Ah, it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…despite the miniature glacial formation that is our driveway here at DBS.  Why, you ask?  Well…I have discovered a new program that will allow me to upload all of your account numbers AT ONCE for use as a website login. 

So what, you say?  Oh, this is like a MIRACLE!  Once I have this done, all you’ll ever need to know is your DBS Account Number and you’ll be able to get into the wholesale ordering section without having to ASK TO BE ADDED TO THE DATABASE.  And I can put all SORTS of things on our server that I can password protect that you can have access to.  Woo Hoo!

I know, I get too excited about these things…but this program automates a process I used to do by hand (see the login page up there for details) and if the server ever loses my data, all I have to do is click a button.  Problem solved.  I’ll still eat cookies though…a gal needs her 3 PM sugar fix, after all.

Stay tuned…I hope to have the site uploaded to reflect this change within the next two weeks.  I’ll let you know when I’m done.

Bless your hearts, folks who made this fine software…and you, our patient customers. 

Have a great Superbowl weekend!

Amy

Okay, here’s the disclaimer…we advertise in GCP&S.

Last fall (September, I think) we found out that Branch Smith had sold GCP&S to GIE Media.  We were saddened when a few folks we had grown to love working with were let go during the transition, but our favorite editor Yale Youngblood was still on board, so we had HOPE.

When reviewing the media kits for 2009, we learned that things were a’changin at GCP&S…new format (tabloid, which I personally don’t care for), new style, new focus and increased circulation.  We decided to give it a go, with our first ad being in the January edition.  I had my doubts, I’ve got to say.  It all sounded chaotic to me and I couldn’t really visualize what they were attempting to do.

Well, folks…I started getting the calls more than a week ago, and I got my copy on Friday…and I have never been so PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!

Though it’s a tabloid, it’s WONDERFUL.  Why?  For the first time, Garden Center Products & Supplies is all about…PRODUCTS AND SUPPLIES.  That’s right…it’s like looking through a multi-vendor catalog of must-have items.  The tabloid format allows for MUCH larger photos, ads and more (yes, it pains me to admit that tabloid can be useful) and the layout is design perfection.  Things just POP off the page. 

In retrospect, what they’ve done is a no-brainer…take product, showcase it…but in all honesty, I’ve never seen it done so well before.  Other publications have SECTIONS dedicated to product, but the publication itself is also peppered with articles.  Which is fine, but when I’m looking for new product, pretty much all I want so see is…NEW PRODUCT!  The simplicity is divine!  And did I mention all the calls we’ve been getting?  The calls?  More calls than we’ve gotten on an ad in a really long time?  So, it’s WORKING!

I’ll stop gushing now…but you should check it out for sure.  Anyone in search of something fresh to add to their line will be enthralled.  Click the link and get your own copy…because I’m not parting with mine.  

http://www.greenbeampro.com/content/view/504/381/

I headed to Atlanta earlier this month with no small amount of apprehension, since the media has been pelting us with doom & gloom.  By the time the show closed on the first day, I was feeling pretty darn good – we wrote a nice number of orders.  By the time the show closed on Tuesday I was feeling giddy… it was our 2nd best Atlanta show ever.  I’m still somewhat surprised, but think I’ve realized why.

We sell a lot of inexpensive, useful items.  We’ve always stayed away from the ‘fluff’ and the decorative and kept with the basics.  These are the items that will continue to sell even when people are being careful with what they spend.

We also have the low $50.00 minimum order.  We don’t have minimums on the individual items either, so it’s easy to try new things.  Honestly, it’s rare for us to write a $50.00 order, but we don’t scare new customers off with a high minimum.

I don’t know if those are the reasons we had a great show, but whatever the reason, I’m certainly glad.  I’m heading off to the NY Intl. Gift Fair this week, and hope it will be as successful.  My mom will be helping me this year – booth #7145 – come see us!

No matter how many times it happens, I still get all weak in the knees when I answer the phone and the person on the other end says ‘Hi, this is blah blah blah from Martha Stewart Living’.  Just thinking about it makes me all tingly!  Oh, I’m sorry…what were we talking about?  Right.  Flower arranging stuff.

On page 98 of the January 2009 issue, there it is: An Arranger’s Tool Kit.  Garden gloves, ties, tape, frogs, floral foam, shears, knives, floral scissors, stem strippers, flower picks, water picks, floral adhesive, flower food and chicken wire…we’ve got it all right here, and your customers will be looking for it in your store!

We’ll even send you out a custom assortment of stuff so you can make your own tool kit…pack it up and sell it as such with an SRP of right around $150.00. 

Whether you love her or love to hate her, when Martha mentions something, people WANT IT and when they FIND IT they BUY IT.  You won’t even have to work to sell the stuff! 

We always get excited when flower arranging comes ‘back around’.  It’s really how our business got started, and I often refer to our founder Dorothy Biddle as the Martha Stewart of the 1940′s…she lectured on flower arranging, table setting, home decor and much more.  Supplies are still hard to find, we hear, but we’ve got anything and everything to meet the needs of arrangers that walk through your shop door.  And our minimum is only $50, so you can easily give things a try.

I’ve got to get back to staring at the photo in MSL and smiling broadly…you go on ahead and phone, fax, email or order online.  Let us know if you have any questions, too.  We’re happy to help!

 Best,

Amy