Floral Shop Accounting 101 Where do you go when you need essential flower shop accounting, financial management, and benchmarking best practices?...
SAF Creates New Tools to Promote Gifts for Grads
Graduations will look a little different this year with the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. But that means florists have new and different marketing...
Potential Pitfalls in Independent Contractor Classification
Many businesses have chosen to classify some on their payrolls as “independent contractors” instead of traditional employees. The distinction is...
SAF Explains New Federal Overtime Pay Regulations
Starting January 1, 2020, a new Department of Labor rule will make 1.3 million American workers eligible for overtime pay. What does the rule mean...
SAF Webinar Tackles Missteps in Service — and How to Fix Them
“What flowers do you want us to use?” “Is $55 OK?” “We have a delivery fee, too — is that all right?” If you overhear these kinds of cringe-worthy...
Looking to Improve Sales and Service? You May Need to Go Undercover
Ever wonder what your staff really sounds like to customers when they call to place an order with your store? Are they professional and efficient?...
SAF Slashes Prices on Statement Stuffers
Statement stuffers are an easy, effective way to create floral reminders and keep your name in front of customers. The Society of American Florists...
3 Spring Design Trends to Perk Up Sales
Pop quiz: Who is in charge of profitability at your store? If you said, “the owner” or “the manager,” we’ll understand, but according to industry...
Changes To Meals And Entertainment Tax Deductibility
As noted in the December 22, 2017 Week In Review, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act passed by Congress made significant changes to many portions of the tax...
Google’s ‘Small Thanks’ Campaign Offers Free, Personalized Marketing Materials
Have rave online reviews that you want to promote in-store, too? For a limited time, Google is offering small business owners a free marketing kit,...
Pricing Guidelines and Floral Shop Accounting 101
Where do you go when you need essential flower shop accounting, financial management, and benchmarking best practices? Does this crucial information...
Can Facebook Messenger Bots Make You More Productive?
How does selling more arrangements while having customer service questions answered at the same time sound? What if you could accomplish all this...
SAF Partners with Details Flowers Software for Special Member Savings
The average couple spends more than $35,000 on their wedding — an increase of more than $2,600 from 2015 — and an all-time high, according to the...
Poinsettia Care Tips
History and Legend of the Poinsettia Joel Robert Poinsett, who was an amateur botanist and the first ambassador to Mexico, first introduced...
New SAF Graphics Spread Holiday Cheer
“Season’s Greetings,” “Send an Instant Smile for the Holidays,” and “National Poinsettia Day” are new additions to the Society of American Florists’...
Give Poinsettia Flier and Brochure to Customers
Remind customers that university research has shown that poinsettias are not poisonous to people and animals. The Society of American Florists...
Promote “Flower Power” with New Graphics
The Society of American Florists’ new “Flower Power” marketing materials — including a shareable Facebook image, Facebook cover image and web...
Promote “Happiness Delivered” with New Graphics
Rutgers University research shows flowers create instant delight and have a long-term positive effect on moods. The Society of American Florists’...
Petal It Forward Video Reaches Nearly 223K Views and Counting
The Society of American Florists’ 2-minute YouTube video showing the emotional responses to the Petal It Forward effort in October has racked up...
Petal It Forward Prep: Logistics Checklist
The countdown is on for Petal It Forward on Wednesday, Oct. 11, and now is the time to prepare, said Society of American Florists Vice President of...
Members Save 10% on Crystal Media’s Live Facebook Training
Facebook is one of the best social media platforms a business owner can use to build their business. But with constant changes and updates, it feels...
Free Social Media Training for SAF Members
Social media is crucial to business success. That’s why the Society of American Florists has arranged a special social media training opportunity...
Hiring? Use SAF’s Job Descriptions and Employee Handbook
The Society of American Florists provides members with exclusive access to job descriptions and an employee handbook, both tailored specifically for...
Customer Wants to Stay Anonymous — Is that Legal?
“Are there legal ramifications if I refuse an order when the customer wishes to remain anonymous to the recipient of the flowers?” Need to have a...
Get Paid for the Goods and Services You Deliver
Have you been dinged by a bounced check? The Society of American Florists has an app to make collections a breeze, and Skip Paal, AAF, of the...
Free 15-Minute Legal Consultation for Members
Have a legal question? Need to have a fast chat with an attorney? Jaimee Layton, owner of Forked River Florist in Forked River, New Jersey, did and...
Want to Improve Design Room Efficiency? Talk to your Designers
How many times a day does your designer walk to a water source to fill a vase? How much energy each week is devoted to recovering misplaced...
Apply to Win Floral Management Marketer of the Year Award
What do a unique store app and loyalty program, a new floral holiday, a rebranded bridal spin-off business, and a partnership with a Major League...
The Easter Bunny Loves Flowers
Remind social media followers it’s time to hop on over to pick up flowers for Easter. The Society of American Florists provides members with four...
Are You Leaving Money on the Design Bench?
Cost of goods sold and labor are two controllable expenses that can make or break your floral shop. Buying right and using the correct markup are...
Connect to the Industry’s Insurance Experts
Since 1887, Hortica has uniquely focused on the floral industry and has a vested interest in the success of both the industry and your business. In...
Make Opportunity Knock for Your Business
You have a potentially great idea, but you aren’t exactly sure how to put it into action at your business. Or, you know that you need to make some...
Control Cost of Goods Sold with SAF’s Spreadsheets
The Society of American Florists can help members control cost of goods sold, develop current and accurate pricing, and assist bridal customers with...
How to Defend Your Business With Poise
A few weeks ago, a man had some beef with Wendy’s, which resulted in a now famous Twitter exchange. The fast food company posted a photo of someone...
SAF Members Save Up to 85% Off Prescriptions
Prescriptions can add up. That’s why the Society of American Florists has partnered with Hortica to get members, their families, employees and their...
Post Valentine’s Day Facebook Graphics
Does this graphic make your heart smile? It likely will make consumers smile — and spur them to order Valentine’s Day flowers. The Society of...
Free WebBlast to Reveal 5 Steps to Profitable Weddings and Events
As a wedding and event florist, you're constantly bombarded with opportunities to make more revenue. But if your profits are not growing in tandem...
Recover Bad Checks in a Snap
Are you spending time trying to collect bounced checks instead of running your business? The Society of American Florists has an app for that. SAF...
Save $500 on a New Vehicle
When it was time to replace an older vehicle, Susan Palazzo and her daughter, Nicole Palazzo, of City Line Florist remembered the Society of...
Ready-to-Go Graphics, Scripts for Small Business Saturday
Update your social networks and get followers ready to support your shop on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26. American Express provides free...
Have You Received a Bounced Check?
The Society of American Florists and Money Transfer Systems Inc., a leader in electronic check re-presentment and recovery, have partnered to bring...
Members Receive Prescription Savings
Have expensive prescriptions? Looking for an added bonus for your staff? SAF has partnered with Hortica Insurance and Employee Benefits to get...
Small Business Saturday Prep: Rally Your Online Community
Encourage consumers to support your shop on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26. American Express provides free customizable marketing resources. Among...
Small Business Saturday Prep: Dress Up Your Store
Encourage consumers to support your shop on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26. American Express provides free customizable marketing resources. Among...
Section 179: Work Vehicles and What You Need to Know
In just the first three-quarters of 2016, members bought 71 vehicles using the $500 cash allowance though the Society of American Florists Vehicle...
Start Prepping Today for Small Business Saturday
Consumers may be thinking jack-o-lanterns and elections now, but before you know it they'll have Christmas on the brain — and small business owners...
Members Save Big During Ram Commercial Truck Season
When your business calls for a little more hauling power, you need a vehicle that can handle the job as well as the road. And with a long-lasting...
Married Couples Try Vow Renewal Ceremonies
As more married couples renew their vows, vendors who are on the lookout for this work and know how to attract these couples stand to benefit. "With...
Members Receive Discounts on FCA Vehicles
Shopping for a new car or work vehicle? All SAF members and family members (in the same home) qualify for a $500 cash allowance on the purchase or...
Get COGS Under Control
If you’ve been a retail florist for a while, you’ve undoubtedly seen articles about Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). You know that if you are going to...
Best Practices for a Better Sales Analysis
Controlling cost of goods sold (COGS) is a function of two things: Your buying strategy and how well you stick to your pricing formulas in the...
Quick Tips on Conversions
If you’re like most florists, website revenue represents 30 to 40 percent of business. Many of these purchases are from local customers already...
Get Your Work Vehicle Ready for Summer Driving
It’s plain fact that certain vehicle components wear down with time and use. The effect is especially pronounced for work vehicles on the go all day...
Best Practices for Time-Crunched Customers (and Stressed-Out Staff)
We’ve all seen it happen: A frazzled customer starts blurting out an order (“I need tulips delivered to 123 Main Street by noon today!”) before your...
SAF Members Save Big During RAM Commercial Truck Season
Tackle the most intimidating jobs with a dependable Ram Commercial Truck. Right now, get a great deal during Ram Commercial Truck Season. The $500...
Florists Ponder Pricing Strategies
How do you set prices? Do you offer “charm” prices (those ending in the number 9) or rounded prices? Do you charge for delivery and services...
SAF Women’s Day Campaign Reaches Hundreds of Thousands
Hearing more chatter about Women’s Day this year? Don’t be surprised. Hundreds of thousands of consumers now know more about Women’s Day, thanks to...
On Review Sites, Be Fast and Open to Improve Ratings
How far would you go to correct a handful of bad reviews on Yelp? In California, restaurateur Andrew Gruel told The New York Times how he recently...
Meet the Elite: SAF’s 2015 Outstanding Varieties Winners
Everyone loves a winner. This month's issue of Floral Management is flush with them. From the winners of SAF’s annual awards, to the floral...
How Some Mini Pumpkins Saved Thanksgiving For One Oklahoma Florist
Do you struggle to sell the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece: a long and low candelabra design? You're not alone. After watching Thanksgiving...
Customer Service Protocol Empowers Employees to Put Out Fires
Dealing with angry, disappointed customers is an unfortunate reality of retail. And if your employees are always running to you to put out these...
New Internship Matches Business Students with Floral Industry Companies
Floral industry members looking for a way to find motivated staff members and “try out” prospective long-term employees have a new resource...
How to Click With Brides to Be on Social Media
Social media is an enticing tool to court brides-to-be. (After all, it's free!) But with 1.5 billion Facebook users, 316 million Twitter users, 300...
A Discount for Prescription Drugs, Exclusively For SAF Members
SAF membership is good for your health — literally! SAF has partnered with Hortica Insurance and Employee Benefits, to get members, their families...
Pick Up Some Practical Tips from The Knot’s ‘Dream Wedding’ Series
The idea that lots (and lots) of people weigh in on a bride and groom’s wedding decisions isn’t new — but would you ever encourage a couple to...
A Message from the SAF President
Watch SAF President Shirley Lyons, AAF, PFCI, discuss how SAF membership benefits your business.
Score Some Coverage in Your Local Business Journal
Many SAF members can attest that a little press goes a long way. With little to no costs, you can spread your name, boost your credibility,...
SAF Health Care Resource Center
On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to...
Radio Script: Fill ‘Er Up
Instructions for use: This 60-second radio script offers the opportunity to promote your shop in the community. You customize the commercial by...