Pioneer Wholesale Co. Blog

Pioneer Wholesale Announces Charity Prom Dress Drive to Be Held at Florists Across the Nation!

pioneerwholesale — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:33:36 +0000

The Princess and the Posy – Pioneer Wholesale Co.’s Charity Prom Dress Drive Held at Florist Shops Nationwide
Helping Florists Help Their Communities

Florists: Receive $2 in Pioneer Prom Perks for each dress
you collect for your local charity prom.*
The florist that collects the most dresses will receive a
Grand Prize – $250 Prom Package with corsage bracelets, ribbon and bling.

Helping Florists Help Their Communities
HELP THE RECIPIENTS – Thousands of terminally ill or economically disadvantaged teenage girls who would otherwise be unable to attend a prom get to have one evening of a “normal” childhood and fulfill their dreams.

HELP THE DONORS – The girls who donate their dresses will learn a valuable lesson in giving that will stay with them.

HELP THE CHARITY – The charity coodinators depend on the participation of local businesses for their charity proms to succeed.

And in the end… you help YOUR BUSINESS as well. When the donor brings in her dress, she gets to know you and your shop as well as see your prom selection and will (hopefully!) purchase her prom flowers from you. Today’s prom girls are tomorrow’s brides and customers for life. It also provdes publicity for your shop, within the community and the local media.

How to Participate
1. Find a local charity prom to work with. Almost every community has one.
2. Go to www.pioneerwholesaleco.com/promdressdrive.htm for an Intent to Participate application, as well FREE Marketing Materials that you can customize and use.
3. Advertise and conduct your event.
4. After your event is complete, send us a picture of the dresses as well as a receipt from the charity.
5. We will credit you $2 for every dress* donated toward your prom hardgoods order with us.

Any questions? Contact Sarah at Pioneer Wholesale Co.: srbot@pioneerwholesaleco.com
www.pioneerwholesaleco.com/promdressdrive.htm

*Maximum $100. Value of prom hardgoods order must be at least double the value of the Prom Perks

Pioneer Wholesale Co. is a wholesale distributor of corsage bracelets, ribbon and supplies. We are a Dazzling Distributor of the Fitz Design line. See our complete selection at www.pioneerwholesaleco.com. You must be an established business in order to purchase from us. WE DO NOT SELL RETAIL.

Hands on Wedding Design Class instructed by Tom Bowling, AIFD, CFD, PFCI

pioneerwholesale — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:51:23 +0000

DATE: September 7, 2011

TIMES: Choose from two times: 5:00-8:00 pm (spaces available) OR 12:00-3:00 pm (class full, waiting list available)

WHERE: Pioneer Wholesale Co., 500 West Bagley Rd., Berea, OH 44017 (Southwest of Cleveland, OH)

WHAT: Pioneer Wholesale Co., together with Fitz Design, Berwick Ribbon, Floracraft, GreenGlo, and Milton Adler are bringing a hands-on workshop to you. This is a dynamic hands-on workshop that will expose floral designers to new and different design techniques, the newest products available for 2011 wedding season and great design tips to make construction much less labor intensive.

We will be exploring the most up to date, dynamic marketing plan to make your wedding business the most successful ever! Learn low cost, easy to implement ideas that will build your wedding business to heights never thought possible!

This 3 hour hands-on seminar will be of huge benefit to all those who attend in both selling and designing prom personal flowers. You will learn how to change ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY and traditional to WOW ! We will cover construction methods, composite flower construction, personalization, unique foliage enhancements and more!

Be the talk of your town. Be the florist that everyone is talking about. Join us for a fun and informative workshop so weddings become a welcomed event in your store!

You will MAKE 2 Bouquets, 1 Wrist Corsage and 2 Boutonnieres!

You will also SEE DEMONSTRATED an arrangement in the new Dimensions Design Cone, a Show Stopping Bouquet and a Necklace Cascade.

You will RECEIVE a swag bag with over $40 worth of hard goods to use and take home.

You will learn from the BEST. Tom is the 2011-2012 president of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) as well as the Educational and Marketing director for Fitz Design, a member of Teleflora’s acclaimed Education Specialist Team, and the assistant floral director for the Academy Awards. We are honored to have him with us again!

This is a tremendous networking experience – we have florists attending from 5 states! We are conveniently located just 10 minutes from the Cleveland Hopkins airport. We have hotel packages available and we are offering free shuttle service from the airport to our facility. Don’t hesitate! Call today!

CLASS REGISTRATION – ONLY $50!! Includes all flowers and hardgoods. All you need to bring are your tools and a willingness to learn!

CALL TO REGISTER: 888-234-5400 – Classes filling up! Do not delay!!

Questions? Contact Sarah Botchick at srbot@pioneerwholesaleco.com or 888-234-5400!

Hands on Prom Workshop and Marketing Event!

pioneerwholesale — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:05:53 +0000

You’re Invited To
Pioneer Wholesale Co.’s “Red Carpet” Prom Design & Marketing Event
February 16 & 17, 2011
500 West Bagley Rd. Berea, OH 44017

Hands on Prom Workshop
With Tom Bowling, AIFD, PFCI

Fitz Design in conjunction with Berwick Ribbon and Milton Adler is bringing a hands on workshop to you. Participate in a dynamic hands-on workshop that will expose you to new and different design techniques, the newest products available for the 2011 prom season and great design tips to make construction much less labor intensive. We will also explore the most up to date, dynamic marketing plan to make your prom business the most successful ever. Learn low cost, easy to implement ideas that will build your prom business to heights you never though possible. This 3 hour hands on seminar will be of huge benefit to all those who attend in both selling and designing prom personal flowers. You will learn how to change ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY and traditional to WOW. We will cover construction methods, composite flower construction, personalization, unique foliage enhancements and more! Be the talk of your town!

CHOOSE ONE OF FOUR CLASS TIMES:
Wednesday February 16, 2011 – 12:00-3:00 pm
Wednesday February 16, 2011 – 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Thursday February 17, 2011 – 10:00 – 1:00 pm
Thursday February 17, 2011 – 3:00 – 6:00 pm
COST of Hands on Prom Workshop: $35
CALL TODAY TO REGISTER! 888-234-5400

Business and Marketing Class
With Dan Fisher, President of Fitz Design

CHOOSE ONE OF FOUR CLASS TIMES:
Wednesday February 16, 2011 – 12:00-3:00 pm
Wednesday February 16, 2011 – 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Thursday February 17, 2011 – 10:00 – 1:00 pm
Thursday February 17, 2011 – 3:00 – 6:00 pm
COST of Business and Marketing Class: $20
CALL TODAY TO REGISTER! 888-234-5400

SAVE MONEY and GROW YOUR BUSINESS with a COMBO PASS
The combo pass includes BOTH CLASSES and dinner on Wednesday or lunch on Thursday. This is the best option for your business! (We encourage you to book both classes on the same day if your schedule allows.)
Combo Pass Price: $50

Relax, learn and HAVE FUN after the big push! Perfect for our out of town customers! Stay the night in a spacious suite at the Residence Inn by Marriott, Middleburg Heights. Includes a warm and cozy fireplace in each suite! In the evening of your stay, from 6:30-8:00 pm, enjoy happy hour at the hotel featuring light fare, along with beer, wine and soft drinks. In the morning, enjoy a hot breakfast buffet. Travel just 10 minutes down the road to the Pioneer Wholesale Co. showroom and warehouse where you will enjoy a fabulous hands on workshop, an incredible marketing and business class, as well as networking with florists from 4 states! Of course, lunch is on us!

Retreat Fees: INCLUDES hotel suite for 1-2 people, admittance to BOTH classes, and meal day of class.

1 Person: ONLY $120 2 People: ONLY $95 EACH PERSON

CALL TODAY TO REGISTER!

888-234-5400

Not from Cleveland?
Join us for a “Post Holiday Recovery Retreat.”

NOTE: Due to the popular demand of this class, we must limit the Hands on Workshop to TWO STUDENTS PER FLORAL SHOP. However, THERE ARE NO LIMITS for the Business and Marketing Class.

GBT#32 – Wrap 102 – Think outside the shrink

pioneerwholesale — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:15:31 +0000

There are new options for wrapping gift baskets that are classier and more eye-catching than traditional shrink.

Poly Sinamay is my favorite. This product can make the simplest gift look like an elegant work of art.

Tulle is great, especially for gifts for ladies, and for baby gifts.

Remember, with 4000+ items to choose from, Pioneer Wholesale Co. is YOUR complete source for baskets, containers, ribbon, shrink, shred, bows and embellishments. Shop online, www.pioneerwholesaleco.com.

GBT# 31 – Wrap 101 – Understanding shrink

pioneerwholesale — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:07:08 +0000

People often ask us what kind of wrap they should use for their gifts. Should these use cello or shrink? Should they use rolls or sleeves (bags)?

At Pioneer Wholesale we have chosen to only carry shrink and not cello. Shrink is a dual-use product – it can either be used shrunk or un-shrunk. Also, shrink holds up better in the delivery of your gifts.

Sleeves (bags) are the easiest shrink product to use, but they are the most expensive, and you must be sure to get the correct size for your baskets. Sleeves are best for the beginner.

Rolls (like rolls of wrapping paper) are the least expensive option, and they do allow you to wrap a greater variety of sizes of gifts. However they are a little trickier to use.

Caps (domed shrink product that comes down over top of the baskets) are generally only used for fruit baskets, as they shrink so tightly around the product. Unlike rolls and sleeves, CAPS MUST BE SHRUNK.

This tip courtesy of Pioneer Wholesale Co. Remember, with 4000+ items to choose from, Pioneer Wholesale Co. is YOUR complete source for baskets, containers, ribbon, shrink, shred, bows and embellishments. Shop online, www.pioneerwholesaleco.com.

GBT#30 – Use Tulle and Poly Sinamay for Bows

pioneerwholesale — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:02:07 +0000

For super fast, easy, and unique bows, use tulle and other fabrics like Poly Sinamay to create your bows. These materials have lots of body and texture, as well as memory.

This tip courtesy of Mary Ann Jacobs, gift basket industry consultant. www.maryannjacobs.com

Remember, with 4000+ items to choose from, Pioneer Wholesale Co. is YOUR complete source for baskets, containers, ribbon, shrink, shred, bows and embellishments, including tulle and poly sinamay. Shop online, www.pioneerwholesaleco.com.

GBT#29 – Enhance for a fee

pioneerwholesale — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:59:04 +0000

Save all of your ribbon remnants. Then learn how to enhance them by creating ribbon flowers. They are fast to produce and look amazing.

This tip courtesy of Mary Ann Jacobs, Gift Basket Industry Consultant. www.maryannjacobs.com

GBT#28 – Don’t Underestimate the Power of Silk Flowers and Greenery

pioneerwholesale — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:53:39 +0000

Bows are not the only enhancement available for your gift. Don’t underestimate the power of silk flowers! If you purchase hem right they can be an extremely inexpensive embellishment. When purchased in bush form, you can get the flowers for as little as $.10 per head! Also, artificial greenery (ivies, etc.) can be awesome addition. Choose flowers with large heads, like hydrangeas, sunflowers and gerbera daisies. Check the clearance section with your floral wholesaler- what may not work for a florist may be PERFECT for a gift basket!

GBT#27 – Put your best face forward

pioneerwholesale — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:47:50 +0000

Your ribbon and bow are the face of your gift. They are the first thing people see when they look at your gift. They provide the “ooohhh and ahhh” factor for your product. Many times gift basket designers will meticulously pick out beautiful containers and create beautiful gifts… only to finish them with a pull bow. Now pull bows have their place, however, if you want your gifts to stand out and make your clients feel like that truly got a great gift, you need to do something a little different. For LESS money than a pull bow costs you can create your own beautiful bows. One successful customer once told me that she buys very inexpensive gift containers, but adds gorgeous bows to them. This increases the perceived value of the gift.

GBT#26 – Using Expiring Inventory

pioneerwholesale — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:42:04 +0000

Rather than have to toss out food inventory, give away food products that are nearing their expiration date. Add them to designs or use them to promote your business at networking meetings or to say thank you to the people with whom you do business, such as your doctor, dentist, cleaners, mechanic, etc.

This tip courtesy of Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. http://www.giftbasketbusinessworld.com/classes