Share your perspective with the school....
This is an easy post for me. I want to share with you the success of a florist in Carlise, Ohio who was turned away from her school when she asked about coming to sell corsages at the school.
This next portion was written by Barb Williams the owner of The Flower Cart. Be sure to read to the end, her last line has a very unique perspective and before I forget, thanks Barb for sharing......
"I called the high school principal to ask permission to come onto school grounds during the lunch hour to set up a floral prom display and take orders for the kids’ corsages and boutonnieres. Our principal was kind, but firm, in his stating that he couldn't’t allow one vendor to come in unless he allowed everyone who asked. So many vendors (tuxes, dresses, limos, etc.) would want in that it would create mayhem so his solution was to make it an across-the-board “no”. I was disappointed, but also a little miffed because our shop is generous with donations to the schools, primarily through academics, arts, and athletics. I felt like I had been “good” to all the organizations, clubs, extra-curricular activities, etc., but I was being denied an opportunity to promote my business.
I filtered through my last year of donations and obtained the amount that had been contributed to groups that benefited the high school age crowd. I went back to the principal and asked if he would reconsider. He started to explain, again, that if he let me, he would have to open it to everyone. I told him that if the other vendors had invested as much into our community as my flower shop had, he should be welcoming them in!
That did it – he saw the value in creating win-win situations with local businesses. We set up our booth during the lunch hour and took orders. Some students did not order from us right then, but took information and came into the shop later when they could browse longer. Another win-win situation!
So, remember, “no” might not mean no. It might mean that you have to give someone a great reason to say “yes”!
This next portion was written by Barb Williams the owner of The Flower Cart. Be sure to read to the end, her last line has a very unique perspective and before I forget, thanks Barb for sharing......
"I called the high school principal to ask permission to come onto school grounds during the lunch hour to set up a floral prom display and take orders for the kids’ corsages and boutonnieres. Our principal was kind, but firm, in his stating that he couldn't’t allow one vendor to come in unless he allowed everyone who asked. So many vendors (tuxes, dresses, limos, etc.) would want in that it would create mayhem so his solution was to make it an across-the-board “no”. I was disappointed, but also a little miffed because our shop is generous with donations to the schools, primarily through academics, arts, and athletics. I felt like I had been “good” to all the organizations, clubs, extra-curricular activities, etc., but I was being denied an opportunity to promote my business.
I filtered through my last year of donations and obtained the amount that had been contributed to groups that benefited the high school age crowd. I went back to the principal and asked if he would reconsider. He started to explain, again, that if he let me, he would have to open it to everyone. I told him that if the other vendors had invested as much into our community as my flower shop had, he should be welcoming them in!
That did it – he saw the value in creating win-win situations with local businesses. We set up our booth during the lunch hour and took orders. Some students did not order from us right then, but took information and came into the shop later when they could browse longer. Another win-win situation!
So, remember, “no” might not mean no. It might mean that you have to give someone a great reason to say “yes”!
posted by Creations by Fitz Design at
4:09 PM
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