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Green Box Floral Visits FSN

Luke and Nathan Harwell, the owners of Greenbox Floral, paid a visit to Flower Shop Network headquarters this week. While they were here, we took the opportunity to learn about their upcoming product release.

Lauren, Brock, and the Brothers

From left to right: Loranne, Brock, Luke and Nathan.

Experience Before Technology

Luke Harwell chose to follow his father in the floral industry in 2002, attending the Benz School of Floral Design at Texas A&M and becoming a Texas Master Florist. He assumed the role of President of Baack’s Florists and Greenhouses in January of 2008. There is no doubt that he understands the floral industry and the challenges that retail florists face.

Greenbox floral believes in the local florist. They believe each local flower shop is unique and their success should be driven by their own creativity and quality. And they believe one of the key elements needed to grow an inarguably shrinking industry is an opportunity for each shop’s artists to showcase their impressive talents to the customer.

The Value of the Cooler

The Greenbox solution begins with your unique designs.

Luke and Nathan believe the cooler is prime marketing real-estate. It showcases your work, giving the customer who walks in your door the opportunity to see current examples of your unique designs. It also allows for immediate upselling.

A customer sees that perfect item in your cooler and knows she wants to make a purchase. And because she’s already seen it, she doesn’t have to wonder if the finished product will live up to her expectations.

Or perhaps she sees multiple examples of talent and creativity expressed in your unique designs. She is impressed, and now when she has need of a talented florist, she knows to come to you.

Making Online In-Person

They place cameras in your store which broadcast an ultra-low frame rate live stream. Using Greenbox’s proprietary software, the live stream is uploaded directly to your website. The result is a live feed, allowing customers who come to your site an opportunity to click on the designs in your live stream and purchase the exact item in real time, already made and ready to go.

With the proprietary software Greenbox has developed, you are able to price each item so customers can mouse over the arrangement and see a price pop up directly on their screen. Each individual arrangement is clickable so that customers can go straight to a purchasing screen for any floral arrangement they want.

Because online shopping is becoming more and more popular, many of your customers will never have a chance to see the inside of your shop. But due to the live, interactive display designed by Greenbox, the value of your cooler is translated to an online medium. The customer can see your creative designs, can be impressed with your individual work and can see exactly what she is purchasing when she purchases it. Brilliant!

We greatly enjoyed having Luke and Nathan stop by our offices this week. They not only gave us an opportunity to learn more about their product, they showed us the passion for the floral industry that fueled them to develop it. Click here if you would like more information on Greenbox Floral, or if you’d like to see the Greenbox Floral solution in action, visit Baack’s Florists and Greenhouses here.

Friday Florist Recap 11/30 – 12/6: A Seasonal Selection

This week we have a bounteous selection of beautiful options for you to peruse. We start with some seasonal fare invoking the coming winter, one of the pending holiday celebrations or both! After that we showcase the gorgeous work done for special occasions, be they weddings, funerals, or that creative arrangement designed for an important client. We have some breathtaking pieces for you to see, so scroll on down!

Seasonal Flowers

A gorgeous arrangement from Flowrama Minneapolis in Minneapolis, MN

A gorgeous arrangement from Flowerama Minneapolis in Minneapolis, MN

Winter arrangement from Montgomery Florist in Montgomery, NY

Winter arrangement from Montgomery Florist in Montgomery, NY [Read more…]

Friday Florist Recap 11/23 – 11/29: A Profusion of Florals

Thanksgiving doesn’t slow down these florists! We still received amazing photos of different flower arrangements for your viewing pleasure, and as usual we were blown away by the talent of our submitters. So scroll on down and enjoy this profusion of florals!

Special Occasion Flowers

Gorgeous bouquet from Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co. in Princeton, NJ

Gorgeous bouquet from Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co. in Princeton, NJ

Beautiful hand-held from Inspirations Floral Studio in Lock Haven, PA

Beautiful hand-held from Inspirations Floral Studio in Lock Haven, PA

“‘Silver Sparkle’ hand-held for a prom.” [Read more…]

Friday Florist Recap 11/16 – 11/22: Tickling Your Fancy

It’s Friday again, and that means gorgeous arrangements and beautiful bouquets! This week we have a large assortment of wonderful photos for you. From the amazingly creative to the extremely personal, these pictures are guaranteed to tickle your fancy and spark your creativity. But don’t take my word for it, look for yourself!

Wedding Flowers

Elegant wedding bouquet from Floral Galler of Aiken LLC in Aiken, SC

Elegant wedding bouquet from Floral Gallery of Aiken LLC in Aiken, SC

Beautiful wedding bouquet from Bouquets and Bows in Van, TX

Beautiful wedding bouquet from Bouquets and Bows in Van, TX [Read more…]

FSN Member Wins SAF’s Surprise Flowers VaseOff! Challenge

Lemonesque

Congratulations to Walter Fedyshyn of Phillip’s Flowers and Gifts in Chicago, IL for winning the SAF’s Surprise Flowers VaseOff! Challenge!

The VaseOff! ChallengeWalter Fedyshyn 2

The VaseOff! Challenge is a competition put together to increase consumer awareness of the expertise of local florists and which showcases their ability to design specifically for an individual. Walter Fedyshyn was paired with a Chicago-based blogger named Melissa Williams who writes about DIY projects, design, home decor, travel and much more! He read her blog and perused her social media pages to learn as much as he could about her, and then created a design with those bits of knowledge in mind!

The resulting design beat out the other three competitors for first place! Good job, Walter! To learn more about what and how Walter accomplished this feat, check out the original article here.

We are always proud to announce the accomplishments of our members, and because FSN florists are so impressive, it’s something we get to do often. This proves once again that FSN florists are the best florists!

Friday Florist Recap 11/9 – 11/15: A Splash of Color

We have some gorgeous arrangements for you this week! From beautiful bridal bouquets to fall arrangements to some personalized sympathy pieces, the talent of these florists cannot be denied. But don’t take my word for it, scroll down and look for yourself!

Wedding Flowers

Simple yet elegant bouquet from Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co. in Princeton, NJ

Simple yet elegant bouquet from Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co. in Princeton, NJ

Colorful bridal bouquet from Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co. in Princeton, NJ

Colorful bridal bouquet from Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co. in Princeton, NJ [Read more…]

Friday Florist Recap 10/26 – 11/1: A Profusion of Perfection

We are finishing up October with a wondrous collection of floral beauty. Our florists continue to amaze every week, and the submissions just keep getting better! Today we have a mixture of Halloween themed arrangements, fall wedding wonder, and personalized sympathy arrangements to tickle your fancy. The mix of different flowers and colors makes for some gorgeous design. Scroll down and see this profusion of perfection!

Stunning Wedding Flowers

Wedding bouquet by Devine Designs in Fulton, NY

Wedding bouquet by Devine Designs in Fulton, NY

Vibrant bouquet from Forget-Me-Not Flower and Gifts in Chandler, TX

Vibrant bouquet from Forget-Me-Not Flower and Gifts in Chandler, TX

Burnt orange bridal bouquet by Allison at Blue Iris Flowers in Catonsville, MD

Burnt orange bridal bouquet by Allison at Blue Iris Flowers in Catonsville, MD

“Bridal bouquet of burnt orange calla lilies and bear grass.”

Wedding collage by Wilma's Flowers in Jasper, AL

Wedding collage by Wilma’s Flowers in Jasper, AL

Everyday Flowers

Spooky Treat for Halloween from Michele's Floral and Gifts in Copperas Cove, TX

Spooky Treat for Halloween from Michele’s Floral and Gifts in Copperas Cove, TX

“M&M mug paired with fresh fall flowers & an extra surprise of candy tucked inside the bat.”

Amazingly creative autumn arrangement by Tom Kenison AIFD of Crossroads Florist in Mahwah, NJ

Amazingly creative autumn arrangement by Tom Kenison AIFD of Crossroads Florist in Mahwah, NJ

Giving a special touch with Michele's Floral and Gifts in Copperas Cove, TX

Giving a special touch with Michele’s Floral and Gifts in Copperas Cove, TX

“Our signature touch to our special floral arrangements, a handmade butterfly adorns special blossoms.”

A birthday centerpiece from Wilma's Flowers in Jasper, AL

A birthday centerpiece from Wilma’s Flowers in Jasper, AL

Beautiful arrangement from Michele's Floral and Gifts in Copperas Cove, TX

Beautiful arrangement from Michele’s Floral and Gifts in Copperas Cove, TX

“Our customers love the soft romantic colors of delphinium, belles, spiders, gazers, & pink carnations with the promise of spring added by a birdhouse & willow basket.”

Beautiful thank you flowers from Banda's Bouquets in Longview, WA

Beautiful thank you flowers from Banda’s Bouquets in Longview, WA

Gorgeous centerpiece from Blooming Art Floral Design in San Diego, CA

Gorgeous centerpiece from Blooming Art Floral Design in San Diego, CA

Fall arrangement from Robyn at Flowers and More in Fresno, CA

Fall arrangement from Robyn at Flowers and More in Fresno, CA

Sympathy Flowers

Standing spray by Devine Designs in Fulton, NY

Standing spray by Devine Designs in Fulton, NY

Fall sympathy arrangement from Sweet P's Design in Lubbock, TX

Fall sympathy arrangement from Sweet P’s Design in Lubbock, TX

“Love the grouping of roses and the framing of the palm leaves.”

Funeral spray from Robyn at Flowers and More in Fresno, CA

Funeral spray from Robyn at Flowers and More in Fresno, CA

“Funeral spray of red roses, white hydrangea and Casablanca lilies.”

Sympathy arrangement for a fisherman from Tattered Leaf in Lyons, WI

Sympathy arrangement for a fisherman from Tattered Leaf in Lyons, WI

What will next week bring? Who knows! Be sure to like us on Facebook for even more beautiful floral designs. If you’re a florist, we want to feature YOUR favorite design of the week right here on Facebook Friday Recap!

Learn how to submit! | See past recap posts!

Friday Florist Recap 10/19 – 10/25: Fun with Fall Florals!

Fall is a wonderful time of year. The temperature dips. The leaves turn, finally releasing their grip, floating to the ground and covering the world with color. Such natural, matchless elegance can only be celebrated, and we have convincing evidence that florists are experts at at it! Scroll down and behold the amazing fruits of some admittedly hard labors.

Stunning Wedding Flowers

Beautiful bouquet designed by Tammi Cribbs of Oran's Flower Shop in Kingston, TN

Beautiful bouquet designed by Tammi Cribbs of Oran’s Flower Shop in Kingston, TN

Gorgeous bridal bouquet from Lulu McCabe Florist & Events in St. Louis, MO

Gorgeous bridal bouquet from Lulu McCabe Florist & Events in St. Louis, MO

“Bridal bouquet with White O’Hara, Mythos, Sahara, Talea and Vendela roses.”

Fall wedding bouquet by Robyn at Flowers and More of Fresno in Fresno, CA

Fall wedding bouquet by Robyn at Flowers and More of Fresno in Fresno, CA

Wedding design from Lulu McCabe Florist & Events in St. Louis, MO

Wedding design from Lulu McCabe Florist & Events in St. Louis, MO

“This trumpet vase design was for one of our October weddings last weekend, the whole feel of the night was vintage Hollywood!”

A fall bridal bouquet from Design House Floral in Clarkesville, GA

A fall bridal bouquet from Design House Floral in Clarkesville, GA

Elegant bridal bouquet from The Yellow Rose Florist in Olive Branch, MS

Elegant bridal bouquet from The Yellow Rose Florist in Olive Branch, MS

Beautiful centerpiece from Floral Design in Post Falls, ID

Beautiful centerpiece from Floral Design in Post Falls, ID

“Centerpiece for styled wedding shoot.”

Everyday Flowers

Undead corsage and boutonneire from MaryJane's Flowers in Berlin, NJ

Undead corsage and boutonneire from MaryJane’s Flowers in Berlin, NJ

“This was a corsage and boutonniere we did for a zombie ball.”

An office arrangement from Argyle Flowers & Design Studio in London, Ontario, Canada

An office arrangement from Argyle Flowers & Design Studio in London, Ontario, Canada

“Fall Arrangement for an Office I created, Bamboo, Orchids, Freesia, Stone, Wire, Pheasant Feathers, Hydrangea, over 7 ft tall.”

A combination arrangement from A-1 Flowers & More in Cottonwood, ID

A combination arrangement from A-1 Flowers & More in Cottonwood, ID

Gorgeous arrangement from The Yellow Rose Florist in Olive Branch, MS

Gorgeous arrangement from The Yellow Rose Florist in Olive Branch, MS

A Boss's Day arrangement from Hearts and Flowers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

A Boss’s Day arrangement from Hearts and Flowers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

A firetruck from Wilma's Flowers in Jasper, AL

A firetruck from Wilma’s Flowers in Jasper, AL

Sunflowers from Just Judy's Flowers in Pensacola, FL

Sunflowers from Just Judy’s Flowers in Pensacola, FL

Homecoming corsage from Blooming Art Floral Design in San Diego, CA

Homecoming corsage from Blooming Art Floral Design in San Diego, CA

Breast cancer awareness arrangement from Stockton Floral & Gifts in Stockton, IL

Breast cancer awareness arrangement from Stockton Floral & Gifts in Stockton, IL

Arrangement for a fund-raiser from Blumen Garten Florists in Columbus, OH

Arrangement for a fund-raiser from Blumen Garten Florist in Columbus, OH

A lovely arrangement from Stockton Floral & Gifts in Stockton, IL

A lovely arrangement from Stockton Floral & Gifts in Stockton, IL

Autumn's Zen from Sassy Flowers in Rexburg, ID

Autumn’s Zen from Sassy Flowers in Rexburg, ID

An excellent arrangement from Scentsations Flowers & Gifts in Bristol, VT

An excellent arrangement from Scentsations Flowers & Gifts in Bristol, VT

“My version of FSN’s Harvest Moon arrangement as featured on the October page of the calendar.”

Sympathy Flowers

Gorgeous standing spray from The Yellow Rose Florist in Olive Branch, MS

Gorgeous standing spray from The Yellow Rose Florist in Olive Branch, MS

A memorial from Always Something Special Florist in Bayville, NJ

A memorial from Always Something Special Florist in Bayville, NJ

Beautiful standing spray from The Yellow Rose Florist in Olive Branch, MS

Beautiful standing spray from The Yellow Rose Florist in Olive Branch, MS

Fall standing spray from Design House Floral in Clarkesville, GA

Fall standing spray from Design House Floral in Clarkesville, GA

What will next week bring? Who knows! Be sure to like us on Facebook for even more beautiful floral designs. If you’re a florist, we want to feature YOUR favorite design of the week right here on Facebook Friday Recap!

Learn how to submit! | See past recap posts!

Treat Ghosts & Goblins on Halloween.. and Their Parents!

With Halloween coming up, the streets will be full of masked marauders and fairy princesses. On Halloween and even the weekend before, parents will be dressing their kids up in scary, funny, cute or just plain weird costumes to celebrate the holiday kids love most! Consider opening your flower shop up to the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating. Not only can it be a lot of fun to see kids in their costumes but sharing your business with the community means that parents will take notice.

Flower Shop HalloweenLet Traditions Be A Way To Reach Out

Build up foot traffic by offering some sweets for the kiddos and simple carnations tied with black and orange ribbon for adults. A small gesture can make a big impression on potential customers. Put a few mums and pumpkins outside (let’s be honest, they are probably out anyway.) and put “Trick-or-Treat With Us!” on your sign. That’s all it takes to have a steady flow of costumed kids and adults dropping in on their way to spooky fun activities.

Encourage your employees to dress up for the day. This adds to the fun atmosphere of your shop. Be sure to take a group photo!

Up The Candy Ante

Put your social media outlets to work. Announce a costume contest online where the winner gets a free arrangement. Ask customers to enter your giveaway by posting this year’s costumes to your shop’s Facebook timeline or create your own unique hashtag for multiple platforms like Twitter and Instagram. When you announce, be sure to include a start and end time for submissions.

Then share share share to get the word out. Post signs in your shop and tell your customers how they can participate. Hosting a fun holiday activity creates buzz for your shop and will always bring more awareness for your business.

After your deadline rolls around, have your employees vote for their favorite or pick a winner based on your shop’s style. If you find yourself with a huge variety of submissions, try breaking the entries into categories. This will let you make multiple “Honorable Mention” announcements like which costume was “Cutest,” “Scariest,” and “Funniest.” All of these posts and picture shares will boost your page’s involvement.  And finally you can announce the “Best Costume” award as your top prize winner.

Enjoy this brisk autumn holiday tradition and use it as a chance to connect one-on-one with your community. With very little planning you can make this Halloween be a stand out day for your flower shop! Bring on the ghosts and goblins!

 

 

Documenting Your Work – Photo Tips for Florists

Petal Closeup As a florist you are creating beauty everyday for others to enjoy and to help celebrate moments in their lives. But how often do you get to enjoy and celebrate your own work? Rarely, right? Between filling orders, making last minute rush deliveries, and trying to promote your shop, you are busy trying to run a business. But a passion for beauty got you into this industry so don’t let a hectic workday stop you from documenting your hard work.

Pictures tell your story, record your work, and become the strongest calling card you can have for new business. Photographing your arrangements is hands down the best way to promote your shop.  Here is a guide to help you make the most of every arrangement by photographing your orders on the go.

Cameras for Flower Photography

You’ll be surprised to learn that you don’t have to have the best and most expensive camera to take good photos of your flowers. The easiest and most beneficial place to share your photos is online so the images don’t have to be huge. Newer smartphones like the iPhone and many Android devices have excellent built-in cameras and photo aps available. This is a camera is always in your pocket so use it!

Point And Shoot CameraAny general digital camera that takes at least a 5MB picture can meet your needs as well. These cameras are often called “point and shoot” cameras because they offer very basic auto settings and are usually under $100. These cameras do not have a detachable lens or manual settings.

If you are ready to step up your game and have more control, a basic DSLR with lens is around $200 and up. These cameras have various auto settings as well as fully manual settings so you can adjust your focus and exposure yourself.

Consider This…

The goal of taking flower photos yourself is to take images of your work often, so a camera that you will keep with you and can use with ease is key. Think about what you are likely to use most often with the least hassle and start there. Familiarize yourself with whatever camera you decide to use. Actually spend a few minutes thumbing through your manual. Learn how to focus, use the auto settings and turn on/off the flash and date stamp. Mastering these basic tasks will immediately give you results you can see.

Digital SLRTips For Photographing Flower Arrangements

  • Clean Composition – The easiest way to make your photos look more professional is to pay attention to your composition. Make sure the table and background is free of clutter or distractions. You might even create a special table in the corner of your work room where you can quickly set an arrangement and snap a few shots. [Read more…]