Benton, IL Florists

Benton Flower Shop News

Maker Space: Eden Garrett's idea blossomed - NWAOnline

Northwest Arkansas."I love Northwest Arkansas," she says. "There are so many opportunities for growth here. And because I work out of a truck, I can go from Fayetteville to Rogers to Springdale to Bentonville and all of those towns in between -- so I catch more people than just being in the middle of Springfield."Garrett says part of the process of becoming a successful business person was learning how to be flexible when business was in a slow period."I'm just motivated every day to push forward and make the sales higher each day -- even if it's really slow, even if, that day, no one wants flowers," she says. "I'll think, 'OK, what else can I do? Can I do deliveries? Can I announce on social media that all bouquets are $5 or that delivery is free on this particular day?' Each day, I'm going to make as much money as I can and provide an excellent product."She's also available for parties and weddings; one popular option for celebrations are the custom flower crowns partygoers can make inside the truck.Garrett says she's wanted to own a business since she was a child. Her first business idea -- a boutique that would serve as both a makeup salon as well as an event space, so you could get ready for a party right there at the site -- came to her when she was just 10 years old."My mom owned her own business, and I was just super fascinated by it," she says. "I've always known I didn't want to have a 9-to-5 job where I sit behind a desk all day -- that's just not who I am. I've always wanted to own my own business."It's clear that her youth isn't holding her back. Eden's Flower Truck was recognized at the 2019 Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Awards Ceremony, and she's opening up her first brick and mortar store called Eden's Botanicals this month. She says opening a storefront was in her five-year plan but, when she found a perfect location on North Steele Boulevard, her business instincts told her it was the right time to make a move."The storefront will mostly be for workshops and parties -- more of an event space," says Garrett, who adds that the mobile truck will still be used for floral sales. "We'll also sell flower gifts [in the store]. I'm super excited."Garrett is already looking towards the future and making plans -- big plans."I want to own some land, hopefully around the Fayetteville area, and have a mini-Magnolia Market, similar to [Fixer Upper stars] Chip and Joanna Gaines' business," she says. "I want there to be a few cottages, like an Airbnb, and then also have a spot to grow my own flowers so I don't have to buy them wholesale any more. And I would sell gifts and flowers and other merchandise and have it all be in one giant property, a destination that people from all over come to."If what she's accomplished so far is any indication, the goals of her 10-year plan may just be closer than she thinks..inline_item { float: left; display: inline; }div class="inline__bloc... https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2020/feb/13/maker-space-eden-garrett-s-idea-blossom/

Business Spotlight: Blooming Business - Springfield Business Journal

Springfield. Eden’s Flower Truck, a similar business concept, launched in Springfield in 2018. Owner Eden Garrett earlier this year moved the business to Arkansas, where the flower truck serves the Bentonville and Rogers areas.Hartman says she’s starting to see the trend grow nationally.“Since we’ve started, I’ve seen more pop up across the country,” Hartman says. “I still get emails pretty frequently asking how to start a flower truck, and the whole concept is gaining momentum.”Kate Penn, CEO of the Society of American Florists, says retail floral sales have been growing – to the tune of $35 billion in 2017, a $2 billion increase from the year prior, according to a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report on personal consumption expenditures.Penn says the mobile floral business is catching on, and she describes it as “experiential, interactive purchasing.”“There’s a lot of innovation and entrepreneurialism in the flower-buying space right now,” Penn says, noting floral sales have steadily increased during the last decade. “There is a big trend across retail right now, and the floral industry is no different. It’s the idea of trying to do something creative that makes what you’re purchasing interactive and memorable and fun.”The consumer appeal, she says, is being able to walk down the street, stop at a flower truck and purchase flowers by the stem, or create an individual bouquet. “It’s a super smart business model,” Penn says. ... https://sbj.net/stories/business-spotlight-blooming-business,66208?

Court again rules against florist who refused gay couple - The Spokesman-Review

She refused. Ferguson filed a complaint under the state’s consumer protection and anti-discrimination statutes, and the couple filed a separate lawsuit. A Benton County Superior Court judge combined the cases and reviewed the arguments, eventually issuing an injunction against Stutzman requested by Ferguson and awarding damages to the couple.The Washington Supreme Court upheld both decisions, and Stutzman appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. But before it could be argued there, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to create a cake for a same-sex wedding, saying that during the process of deciding whether he was violating that state’s anti-discrimination laws, a member of the Civil Rights Commission made disparaging remarks about the baker’s religion.The U.S. Supreme Court sent the Arlene’s Flowers case back to the Washington Supreme Court to reconsider it in light of the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision. Attorneys for Stutzman argued the cases were the same, contending Ferguson was showing animus toward religion by taking action against Arlene’s Flowers but not against a Seattle coffee shop that refused to serve Christians. But McCloud wrote there is key distinction between the two cases because the Colorado case involved religious intolerance from an adjudicatory body. The only two such bodies – the trial court and the state Supreme Court – showed no such intolerance. The attorney general’s office isn’t an adjudicatory body and the coffee shop case is irrelevant, she wrote. The court also rejected Stutzman’s arguments that applying the state’s anti-discrimination laws to her refusal to provide floral arrangements for a same-sex wedding violates her constitutional rights. “Discrimination based on same sex-marriage constitutes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,” McCloud wrote. Enforcing the anti-discrimination law in this case does not violate her rights of artistic expression because it doesn’t fit with previous cases that protect that right. Allowing such an exemption would create a two-tiered system system the law, similar to saying a dime-store lunch counter would have to serve an interracial couple but an upscale bistro wouldn’t, she wrote, quoting from a friend of the court brief.Stutzman can still freely practice her religion, McCloud wrote. She was never asked to attend the wedding ceremony. She has provided floral arrangements for weddings of Muslims and atheists, and wasn’t endorsing Islam or atheism by doing that.“After careful review on remand, we are confident that the courts resolved this dispute with tolerance, and we therefore find no reason to change our original judgment,” the court concluded. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/jun/06/court-again-rules-against-florist-who-refused-gay-/

'The Fire Within': 9 years of honoring Great Falls women in business - Great Falls Tribune

I find it as an honor that they thought I stood out among the other nominees...to me a little surprising, but it's wonderful." She started at Riverview Floral in Fort Benton where her boss pointed out her eye for color. From there it was five years of delivering at Sally's Flowers, Electric City Conservatory for seven years and finally her own store in 2010. "She has hired staff with no floral experience and turned them into designers," Evans said. "Kari offers flower design classes throughout the year...as she shared her knowledge and skills with others," Evans said. Johnson said she has fun being a part of local events, but one of her biggest passions is being a part of weddings and teaching her flower classes. "I like to be able to help the brides and help them select what flowers they want to make them look beautiful," she said. "...the flower classes that I teach, those are always exciting, because I get to share my knowledge with the ladies." My Viola had outgrown its first building within four years and now resides at 716 Central Ave., where she said she's able to offer more classes and have more employees. In the future, Johnson sees herself and her employees continuing to serve the community by providing their flowers and services. "Still doing the fun events that we do like the Russell and the art auctions...," Johnson said. "I just hope I can continue doing what we do and expanding." As spring has shown its sun rays and prom season is here, Johnson said from now until Mother's Day is going to be full of flower galore. Susan Crocker of The Good Wood Guys Crocker is the 2019 Aspire Award recipient. She was nominated by business partner and husband, Chris Crocker who kept his nomination a secret. "I was shocked...I had no idea," she said. "It was pretty humbling. There's a lot of pretty amazing people in Great Falls, Montana, and so to know people thought I was doing something awesome felt really good." The Good Wood Guys live by their words as "born ra... https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2019/04/01/the-fire-within-9-years-honoring-great-falls-women-business/3314905002/

Caught on camera: Man burglarizes east Tulsa florist with toddler in tow - KTUL

What the gentleman took was of no real value, just some tools we've accumulated over the last 30 years," said Trey Benton, the owner of Greenleaf Wholesale.Benton's business is the one that was hit. His concern, and every one of the employees that we spoke to, was for that little girl."As a father, seeing how he treated a child that he would even bring along with him during this incident," he said.The girl dutifully follows him around, and several times reaches for him, but the man almost sees right through her."It just broke my heart seeing how many times that girl reached up to her daddy, I'm assuming. It was really troubling," said Benton.Finally, as the two walk off into a grassy field, the man acknowledges the little girl, picking her up and carrying her away.Anyone with information is asked to call Tulsa Crime Stoppers. http://ktul.com/news/local/man-robs-east-tulsa-florist-with-toddler-in-tow

Palmer Florist Persists Despite No Easter Church | Joliet, IL Patch - Joliet, IL Patch

Joliet Patch's growing list of open and closed businesses, you can do so here. Paul Palmer, owner of Palmer Florist in Joliet. Image via John Ferak/Patch Related: Illinois Coronavirus Update April 9: 462 Deaths Feed A First Responder Becomes Hit For Jody's Hot Dogs Kafe De Kasa Back In Business Thanks To Window Joliet's Dan's Homemade Candies Still Going Strong... https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/palmer-florist-persists-despite-no-easter-church

Sugar Flower owner creates intricate cake designs in backyard of her Cedar Rapids home - The Gazette

I was dabbling in both things — design and food.”After operating her own cafe for three years, Smith earned a degree in graphic design from Southern Illinois University in 2007. She and her husband, Loughton Smith, moved to Cedar Rapids in 2011 and she began working at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center, operated by Kirkwood Community College’s hospitality management program, in 2013.“They wanted me to work with edible flowers, and I’d never worked with the stuff before,” she recalled. “It just kind of fell into my lap, and I just started helping the pastry chefs with wedding cakes.”Smith became an adjunct instructor — “basic, advanced and wedding cake classes” — in Kirkwood’s baking program, where her husband is an instructor. She started thinking about starting her own business about three years ago.“I just decided I wanted to steer my own course,” Smith said. “I thought, ‘Well, I’ve got my studio here and I can make it into a little cake boutique.’”Sugar Flower launched in late 2019. Smith continued teaching but stopped working regularly in the hotel kitchen. The studio is a small building in Smith’s backyard. It may have been built as a hobbyist’s workshop or children’s playhouse, but it has stainless steel countertops, plumbing, electricity, and ample natural light.Smith bakes Sugar Flower cakes in her home’s kitchen, then takes them to the studio for assembly and detailing.Working out of her home means low overhead costs at the expense of some convenience and efficiency.“I have to do certain things in one p... https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/business/sugar-flower-cakes-cedar-rapids-jennifer-smith-20201113

Josh Bilicki, Rich Mar Florist and Lemons of Love Bring Cancer Awareness to the Roval - Kickin' the Tires

Now today, Lemons of Love shares chemo care packages with cancer patients around the world and also provides programming at its Lemons of Love Cancer Resource Center located in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.This weekend at the @CLTMotorSpdwy Roval, we’re partnering with @LemonsOfLove14 and @RichMarFlorist to bring breast cancer awareness to the forefront. We’ll be running this beautiful #51 Ford Mustang in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race. Learn more ????https://t.co/eU9QgRUygR pic.twitter.com/v1VLnmxBHg— Josh Bilicki (@joshbilicki) October 6, 2020This weekend, Rich Mar Florist will adorn the hood of Bilicki’s No. 51 Ford Mustang as a co-primary sponsor. The company isn’t new to NASCAR as a sponsor or tracks in general as the florist company is now a proud track partner of both Pocono Raceway and Dover International Speedway.“Josh and I have worked on small sponsorships these past two seasons, I am honored to finally have a primary sponsorship with him,” said Jonathan Morrissey, Vice President of Rich Mar Florist.  “Cancer awareness is near and dear to our family, so I want to thank Josh and Rick Ware Racing for embracing it.  Josh is a great road course driver, and I am very excited to see the results this weekend.”This Sunday’s Bank of America Roval 400 will be Bilicki’s 18th start in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020 as he also will also have partners The Builders Outlet Super Store (BOSS), Custom Fiberglass Molding, Insurance King, and Fort Worth Screen Printing on board.In 18 NCS starts this season, Bilicki has a best finish of 25th twice coming at both Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway.The Bank of America Roval 400 NASCAR Cup Series race will take place on Sunday, October 11th at 2:30PM ET.  It will be televised on NBC.?????? pic.twitter.com/6JAfZs8YFQ— Josh Bilicki (@joshbilicki) October 7, 2020Photo Credit: Josh Bilicki Racing... https://kickinthetires.net/nascar/josh-bilicki-rich-mar-florist-and-lemons-of-love-bring-cancer-awareness-to-the-roval/

Chicago Florist Delivers Free Pandemic Pick-Me-Ups - WTTW News

There haven’t been many special events since mid-March – even before the statewide stay-at-home order took effect – when, in an early attempt to prevent spread of the coronavirus, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker put the kibosh on gatherings of 50 or more people.“I had a bunch of St. Patrick’s Day events coming up. Within that week they were all canceled. And within a matter of days the event industry laid flat. Everything was canceled. The entire (special events) industry was at a standstill,” she said. “I would say 95% of my business was done with or forfeited within a matter of days … I didn’t even think something like that was possible. It was like a dream, one long day, because the days blend into each other, you know?”Since then, Breslof pivoted, from special events to special deliveries.She created a gender-reveal arrangement (in pink) to expecting parents.She delivered flowers to a bride who postponed her wedding, sent from the woman’s bridal party.“She said ‘This is the best thing that was ever given to me – other than my ring of course.’ And I was a part of that … when I hear feedback like that, I cry,” Breslof said.And it felt good when – for the first time in weeks – she crafted a bouquet for a bride who went through with an early May wedding on its long-scheduled date.Ananda Zoe Breslof and her 21-month-old daughter. (Courtesy Ananda Zoe Breslof)Then there’s the arrangements sent to bereaving relatives.Breslof said she doesn’t ask customers questions about the circumstances, though a couple have shared with her that she’ll be delivering flowers to someone who lost a loved one to COVID-19.“I’m hearing stories … I hear the way,” she said.Sometimes the stories are more tender than they are sad.“I’m getting people who are ordering flowers for friends who are having a difficult time with this, birthdays they can’t really celebrate. People who just really want – they’re stuck inside now – they want something pretty to look at,” she said. “It’s nature, isn’t it? Being in nature elevates your mood exponentially. Flowers provide that.”Some flowers have gone to people who never ordered or paid for them.Breslof, who has been using Facebook to promote her business, has also been using social media to solicit requests for health care workers, volunteers and lonely hearts deserving of a free floral pick-me-up.“I’ve been doing … several free bouquets as a thank you,” she said.People can nominate anyone who they think could use flowers to “cheer them up a bit.”Deliveries have gone out to an ER nurse whose husband is an ER doctor, a team at Northwestern Memori... https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/09/chicago-florist-delivers-free-pandemic-pick-me-ups