The secret to brand longevity

"I grew up in South Queens, New York, where the role models on my block were police officers and firemen who showed up when others needed them most. Naturally, I thought I'd follow that path and become a cop. That dream shifted into social work, a field that fed my heart but not my wallet. To make ends meet, I took on whatever work I could, flipping houses, tending bar, you name it."

"It soon became clear to me that we were not just selling bouquets but also becoming part of people's lives. While customers came in to buy flowers, they also sought restaurant advice and shared stories of love and loss, among many other things. Before long, the shop had become a neighborhood hub. As I opened more locations-first one, then another, until there were about 40-the lesson became even clearer: Success didn't come from the number of shops, it came from the trust and connection inside them."

Grew up in South Queens with police and firemen as role models and initially planned to become a cop. Career direction shifted to social work, and a succession of odd jobs funded life while reinforcing a strong work ethic summed up by a father's saying: "If you're old enough to walk, you're old enough to work." Early work experience indicated that longevity depended on relationships. In 1976 a first flower shop on Manhattan's Upper East Side became a neighborhood hub. Expansion to roughly 40 locations emphasized trust and connection inside stores. Acquiring the 800 number that spelled "FLOWERS" enabled widespread phone ordering across town and the country.

Read at Fast Company