I don't know about you but I'm fed up with all the negativity we are bombarded with every day. A long time friend of mine (Barry Gottlieb) and I were talking a few weeks ago about this issue. Studies have shown that as humans we have about 60,000 thoughts a day and about 80% are negative. That means we have roughly 48,000 negative thoughts and only 12,000 positive ones.

It doesn't surprise me that 25% of the people in this country are suffering from anxiety.

Our society focuses and glorifies all that is wrong in this world. The media has a huge influence on our mind set. 80% of what we hear and read from the media is negative in content. I know it's all about ratings and income from advertising but wouldn't it be nice if just one news cast or network told us all the good things that happened today. 

This deluge of negativity effects our businesses in all sorts of ways. Some are very obvious and others not so much, listen to the negative banter that takes place among your staff as the day begins. No wonder our productivity is declining as a nation.  

If we could get to 50% of those 60,000 thoughts being positive, just imagine what a different world we could have. I challenge everyone that reads this to make an effort to change your numbers. Some tips to help make the change;

• Be a good finder - Look for and celebrate good experiences, happenings or people
• Have an attitude of gratitude - Be thankful for the abundance you already have
• Ask your children to share something positive every night at dinner (this includes grown children and yourself)
• Do something for someone without anyone knowing that it came from you
• Make your workplace a positive energy work zone - leave the negative thinking and actions to your competitors
• When you are getting ready for the day, look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself it's going to be a great day - remember it's a mater of choice and that choice is yours 

Speaking of celebrations SAF is celebrating 125 years in our industry and helping grow our businesses. They want to know how your business has grown. Go to our Home page and look for SAF under links.     

I just got back from Bend this weekend after attending the "The Wedding Event" sponsored by Teleflora. It was a great program, Susan Ayala was the designer and showed those in attendence ideas in wedding design and new products. If you did not attend you missed a great weekend of education and R&R. The event was held at Schilling Solar City Gardens if you have never been there I highly recommend you stop in and check it out. A great place to take the kids, enjoy the gardens and buy some wonderful nursery stock and plants. Mark your calendar the next Teleflora sponsored show is August 16 in Dallas Oregon showcasing Greens of all types including Christmas designs. Everyone is invited, you DO NOT need to be a Telaflora member to attend. Watch for more details in the store or on this web site.

Don't forget the Portland Flower Market Fall & Christmas Open House/Design Show is Sunday September 27. Frank Adams will be showcasing the designs of Tom Bowling, AIFD, PFCI sponsored by Teleflora. Tom is a wonderful designer from the Midwestwith a ton of accolades. Smithers Oasis will also be presenting a very informative program on the latest demographics of our industry. I saw this presentation at WF&FSA earlier this spring and was very impressed or should say enlightened with the information and positive outlook for the future of our industry.

SAF's Generation of Flowers Study shows that most people value flowers, but they appear to have more depth of meaning for older generations. When probed about why they appreciate flowers, consumers are most likely to relate to the sensory & emotional aspects of flowers.

• The Color of the flowers adds to the impact of a gift (64%)
• The sight and smell can improve my mood (60%)
• Flowers are an emotional gift (56%)
• Flowers make me feel special (56%)
• The fragrance is important to me (53%)
• Consumers believe the gift of flowers, signifies being caring (61%), personal (58%), sentimental (58%)
• People who give flowers as gifts are most likely to be perceived as thoughtful (77%) and sincere (57%)

While trradiditional gifting makes up a significant portion of the market for flowers "just because" and purchases for the home are also important. Flowers are the number one gift of choice for romantic situations also for housewarming parties. Retail venues that provide convenience and price options (some low) are most popular, especially among younger generations.

Well, Mothers Day is behind us. That's good and bad, it would be nice to have a couple more weeks like that this summer. The best news is from most of the retail Florists I have talked to, sales were down a little but not as much as expected. The average order $$ amount was down in most cases about 10% but the # of orders was up.

With the wedding season on us remember to place your orders with us two weeks in advance to insure the best quality and availability PLUS  receive a 10% DISCOUNT for ordering early. That's 10% right off the top in your pocket. I recommend you do not pass this savings on to your customer, price their cost from your original cost before the discount. This will make you additional profits, as we all know the profit margin on weddings is usually not enough.

A PERSONAL THANK YOU  to Cindy Kelly at Valley Pacific Floral!!!!! Cindy is not a Frank Adams customer (we need to work on that) but she single handily got the Oregon State Legislature to make it illegal for order gathers to advertise in the Yellow Pages misrepresenting themselves as local Florists. This is a huge help to all Retail Florists in Oregon. If you would like to give her a call to thank her, her number is 503-981-1702.

Mothers Day is upon us ,lets hope it's a good one. According to several industry leaders Mothers Day is recession proof. I hope they are correct but I personally feel flower buyers will still buy flowers but may spend a little less. Frank Adams and the Market will be open until 3 on Tuesday the 5th and Frank Adams will be open until noon on Saturday the 9th.

On a different note Teleflora Oregon SW Washington Unit is hosting "The Wedding Event" featuring Susan Ayala on Sunday May 31st in Bend Oregon. YOU DO NOT have to be a member of Teleflora to attend. A great time to combine a little R&R and education in sunny Bend after Mothers Day. I'm sure we will all need it, click on the link "The Wedding Event" for more details.

Frank Adams has brought in a new ribbon ensemble from Offrey for the weeding season. It's called "Romance with Roses" Glamorize your roses with complementary colors of Double Face Satin, Simply Sheer Asiana and Satin ribbons. The link will show you a more visual example.  

I appoligize that the Frank Adams online  Hardgoods Catalog is not ready to access through our web-site yet. We are close but still working out some bugs. It seems as though we take one step forward and 3 steps backwards. I hope for it to be up and running very soon.  

To all our business partners; here's to a busy and profitable Mothers Day week. If there is anything we can do to help please don't hesitate to ask.