Do you deal with folks as sensative as I (about their flowers) every single day, and how do you please everyone?

Scott- way to go! Congratulations!! I worked in a floral shop for several years here in San Francisco.. I wonder if it's as competitive there in Tampa as it is here in SF? The hotel concierges, for example, here in SF, expected ENORMOUS kickbacks from us for their referrals, in the form of free arrangements for them and their friends, whenever they wanted.. or they would send their biz elsewhere. It drove us nuts.

My fave flower is still the peony. From what I can tell in your scrapbook photo, your store is beautiful. Again, congrats, Scott- and welcome to TBD.

Thanks Monkeypants. Since opening things are booming. As for concierges I am fair, but won't be taken advantage of. The competition here is ok. I base my business on hometown values rather than competition. There is plenty of business out there for all. You win some and you loose some.

First of all I don't carry carnations or glads. I personally am not a flower snob in anyway. All flowers have their place. As for roses the varieties are limitless in a range of color today that will knock your socks off. I like to educate my customers about the flowers and how they are used as well as cared for and believe it or not even the most difficult flower snob will change their minds about most flowers. It's all in the way they are used and designed. Unfortunatly in the floral industry the flowers have been hyberdised to create that bigger and more colorful flower and the fragrance of the flower has been left behind. I do have clients that are very sensative to the fragrance of some flowers and I know not to include these items when they order. There are many things to consider when making an arrangement. For instance I don't recomend sending fragrant lilies to the hospitals. They can be overwhelming in small confined places. I do my best to always deliver exactly what a customer is looking for and overly extend my designs to exceed all their expectations.