Albin Hagstrom & Son in Pierson, Florida grows many types of greens that can be used in Christmas arrangements, including magnolia, cypress, cedar and more.
The Society of American Florists’ membership includes all segments of the industry — and that community is the heart of SAF. This bi-weekly feature will spotlight SAF members sharing inspirational stories, professional insights, and the opportunity to form new industry connections.
Erik Hagstrom is fourth-generation at Albin Hagstrom & Son, one of the nation’s top producers of leatherleaf fern and other cut foliage. Growing up in the business, Hagstrom found it fun to play in the boxes, shipping trucks, pallet jacks, and with staple guns and more. After high school, he left the industry to pursue a career in motorsports. He interned for NASCAR and accepted a job there after graduating college. Hagstrom gained a lot of corporate experience but when there was an opening at his family’s business, he decided to change careers. Hagstrom is now the general manager, handling the sales and relationships with customers.
“I have been here now for 26 years and still love it,” Hagstrom says. “Family business is awesome and I love the fact our company has multi-generational employees and many have been here for 30, 40, 50 years.”
Biggest Challenge
The company’s biggest challenge are hurricanes, including Hurricane Ian which caused damage to the property in September.
“We can prepare as much as possible but if a Category 3 or greater comes in here, we are toast,” he says. “In 2016 and 2017, we were hit back-to-back with glancing blows. That was very costly and forever altered our area. Many farms closed, labor left the area due to lack of production and insurance companies stopped or cancelled policies on farmland. It is by far the one thing that keeps us up at night.”
Secret to Success
Hagstrom credits his success to the relationships he’s built over years.
“Personal relationships take a long time to cultivate,” he says. “I am pretty good at remembering small things about people. terrible with names, but I can remember what your hobby was, what you disliked or liked, etc.”
Why SAF?
“The floral industry is not that large, so having a top-notch industry association is very important,” Hagstrom says.
The most important aspect of being an SAF member is the government advocacy work SAF does, he says. “Knowing we have someone watching out for us in the floral industry at the federal level is paramount,” Hagstrom says.
He also enjoys attending SAF’s conventions and participating in online forums to maintain communication with others in the industry.
“Pierson is a small town, and sometimes we can become isolated from some of the larger metro area issues and problems,” Hagstrom says. “By keeping us connected to all parts of the country and industry we are able to maintain a larger picture of what’s happening today — and possibly the future.”
Hagstrom was recently featured on SAF’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Do you know a member who should have a chance in the spotlight? Email Stephanie Brady, project manager for SAF.
Stephanie Brady is the project manager for the Society of American Florists.
