Membership Directory Focus On Design

January 2010 Issue 4 Vol.
A publication of the Allied Florists of Houston
Focus On Design
By Alex Torres AIFD CFD
TMF pg. 8-9
Membership Directory
Keeping you linked
The Allied Florist
c/o Taylor Wholesale
1601 W 21st Street
Houston, TX 77008
Address Service
Requested
The Allied Florist
We would love to hear from you...
President:
Lana Scarborough TMFA
Phone: 281-701-1554
[email protected]
1st Vice President:
Lucas Chavez
LC Floral Designs
Phone: 281-342-8839
[email protected]
2nd Vice President:
Courtney Stewart-Thomas
High's Flowers
Phone: 281-999-0890
[email protected]
Retail Directors:
Robin Martinez—TMF AAF
Flowers of Kingwood
Phone: 281-360-1364
[email protected]
Karen Williams
Rainforest Flowers
Phone: 281-367-0436
[email protected]
Jason Holguin
All That Blooms
Phone: 281-538-0702
[email protected]
Employee Director:
Kimberly Larson TMF
Bloomers Florist
Phone: 281-351-7151
[email protected]
Treasurer:
Keith Taylor
Taylor Wholesale
Phone: 800-725-0707
[email protected]
Billing Inquiries to:
[email protected]
Past President:
Kathy Green—TMFA
Olive Tree Florist
Phone: 281-345-1166
[email protected]
Secretary/ Editor:
Frances Egbert—TMF
The Blooming Idea
Phone: 281-795-9981
[email protected]
The Allied Florist 2
Happy New Years to everyone!
I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season with your family
and friends.
I want to encourage you to start off the new year with your Allied
Florist Friends on January 12th at Pikes Peak as we all watch to see
who will become the 2010 Houston Cup Winner.
It’s always so inspiring to watch the competition and see each of
the contestants creative juices get flowing.
Lana Scarborough—TMFA
If you think you would like to compete call Courtney Stewart at Highs Flowers and she will be
glad to give you the needed information.
I am looking forward to a NEW and PROSPOROUS year. Hope to see everyone at Pikes Peak!
~ Lana
The 31st Annual HOUSTON CUP Competition 2010
Come see cutting edge design live with
some of Houston’s most talented designers:
January 12th 2010
Pikes Peak of Texas
4340 Directors Row
Houston, TX 77092
$17.00 entry fee, a light dinner will be served
Please RSVP to Courtney Stewart-Thomas by January 8th 2009 at: 281-999-0890
The Allied Florist 3
Membe
Dire
Allied Florists of Houston is all about getting you connected with the best resources
available to you in Houston. This also means building relationships with other florists,
wholesalers, and companies who support Allied. This edition of The Allied Florist will include a membership directory. We encourage you to use this directory when sending
flowers to another shop, when purchasing your flowers and hard goods, and when
deciding what companies to do business with. Take pride in knowing that the members of Allied are receiving the same great education that you are each month. Shop
with confidence by using Allied wholesale suppliers, send orders with confidence using
trusted florists, and choose wisely those companies with whom you choose to do
business with.
American Agro Products—
Gillermo Moreno
1880 Regal Row
Dallas Texas 75235
P: 214-920-8405
Blux Glass
Melissa Plumb
15349 Mutiny Court
Corpus Christi Texas 78418
P: 361-793-9596
W: www.bluxglass.com
E: [email protected]
Florage
Gayle Christi
2729 Fondren Road
Houston Texas 77063
P: 713-266-5707
W: www.florage.com
E: [email protected]
Greenworld
Frank Huezo
1003A Atascocita Road
Humble Texas 77396
P: 281-446-0405
Ellison’s Greenhouses
P.J. Ellison-Kalil
2107 East Stone Street
Brenham Texas 77833
P: 979-836-6011
W: www.ellisonsgreenhouses.com
E: [email protected]
Greenleaf Wholesale Florist
Kurt Austin
2112 Leeland Street
Houston Texas 77003
P: 713-223-0299
W: www.greenleafwholesale.com
E: [email protected]
Florabunda
Gregory Spencer
1609 Ennis
Houston Texas 77288
P: 713-222-9496
W: www.florabunda.com
L&G Wholesale
Jim Greer or Steve Evan
3643 Willow Bend Boulevard
Houston Texas 77054
P: 713-667-0101
W: www.lgwholesaleinc.com
E:[email protected]
The Allied Florist 4
Miles of Smiles
Chester Thurman
15225 I-10
Baytown Texas 77520
P: 281-385-6955
P: 1-800-766-4532
W: www.milesofsmiles.biz
Southern Floral Company
Brian Weatherford
1313 West 20th Street
Houston Texas 77008
P: 713-880-1300
W: www.southernfloral.tripod.com
ership
ectory
Pikes Peak of Texas
Jim Haley or Will Guzman
4340 Directors Row
Houston Texas 77092
P: 713-686-4500
W: www.pikespeakfloral.com
Dec It Out
Leshia Ortiz
409 East Main Street
Tomball Texas 77375
P: 281-255-9401
W: www.tomballflorist.com
Darryl Murchison Design
Darryl Murchison
483 West 38th Street
Houston Texas 77018
P: 713-863-0400
W: www.darrylmurchisondesign.com
A Dairs
Pamela Litton
1804 Sam Houston Street
Liberty Texas 77575
P: 877-232-4772
W: www.adairsfloral.com
P: 281-852-2332
W: www.atascocitaflorist.com
All That Blooms
Jason Holguin
624 Marina Bay Drive
Kemah Texas 77565
P: 281-538-0702
W: www.allthatblooms.com
Atascocita Lake Houston Florist
Christine Swanson
7556 FM 1960 Road East
Humble Texas 77346
Bloomers Florist
Doreen Gordy
30006 Tomball Parkway Ste B
Tomball Texas 77375
P: 281-351-7151
W: www.bloomers.com
The Blooming Idea
Mary McCarthy
8008 Ashlane Way Ste. 110
The Woodlands Texas 77382
P: 281-465-4288
W: www.thebloomingidea.com
...continued on page 6...
The Allied Florist 5
Botanical Designs by Montgomery
Shari White
610 Park Street
Baytown Texas 77520
P:281-427-7454
www.botanicaldesignsbymontgomery.co
Ed’s Flower Cottage of Deer Park
Ed Mills
4506 Center Street
Deer Park Texas 77536
P: 281-542-6900
W: www.flowercottageofdeerpark.com
Brookhollow Florist
Dorothy Weaver
11548 Northwest Freeway
Houston Texas 77092
P: 713-683-6162
W: www.brookhollowflorist.com
Flowers by Adela
Ramona & Olan Ohl
3756 Cartwright Road
Missouri City Texas 77459
P: 281-242-4020
W: www.ftdfloristsonline.com/
flowersbyadela
Claybar Floral Shop
Linda Claybar
1145 North 11th Street
Beaumont Texas 77704
P: 409-892-3459
W: www.claybarfloralandgifts.com
Cleveland Floral and Gifts
Debra Gordy
806 East Houston
Cleaveland Texas 77327
P: 281-471-2124
W: www.clevelandfloristandgifts.com
Cornelius Florist NW
Veronica Dentler
1215 West main Street
Tomball Texas 77375
P: 281-351-7673
W: www.corneliusflorist.com
Charles Ratcliff—The Florist
Charles Ratcliff
9223 South Main Street
Houston Texas 77025
P: 713-522-9100
W: www.ftdfloristsonline.com
Flowers of Kingwood
Robin Martinez
1962 Northpark Drive
Kingwood Texas 77339
P: 281-360-1364
W: www.flowersofkingwood-tx.com
Gilmore’s Florist
Kristin Voight
2411 North Frazier
Conroe Texas 77303
P: 409-756-5563
W: www.gilmoresflorist.com
Heights Floral Shop
Wally Nobles
401 west 20th Street
Houston Texas 77008
P: 713-862-8811
W: www.heightsfloralshop.com
High’s Flowers
Courtney Stewart-Thomas
518 Westbrook Drive
Houston Texas 77037
P: 281-999-0890
W: www.highsflowers.com
...continued on page 10...
The Allied Florist 6
Blux Glass
Melissa Plumb from Blux Glass paid us a visit at our November Meeting and soon
thereafter became a wholesale Member of Allied Florists of Houston. Melissa donated
some beautiful glassware for the November show. Since then she has visited many
different Allied Florist Members. If you haven’t had a chance to look at her glassware I
highly encourage you to schedule an appointment.
Blux Glass was founded in 2002, They specialize in hand blown glass products. Although the corporate offices are located in Corpus Christi, all their product is shipped
directly to Blux from the family factory in Monterrey Mexico. With chip resistant,
non toxic, patented paint, Blux glass guarantees product satisfaction. Blux exhibits a
high regard not only for its’ customers, but for the environment as well. All hand
blown glass is made from recycled glass and boxed in recycled cardboard. In addition
to savings on quality glass and beautiful design, Blux glass provides personalized service and distribution throughout Texas.
For any questions please contact Melissa Plumb at 361-793-9596
Blux Glass—15349 Mutiny Court—Corpus Christi Texas 78418—w: www.bluxglass.com
The Allied Florist 7
Customer Service - by Alex Torres AIFD CFD TMF
Welcome to the first column of the decade.
We hope that your holidays were filled with
joy and many blessings. Remember, the
memories we make during these months
linger in our hearts long after the season. It
is our sincerest wish that 2010 brings with
it the promise of brighter days and relief
from this stifling economy.
Plain and simple. That is
truly the area
that we can all
improve in our
business. There
are many variable factors
I think what I love most about the new year that can affect our business and are
frankly beyond our control. Customer seris the opportunity to start with a clean
slate, a fresh perspective and all the aspira- vice is not one of them. If a customer does
not feel valued, he will go to a shop where
tions of the person I was when I began in
he feels his business is appreciated.
this industry so many years ago. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the seaValentine’s day is a prime example of a holison, we tend to get jaded and sometimes
day where we can put this plan into action.
even frustrated with our daily floral routine. Remember that flowers are an emotion
The economy is at its worst and things
based purchase. People are usually experidon’t seem to be shaping up anytime soon. encing deep feeling ans intentions when
Holiday sales were decidedly weaker than
they buy flowers. Go the extra mile!! Make
anticipates and shoppers were just not
sure that every arrangement that leaves
spending the way they used to .
your shop is as beautiful as possible. Customers do notice attention to detail and an
Take heart, things are tough across the
board. There really aren’t many businesses unsatisfied customer never forgets. Somethat have not been affected by the reces- times customers can be unreasonable in
sion. So what so we do? What strategy will their demands… FIX IT! It doesn’t matter
who’s right. You would be surprised at how
help us turn this situation around and increase our bottom line? CUSTOMER SERVICE. easily satisfied an irate customer can be.
The Allied Florist 8
The trick is to take control of the situation
immediately. Begin by apologizing to the
customer and expressing your regret for
the situation. Then simply say the magic
words…”How can we fix this?” This only
works if you mean it. Look, I’m not saying
to give them your shop, but it takes a lot
more money to cultivate a new customer
than it does to keep an established customer, and believe me, that customer will
remember, will return, and will tell all of his
friends how awesome your customer service truly is.
know what a fabulous designer you are, but
busy holidays are not the time to customize every single order. Use your creativity
to cleverly add perceived value to your offerings instead. Add branches, butterflies,
jewels, hearts, and anything else your heart
desires, but remember to charge for addons. I can not stress this enough… LABOR is
NOT free! Charge accordingly for your talent. You can also upgrade by using nicer
containers and deluxe blooms. It is easier to
use specimen quality blooms where you
need less stems to make an impact, that it
is to make roundie-moundies that require a
It is a good idea to review at least the last 3
years sales in order to project what to an- million insertions. The added benefit is that
your offerings will be unique and a sure hit
ticipate. Remember, this year the holiday
with the recipient. Remember, deluxe
falls on a Sunday, so this will definitely affect sales. Encourage early delivery so that blooms can easily command deluxe prices.
people that work in offices can receive
Above all… BREATHE… and thank your lucky
their gifts and thereby let their co-workers stars that this madness only comes once a
know just how much they are loved. Be sure year. Comments/ kudos/ complaints??? Let
and route your deliveries as efficiently as
me know: [email protected]
possible. Planning ahead can make all the
difference in the world. You still have time
to glue foam into containers, tie bows, and
do all the small but tedious details that we
never seems to have time to do on that
week.
Another good idea is to choose designs that
are easily mass produced in addition to the
standard fare, dozens anyone? Trust me, we
The Allied Florist 9
J Scott’s A Florist
J Scott Hasty
130 Strickland Drive
Orange Texas 77630
P: 800-880-8735
W: www.jscottsaflorist.com
Lary’s Florist
Lynn McLean
315 South Friendswood Drive
Friendswood Texas 77546
P: 281-482-7070
W: www.larysflorist.com
Kay-Tee Florist
Lara Twyleen
870 South Mason road
Katy Texas 77450
P: 281-395-2101
W: www.kayteeflorist.com
L.C. Floral Designs
Lucas Chavez
204 Highway 90 A East
Richmond Texas 77469
P: 281-342-8839
W: www.lcfloraldesigns.com
KD’s Florist and Gifts
Dottie Koleckar
5315F Highway Boulevard
Katy Texas 77494
P: 281-391-1132
W: www.kdsfloristandgifts.com
Lisa Maries Floral Shop
Lisa Seals
125 Pitts Road
Pecan grove Texas 77406
P: 281-238-0002
W: www.lisamariesfloralshop.com
Killions Milam Florist
Kris Killion
1705 Fairview
Houston Texas 77006
P: 713-523-7777
W: www.killionsflorist.com
Loki Flower Garden
Judy Rutledge
910 Louisianna Street
Suite 148
Houston Texas 77002
P: 713-236-9485
W: www.lokiflorist.com
LaNells Florist
Lindo Odom
8441 C. E. King Parkway
Houston Texas 77044
P: 281-458-3688
W: www.lanells.com
The Allied Florist 10
Memorial City Florist
Renee’ Carpenter
12343 Kingsride
Houston Texas 77024
P: 713-461-1138
W: www.memorialcityflorist.com
Nora Annr’s Flower Shoppe
Nora Sim
5858 New Territory Boulevard
Sugar Land Texas 77479
P: 281-491-5850
W: www.noraannesflowers.com
Over The Top Florals
Lana Scarborough
30598 FM 1488
Waller Texas 77484
P: 936-372-0010
W: www.overthetopflorals.com
The Olive Tree
Kathy Green
18311 Clay Road
Houston Texas 77084
P: 281-345-1166
W: www.olivetreeflorist.com
Petals By Design
Lisa Cushing
3317 Bell Street
Amarillo Texas 79106
P: 281-813-5799
W: www.petalsbydesign.us
W: www.rainforestflowers.net
Richardson’s Florist
Irma Richardson
3911 Lockwood Drive
Houston Texas 77026
P: 713-673-5955
W: www.richardsonflorist.com
Sarah’s Florist
Sarah Cain
11195 Westheimer
Houston Texas 77042
P: 281-497-5533
W: www.sarahsflorist.com
Temple’s Florist
Juliene Durdin
8528 Highway 146
Baytown Texas 77523
P: 281-576-2726
W: www.templesflorist.com
Willians Florist and Gifts
Alan Davenport
8590 32nd Street
P.O. Box 576
Groves Texas 77619
P: 409-962-4489
W: www.Williamsflorist.com
Rainbow Floral Shop
Brenda Wilkes
14815 Old Humble Road
Humble Texas 77396
P: 281-441-2223
W: www.rainbowfloralshop.com
Rainforest Flowers
Karen Williams
25602 I-45 North Frontage
Suite 116
The Woodlands Texas 77386
P: 281-367-0436
The Allied Florist 11
Fred Bell
Bloomnet
P: 832-742-3739
W: www.bloomnet.com
Brenda S. McAfree
Cindy Bankhead Millis
Cindy Sharp
Bloomers Florist
30006 State Highway #249 #B
Tomball Texas 77375
P: 281-351-7151
W: www.bloomers.cc
Doan Thanh Nguyen
The Elegance of Flowers
10613 Bellaire Boulevard
Houston Texas 77072
P: 833-568-0056
W: www. Eleganceflowershouston.com
Diane Ward
Pat Hermes
Houston School of Floral Design
2000 North Look W #130
Houston Texas 77018
P: 713-977-4364
W: www.floristschool.com
Ken and Donna Senter
The Senterpiece
8525 Jackrabbit Road
Houston Texas 77095
P: 281-861-8525
W: www.thesenterpiece.com
Kimberly Larson
Bloomers Florist
30006 State highway 249 #B
Tomball Texas 77375
P: 281-351-7151
W: www.bloomers.cc
Lana King
Rainforest Flowers
25602 I-45 Frontage Road
The Woodlands Texas 77386
P: 281-367-0436
W: www.rainforestflowers.net
Lauren Tubbs Calhoun
Mary Mueck
Melinda Lenzy
Nora Cisneros
Flowers of Kingwood
1962 Northpark Drive
Kingwood Texas 77339
P: 281-360-1364
W: www.flowersofkingwood-tx.com
Shelli Black
Rainforest Flowers
25602 I-45 Frontage Road
The Woodlands Texas 77386
P: 281-367-0436
W: www.rainforestflowers.net
Stephanie Jamison
For more networking opportunities Check us
out on Facebook and Twitter.
The Allied Florist 12
Wf&FSA flower gallery with
over 2,500 flower varieties
has recently been upgraded. This fully developed
data base allows wholesalers to save both time and
money; two essential components to any successful
business. With the recent
upgrade, The Flower Gallery
gives WF&FSA members a
leg-up over the competitors by providing an already built database of
most commercially available cut flowers.
flower there is now more
data. The data may include:
breeder, variety, color,
number or petals, vase life,
fragrance, flower size, etc.
WF&FSA’s flower gallery is a
very effective educational
and sales tool.
The Flower Gallery includes
all the common and well
known varieties of roses,
carnations, pompons, lilies
and other major species.
Flowers can be searched by
flower type, color, or variety name. Making the
With WF&FSA’s Flower GalFlower Gallery part of your
lery Upgrade, the database website is practically efnow contains varieties
fortless. The Gallery is autofrom over 40 of the worlds matically updated.
leading breeders. Along with
a photo of the individual
The link can be placed on
any members’ website.
When a customer clicks on
the link they will go directly
to the Flower Gallery. Visitors can bookmark it for
future reference. The
Flower Gallery can be personalized with your company’s name.
In addition to saving money,
WF&FSA members will no
longer have to send their
customers to a competitors website or to multiple
supplier websites to see
photos of cut flower varieties.
For more information
please visit:
www;wffsa.com
Allied Florists of Houston is bursting at the seems with opportunities for you to get
involved! One of the best ways to learn, grow, and stretch yourself is to give a little of
your time and help an amazing organization become even better. There are many different committees that would love to add your talents to their ranks:
AFH Magazine Committee
Community Service Committee
Education Committee
Houston Cup Committee
Membership Committee
Special Events Committee
Sunshine Committee
Telephone Committee
For more information on how you can get involved please email
[email protected], or call a member
of the board (contact information on page 2).
The Allied Florist 13
With the turn of a new year comes the sometimes self inflicted introspection of ourselves. We often ask, how can I improve? What can I do better? In what areas do I need
to change? We set goals, lofty aspirations, and extremely high standards for ourselves
in an attempt to find motivation to achieve the impossible. Around February we usually
decide we are too busy to continue our crazy aspirations, and we let them
go. Then as December comes to a close, we often feel guilty for not trying
harder, and resolve to do it again.
The problem with this cycle is that we are the only ones who have the
power to break it. By default we often choose to continue in this self excusing trend, but in all reality we are the only ones who can change.
2010 brings with it not only a new year, but a new decade. I encourage you
Frances Egbert—TMF to set goals, but make them realistic, hold yourself accountable, and
never give up. Even if you mess up from time to time, never give up. I
wish you all a happy new year and encourage you to relax a little before the big day arrives this February.
~Frances
Winning the Compensation and benefits Battle
One of the major challenges facing business owners is in providing a fair and adequate
compensation and benefits package for employees. If the package is insufficient, the
company cannot attract and keep qualified employees. If the package is too generous,
profit tends to suffer.
In trying to establish a sound compensation system, managers are continually looking
for benchmarks. That is, they want to know how much other companies are paying for
certain positions. They also want to know what fringe benefit packages are being offered. Such benchmarking is essential for the two key types of employees and requires two different types of analysis.
1—Executive Compensation—For top management positions.
2—Employee Compensation—In terms of operating employees.
Even though compensation benchmarks are critical, developing such as benchmarks
has always been a very difficult undertaking in distribution. Typical compensation surveys almost always focus on one part line of trade. As a result, they tend to have very
small sample sizes… To read more about winning the compensation and benefits battle
please visit: www.wffsa.com
The Allied Florist 14
Keeping you updated...
January
February
1st— New Years Day
1st—start “pre-selling” valentines arrangements.
1st—Houston Cup Entry deadline. Please
submit all required materials by the 1st to
Courtney Stewart-Thomas at High’s Flowers. Please call 281-999-0890 for more information.
12th—Houston Cup Competition—Pikes
Peak Theme: Starz 2010 : The next design
frontier
14th—Valentines Day—Good luck to everyone.
25th-27th—Management institute in Dallas
Texas. Featured speaker will be Joe Ellers,
director of Palmetto Associates. For more
information please visit www.wffsa.org
12th—New classes start at the Houston
school of floral design. Please visit:
www.floristschool.com for more information.
The Allied Florist 15
The Allied Florist 16