Once again Flower Shop Network is booming with excitement. Why? Because The Networker’s summer edition is available! Florists–check your mail this week because the summer 2009 edition of The Networker should be hitting your mailbox soon. If you would like to view The Networker (.pdf file), feel free! Here’s some of what you’ll find in The Networker this time:

• News about the enhanced FSNf2f.com sites
• Tips for increasing summer sales
• Cost-effective tips for promoting wedding flowers
• Much more!

We know you’ll love FSN Networker Summer 2009 and hope to find your comments here shortly!

Ask the Expert: what kind of insecticide should I use ?
what kind of insecticide should I use for scale and aphids on my peace lily and how do I apply it? Is there anyway to keep this from happening again? Carol

Plant Expert Reply:

For Aphids and mealybugs I usually recommend a Resmethrin based insecticide. Fertilome makes one called Whitefly & mealybug killer that works well on most houseplants. This product comes in a ready to use (RTU) form and you can spray it directly on the plant. For peace lilies I would begin with a very light misting. Peace lilies are sensitive to many chemicals and any application should be done lightly to minimize any phototoxcity. Keeping the moist level of your peace lily constant and nutrient happy will help reduce insect infestation. Diligence is the key. Keep an eye out for any indication that the insects have come back and treat appropriately.

This week I learned that Flower Shop Network guest writer and best selling mystery writer Kate Collins is about to launch her new website www.katecollinsbooks.com. Many of you will remember the great newsletter she wrote for Flower Shop Network (The Language Of Flowers). While she is exceptionally knowledgeable about the meanings of flowers, Kate’s biggest passion is her mystery series starring Abby Knight, an Indiana florist.

I love mystery novels. If I wasn’t in the flower business, I would love to be a mystery writer. I guess I could combine the two. But, Kate has beat me to it and in such a fabulous way.

Maybe I could solve a mystery instead. Combining my natural curiosity about all things related to florists and discovering the inter workings of a mystery writer.  In essence, I want to know “why a florist”? On my quest to find an answer to this mystery, I decided to go strait to the source. So, I called Kate and Read the rest of Kate Collins Launches New Website For Florist Mystery Series »

The Northeast Floral Expo was held (February 27 – March 1, 2009) in Cromwell, Connecticut. Visitors to the Flower Shop Network booth were given a chance to win a Floral Selection Guide, a complimentary listing on FSN or a complimentary eCommerce website package. Anyone visiting the booth had the opportunity to win by filling out a registration card or by leaving one of their business cards.

The drawing was held the Tuesday morning after our staff returned to the office. We are pleased to announce the winners.

Winner of eCommerce Website Package (Premium Florist Listing + eCommerce Website)

eCommerce Website

Congratulations to Carole’s Flowers & Gifts who was the grand prize winner!

Carole’s Flowers & Gifts
372 Court St
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 747-3855 -  Local

Located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Carole’s Flowers & Gifts also provides floral delivery service to the following areas: Duxbury, MA; Carver, MA; Kingston, MA.

The eCommerce website package consists of a premium florist listing in the Flower Shop Network online florists directory, as well as one of our fully eCommerce enabled flower shop websites.  The complimentary listing and website will run for a full year on Flower Shop Network.

Congratulations to Carole and the rest of the staff at Carole’s Flowers & Gifts, we hope to see you again at next year’s event.

Winner of Premium Florist Listing

Congratulations to The Petal Pusher, the winner of a Premium Florist Listing which will run in the Flower Shop Network online florist directory for one full year.  Flower Shop Network welcomes you as a new member.

Premium Florist Listing

The Petal Pusher
450 Howe Ave
Shelton, CT
(203) 924-2901- Local

Located in Shelton, Connecticut, The Petal Pusher also provides floral delivery service to the following areas: Ansonia, CT; Derby, Ct; Oxford, CT; Seymour, CT

Congratulations to Sherrie, Dick and the rest of the staff at The Petal Pusher. The Flower Shop Network staff looks forward to seeing you at the convention next year.

Winner of FSN Floral Selection Guide

FSN Floral Selection Guide

Congratulation to Ruth Chase Flowers who won The FSN Floral Selection Guide.  The  guide contains 200 pages of vibrant, eye-catching floral selections including the designer recipes for each arrangement.

This should come in handy for Ruth Chase Flowers in New Millford, CT.  Maria Luisa and her staff also provide flower delivery to: Washington, Bridgewater, Sherman, New Preston, Danbury, Brookfiled, Washington Depot, Gaylordsville, Marble Dale, South Kent, Roxbury and Kent, Connecticut.

Congratulations to Maria Luisa and the rest of the staf at Ruth Chase Flowers.  We look forward to seeing you at the convention next year. We hope you create many of the flower arrangements from the Floral Selection Guide through out the year.

The Flower Shop Network staff enjoyed the show tremendously and looks forward to next year’s show.

Flower Shop Network recently announced the recipients of the sales achievement awards for 2008.  FSN President Brock Atwill presented these awards at the company’s annual sales breakfast held this year at the Paragould Community Center in Paragould, Arkansas.

Lynn Reavis took the top honors and was declared the 2008 Salesperson of the Year. Congratulations are also in order for annual sales contest winners. Leslie Cox, who was named Rookie of the Year in 2007, joins Cathy Condray in receiving all-expense paid vacation packages.

Established in March 1999, Flower Shop Network, Inc. is the parent company of FlowerShopNetwork.com, an online florists’ directory providing web hosting and internet advertising for over 6,000 member florists across the United States and Canada.

For more information, call 1-800-858-9925 or visit www.FlowerShopNetwork.com.

Lynn Reavis of Flower Shop Network

Cathy Condray and Leslie Cox of Flower Shop Network

Paragould Arkansas is one of the many towns across the nation suffering from massive power outages caused by the Tuesday ice storm and the location of Flower Shop Network’s corporate offices. Almost everyone in this town of 28,000 is without power.  Even during this regional catastrophe, the Flower Shop Network staff has been able to work without much difficulty thanks to a natural gas generator.

I am thankful that Brock and Loranne Atwill, Flower Shop Network owners had the forethought to install a natural gas generator for just such emergencies.  After a cold night at home, I was able Wednesday morning to come to work where there was heat, hot water, a shower, a microwave and a stove.  Not only did I find a warm office when I arrived at work, I found an open invitation.  I, like all other FSN employees, was encouraged to bring my family (including my dogs to work) where they could be warm as well.  That’s how it is here at Flower Shop Network.  We are more of a family than a place of business and when the chips are down we take care of each other.

Last night several of the employees and their families chose to spent the night here.  They brought sleeping bags and approached the situation as a camping adventure.  Along with sleeping bags, they brought food and games.  They turned a crisis into a fun party by cooking, sharing and making the best of it.  Between last night and this morning everyone had a chance to use the shower.

We are weathering this storm the best we can. For those of you in the same boat, we wish you the best.  It’s funny  - as we learn that a co-worker’s neighborhood power is up, we react as if they have won the lottery. Hopefully we will all be winners soon. Although it looks like it maybe well into February before some of us have power.

Two award-winning packaging designs by Joshua Hudson, Creative Director of Flower Shop Network were chosen to appear in Quayside Publishing’s book, “1000 Packaging Designs: A Comprehensive Guide To Packing It In.” His work stood out among the thousands of entries submitted worldwide.

A lifelong resident of Paragould, Hudson holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in graphic design from Arkansas State University. An active community member, Josh has provided graphic design services for the Delta Symphony Orchestra, as well as contributing his art work for Paragould’s Downtown Art ‘N Stroll Event.

“We congratulate Joshua on his continued success and recognition,” said Loranne Atwill, VP of FlowerShopNetwork.com. “Creativity and graphic design are an integral part of our business. We are proud that Joshua is a member of our team.

Flower Shop Network was featured on Lifetime Television’s “The Balancing Act” this past October. Now its FSN affiliate Wedding and Party Network’s turn. Missed it? You can still watch the Flower Shop Network segment.

Wedding and Party Network will be featured on Lifetime’s Television’s “The Balancing Act” on Tuesday January 6th at 7:00am EST (6:00am CST). “The Balancing Act” is a half-hour, magazine-formatted television series that empowers women seeking personal and professional growth while maintaining a career, family and home on a daily basis.

Wedding and Party Network Vice-President Loranne Atwill will sit down with Danielle Knox, “The Balancing Act” host, to discuss the convenience and advantages of finding wedding and party vendors and suppliers online. During the interview Loranne will address the ways consumers can get tips and ideas, efficiently find providers or supplies and organize their wedding or special event online.

This is one more way FlowerShopNetwork.com and its affiliate WeddingandPartyNetwork.com are ensuring that our retail florist members have the best visibility possible on the Internet and offline as well. It is, also, one more way we give consumers the information they need to make their lives easier.

Joyeux Noel. Feliz Navidad. Mo’adim Lesimkha. Mele Kalikimaka. Merry Christmas.

Kier, Brynn, and Matt of Flower Shop Network hope to spread smiles from our hearts to yours. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

No matter how you choose to say it this year, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Flower Shop Network!!! As we share time with friends and loved ones, we are also very thankful for you. We wish you the best of moments and happy memories this holiday season.

Hey everyone! Just thought you would want to know that the newest addition of the Flower Shop Network monthly newsletter is up and raring to go! I highly recommend this newsletter for anyone wanting to learn more about silk flowers whether it be how to decorate with silk flowers, sending silk flowers, what materials are used to make silk flowers and other neat little tidbits. It’s a great read and I know you’ll love it so check it out.

Take me to the Silk Flowers Newsletter!