Archive for the “Uncategorized” Category

Boy, you ever been stuck on the side of the road? That just sucks! Our shop van recently cut out on us while headed up the hill from Lake City on 125th. I am just super lucky that all the flower deliveries were done that day.

Problem was, i wasn’t sure who to call as “Cousin Vinny” was on vacation and it was snowing outside so all the usual shadetrees were baby sitting some brandy, jack, whatever.. Very lucky for me, i ran across Rob from RCP Automotive.

I have certainly been taken for a ride before by unscrupulous mechanics..so i wasn’t sure what to expect. First off, i was impressed because Rob showed up at the agreed time and place with all his own tools and a very pleasant attitude. Instantly, he was at work and making it obvious that he knew what the hell he was doing. in fact, i got tired of shivering and left him alone. about an hour and half later, he called and told me to come get my van.

Good Stuff..and as you know i like to share good stuff. If you need your car,truck, van, or suv repaired (even on the side of the road) you too can recieve excellent service by calling Rob at RCP Automotive at 425-218-6142. I’m certain he’ll take great care of you and your vehicle.

With Mother’s Day ahead, i am feeling great about driving all our deliveries thanks to Rob. When your money is on the line, he is the man!

I met with Nick from Best Roofing in Federal Way today. He was really personable. I got to see pictures of his many happy clients and a tour of his office. if anyone is looking for a new roof, give Nick the roofer a call at 253-661-5807. He’d love to speak with you about staying dry and saving money on your roof project especially in Seattle.

BiZi Bee Floral & Gifts has blossomed from humble beginnings. Justin began selling roses in night clubs, after seeing his wife’s unhappiness with her former job. The organization, where she was formerly employed, stretched far too thin on human capital. while always demanding more from her. But they did not provide required resources for her professional growth. The final straw was pulled by her boss, when he informed her that he was not going to pay her bonus, earned by doubling sales in the store she managed. Justin was furious! And he, therefore, started selling roses at local nightclubs with roses bought from Costco. Enough money was earned from his endeavor to have a roadside flower stand for Mother’s Day 2006. The flower stand provided funds for a web site.Soon, Heather and Justin were approached by an employee of a wholesale company, regarding a flower shop available for sale in Seattle. What a spark of inspiring curiosity moved them! And they went to investigate the new opportunity. What they found was a shop in a sad state of disuse.Imogene Inglet had operated Arts ‘n Flowers in the shop for roughly nine years, before selling out to retire. The man who bought it from her had wished to operate the store with help from his family, who relocated from Mexico City. Unfortunately their many adjustments, needed to run a working shop had proven overwhelming. His family abandoned their efforts, and left the poor guy on the hook. His misfortune became the Baker’s opportunity to intervene and relieve him from future, dire financial and legal consequences. Compassion for his situation propelled much of their initial interest.Upon seeing the store for the first time, something clicked… like this was meant to be! Immediately, they began cleaning up to set things in order, before ever signing a purchase agreement or lease. Amidst explorations of possibilities - when moving things around - who should arrive? Fortunately! Rich arrived, representing the ownership of the building. The Bakers relayed their interest. Rich gave them a shot, without setting in motion the normally, intense scrutiny for prospective commercial, real estate tenants. Fate dealt the final blow, when Heather’s boss from out-of-the-blue, chose to sever the 10 year relationship between them. Heather’s assistant grabbed and grappled for Heather’s job in a power play of classic betrayal, by making false allegations against Heather. Ironically, just as the boss was giving Heather’s telephone exit interview, the Bakers were standing together in their new shop beaming over their bright future, despite the recently ugly past.In June of 2008, two years will soon be past, since they embarked on their journey together, as small business owners. Many challenges have been conquered, in that time. For the first year, they couldn’t afford to pay rent on both a residence and business. Consequently, they slept on a camping mat, placed on the floor in the back. They showered at the neighboring Miekos Fitness Club in Lake City.Inexperience caused much anguish. The first Valentine’s Day was such a great fiasco that Heather broke down in tears. Topping it off, their interim help for the holiday had stolen temporary checks. While Justin and Heather recuperated from their non-stop responsibilities of Valentine’s Day’s demands, their interim “helper” had helped herself by forging fraudulent checks, which she cashed at a local, check cashing store. This criminal activity nearly finished off the newbie entrepreneurs.Fotunately, love, determination, and team effort are true winners! Perseverance pays. Their main strengthening asset has been their loving belief in one another, along with devotion and help from several, supportive friends. Many of these friends are a great treasure found via an online business social networking community that began in Seattle. The Bakers highly recommend: http://www.biznik.com to any small business or freelancer starting out. Without it, they would have never progressed to any level of success.The future survival of BiZi Bee Floral & Gifts is not an absolute certainty. Real florists are under constant pressure from: web-based flower “stores”, chain, grocery stores with local convenience bouquets, and the wire services’ sales of flowers at unsustainable prices. Loyal patronage from YOU alone, our extraordinarily, discerning flower buyers, help to keep this little Mom and Pop store‘s existance alive and well. Heather and Justin wish to say “Thank you!” to our wonderful customers. Without your ongoing support, Lake City would be missing one more family florist. Seeing your joyful smiles is our ongoing inspiration! The BiZi Bee slogan is “Get BiZi, Bee Happy!” Calling all brides who plan on booking their wedding flowers, please consider Heather. She is the perfect expert and multi-talented designer. In the 10+ years of making arrangements for scores of brides, she has yet to have anyone return a negative report. In fact, they tend to gush with gratitude. Feel free to read her recent bride’s remarks on our website.Approximately 9 wedding consultations have been performed, since our opening. Out of those, 8 have booked with happy results. What BiZi Bee really needs is to add a zero after that 8. And if you know any brides or wedding planners, please help everyone by referring them to BiZi Bee! There is an upside to BiZi Bee Floral being a small shop, still working hard to become established. A main benefit is that prospective brides get a highly, personalized consultation. Heather asks questions, and takes careful notes on the wedding theme. Once she has a firm understanding of her customer’s wants, needs, and desires, she leverages her experience to make suggestions that help solidify the creative direction of the wedding. This shapes her proposal which is accompanied by a detailed quote. When everyone is happy, an agreement is signed and the deposit is taken. Many follow-up calls and emails usually occur right up until the “Big Day”. And then it‘s: lights, camera, action!Are you are seeking a shop with many, fancy credentials on the wall, accompanied by a condescending, disinterested attitude? Did you ever witness such a florist masquerading as “chic”? May we gently suggest, if you ever encounter such a florist, find the door quickly. We, at BiZi Bee Floral have a happy alternative for you. Is your desire to find a friendly, approachable talent in an experienced floral artist, with a penchant for green, eco-friendly bouquets? BiZi Bee IS right on target for YOU. Whatever your floral needs, we, at BiZi Bee will greet you with smiles and warm hearts.The location for BiZi Bee Floral & Gifts is 12304 Lake City Way NE - at the corner of 123 and Lake City Way. We are next door to the Breakfast Club and across from the bright, purple building with the sculpture in front of what was formerly Craniums Cafe. You can visit our website: http://www.bizibeefloral.com or call us to say, “Hi” toll-free at 877-424-9423.

I always love hearing back from customers that have come to me for expertise in picking out just the right flowers for their occasion.  Here’s a “thank you” from a customer I helped yesterday (March 20).  Karen is an assistant to a Doctor here in North Seattle, and his wife loves our flowers..he’s one of our best clients (but we treat every client like gold!).

Dearest Heather…

Once again, you’ve created another masterpiece.  Everyone from people on the street to co-workers in the office kept stopping in awe and admiration of the flower arrangement certainly wishing they were for them!  The wonderful aroma of the lillies was alluring and filled the hallway.  

Without a doubt, you have an eye for beauty and puts much love into each order.  I can’t wait to see how the next arrangement turns out!

–Karen

I love what I do and it shows.  I hope that in the future, you’ll come in and have a wonderful experience..enough so to write a great “thank you” that I can post for others to see.

BiZi Bee Floral and Gifts is in North Seattle (Lake City); located at 12304 Lake City Way Ne, Seattle, WA 98125…or feel free to give me a call: 206-440-8819 and I’ll be happy to talk to you and help you with picking out ‘just the right’ flowers for YOUR occasion!

So, everybody knows that we deliver fantastic fresh flowers and gifts to Lake Forest Park.  For those of you who don’t know us, we’re BiZi Bee Floral located in North Seattle.  We make daily floral deliveries to Mountlake Terrace and surrounding areas.  Here at BiZi Bee, we are proud to say that we offer friendly customer service (our client’s are #1!), great fresh flowers–direct from the growers and VeriFlora certified, and we also have a wide range of gifts to offer.  Most notably, our chocolates made locally and with the best ingredients.  We also have a nice selection of jewelry, all hand crafted by local artists.

But, it doesn’t stop there!  We also do fruit baskets and gourmet baskets, garden baskets with green and blooming plants, green plants, blooming plants…basically anything that you would want..we can do!

We can do all occasions, large or intimate, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries, Proms, Thank You’s, Congratulations, Just Because, Thinking of You, and also Sympathy/Funerals.

Whatever your occasion, we’re here to help make it memorable!  Give us a call:  206-440-8819  talk to Heather or Justin, and remember, by calling us, you’re supporting a small local business and keeping it in your community.

What a better way to say “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” than by having the infamous green rose delivered to your love!  Everybody wants these beautiful naturally green roses and BiZi Bee Floral in North Seattle has them!  Whether it be a single green rose or a dozen, they’re sure to make an impact.

The green rose has many meanings, but mostly conveys a message of plentitude and affluence, and augurs great success for any new venture!  The color green in general symbolizes the richness of nature and the completeness of life.  If you’re celebrating St. Paddy’s Day, here are a few tips:

How to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day:

• Wear green
• Pin a shamrock to your hat
• Speak with a brogue or wear brogues
• Send a bouquet of green flowers (belles of Ireland, green mums, green carnations, green gladiolus, green alstromeria, green roses) 
• Drink Irish beer and spirits at “The Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant”
• Wish your friends and family “Top o’ the morning to ye” and every so often cry out “Erin go bragh!” (Ireland forever)
• If you’re a mayor, dye your town’s rivers green and paint your lane markers green.
• Dance and sing in an Irish Pub

So, put on your bit o’ green (whatever that may bee), kiss a Blarney stone (or an Irish person..”kiss me, I’m Irish!”….thought to bring good luck), pick up a phone, call your local florist (206-440-8819), send “green” roses or flower bouquet or shamrock to your someone special, drink some green beer in an Irish Pub (The Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant), and make sure to do it all while speaking with a brogue. 

 I’ll be here (wearing green, of course!), happy to help (even online) you pick out the best green flowers to make sure you stay out of the dog house while you’re partying down in that Irish Pub!  Cheers!

we urgently need local garden space this spring.We are trying to be more green and sustainable. To accomplish this, we’d like to grow our own flowers! Can you help? read our craigslist post for details.

if you can suggest a spot that works out, feel free to contact us or leave a comment here on this post.

Another helpful thing would be if you would like to barter roses, flowers, greens, or other items from your property for arrangements or floral design lessons. We invite you to contact us and we can work it out on a case by case basis.

Thanks,
Justin and Heather

 Okay ladies (and some men), there is a new Nail and Spa service just opened here in North Seattle (Lake City), right next to BiZi Bee Floral. The name is “Diva Nails and Spa” located here in North Seattle at 12308 Lake City Way NE; Seattle, WA 98125. Phone Number is: 206-417-3710 .  Their shop is beautiful and relaxing as one would expect and very clean. The walls are a soothing shade of pale, pale green with accents of yellows and darker greens. The staff is very friendly and sweet. Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcomed. Diva is open 9 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday, 11 am through 5 pm on Sunday. They specialize in Artificial and Extended Nails, Natural Nails, manicures and pedicures, and waxing. Prices are very comparible to other establishments…my husband just got his first manicure ($12) and the Diva Signature Pedicure ($30)..he walked away saying he felt like a “king”. I told him not to get used to it as we are working folk! LOLThey have a package available for your little Princess (age 11 and under)..how fun would that be?! You could make it a day of hanging out with your daughter..having your hair done (right next door on the other side is “Crew Cuts”), then getting manicures and pedicures, then topping it all off with a gorgeous fresh flower bouquet from BiZi Bee Floral and Gifts. A day fit for a Queen and the Princess.I do hope you’ll come join us while we’re enjoying our new neighbors and relaxing…there’s just nothing like being pampered!And guys…they also sell gift certificates/cards so you can spoil your honey any time! Feel free to add one to any bouquet for same day delivery!  Call them to set up an appointment and make sure to mention how you found them! 206-417-3710Get some flowers and get nailed!

I, Heather, recently had clients come in to order flowers for a loved ones’ passing. It’s always difficult to give a consult for these occasions, because I find that I begin to grieve along with my clients. Although, it helps to go through this with them to know where they’re coming from. Everyone grieves in their own way and expresses it yet another. Flowers are a great way to express how you feel in this given situation.

My client was burying her husband of 34 years. First I thought..wow!..somebody’s that been married that long really does exist, then I thought about how I would feel if I was to lose my sweetheart (having been together only 10 short years), I would want to honor him with a glorious display of flowers to tell the world how he made me feel. My client chose something beautiful and elegant from our book, but we certainly put our own spin on it. The colors and flowers are: cream roses, white dendrobium orchids, white stock, stargazer lillies, fading into pink dendrobium orchids, lavendar tulips, and pink roses. It really is a gorgeous piece that was custom made to their needs.

More and more often, I see on funeral notices these little words that always just irk me…”..in lieu of flowers…”. Now, I’m all for supporting cancer research, heart disease research, etc etc…but what about everyone around me knowing how I felt about this person?! I’d say it with flowers…glorious bouquets for the funeral. Now, I’m not just saying this because I’m in the floral industry…I’m saying it because it’s how I truly feel. Flowers are wonderful and can be healing with their fragrances and colors. Healing for your heart and soul after losing someone.

A plant or a basket garden filled with green and blooming plants, is a wonderful item to send as well. If you don’t like the thought of the fresh cut flowers fading and wilting, send a plant basket. It can have the same effect for the recipient. It lets them know that they do matter and what they’re going through, really does matter to someone who cares.

Whichever you choose, I hope you’ll put thought into the item that you’ll be sending…you can always give me a call and we can discuss your options. Or visit us online and take a look around. Vased fresh cut VeriFlora certified flowers are perfect for the home. Basket gardens or plants are perfect for the home. Larger items like casket sprays (very intimate item to purchase, usually done by the one closest to the departed), standing easels and wreaths are more appropriate for the funeral location.

I look forward to hearing from you and hope this helps with any decisions if you are in this situation. I always have kleenex and time to listen.

Discover the buzz! BiZi Bee Floral’s website can now be found at both bizibeefloral.com and busybeefloral.com. So relax, and feel free to check out either url if you need a florist in Seattle to buy and send flowers or gifts online for delivery anywhere in the world.:)