Last week, AWE asked the 2020 AWE Awards nominees to share how the pandemic is changing the way they do business. We sat down (virtually) with Mary, owner of Funky Petals North Edmonton, to discuss how her business has adapted to continue operating in a world where “business as usual” is no longer an option.
Mary Coghlan-Tibbetts was at her local grocery store a few weeks ago when she saw something that didn’t sit well with her.
“There was a customer who was acting very rude to one of the ladies working behind the counter. I was like, ‘Seriously?’ These workers don’t get to just go home like everybody else.”
After going home and thinking about it, she quickly moved into action, sending flower arrangements to all the workers at the store.
“We did up 20 arrangements, as well as some single flowers. And then we went and gave them to everyone who works at the Sobeys by my house, just to say thank you for being awesome.”
Around the same time, Mary was making the difficult decision to close her business to the public. She had been contemplating it for about a week before deciding that closing was the best thing to do for her customers’ safety, as well as her own.
As of March 17th, Funky Petals has moved to contactless free delivery and curbside pickup. Getting the logistics in place was relatively easy given that they were already set up for delivery and online orders. The harder part? Making sure people know that although they are not physically open, they are still open for business.
“The first step was social media—lots of social media to get the word out and to let people know. I do videos on Facebook and Instagram. We have signs up all over the shop.”
The move to no-contact service also requires some extra communication.
“The process is very different. We always call people when we deliver to make sure they’re going to be home. Now we have to walk them through what we’re going to be doing. The driver will show up: he’ll ring your doorbell, put your order on your step, step six feet away to make sure you get the flowers, and once you receive the flowers, he’s going to leave.”
She also recommends finding ways to interact with your customers, even if it has to be virtually. For instance, two weeks ago, she offered a virtual class on how to make a personal terrarium.
“I don’t sleep a lot. I came up with this idea at midnight. I put the packages together with everything they would need, and we delivered it all out to the participants for free.”
Mary plans to do more of these virtual classes for people to learn about plants and flower arrangements.
“It’s just about interaction again. You’ve got to make sure that you’re interacting with people even if you can’t touch them, or hug them, or go out with them. As long as you still get to talk to people and see people, I just think it helps a little bit more.”
She also isn’t the only one in her industry looking to reach out to the community. When Funky Petals Fort Saskatchewan reached out to her to suggest donating flowers, she said yes immediately.
“We joined forces with Superior Floral and Funky Petals Fort Saskatchewan to donate flowers to the ladies staying at WIN House and Compassion House. They are already going through so much that the added stress of our new reality is overwhelming.”
Throughout it all, Mary is focused on staying positive and bringing joy to others. In a time of social distancing, flower delivery still has the ability to feel personal.
“Here’s the thing – flowers aren’t necessarily an essential service. They’re not. But they do spread joy, and love, and cheer.”
To learn more about what other AWE Awards nominees are doing to adapt to the new restrictions click here.
