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A Mother-Daughter Power House at Blossom & Basket Boutique
- December 17, 2010
- on 17/12/10
- MoJo: DonnaMarie Needle
Owners of Blossom & Basket Boutique
DonnaMarie Needle
Owners of Blossom & Basket Boutique
DonnaMarie Needle
Who would have thought a 15 year-old taking a required half credit class would be the turning point that led these aspiring Mt. Airy entrepreneurs to own one of Washington’s most sought after floral shops?
Well that indeed is the story, and now Ellie Bonde and Rene Bonde Shiffler, mother-daughter dynamic duo, have owned Blossom & Basket Boutique since 2001.
From the moment the shop opened, it was a big hit and a much-needed breath of fresh air for Mt. Airy’s Main Street. Wrapped and ready teacher gifts, just right gifts for a special someone, and more- — all at insanely reasonable prices. No thinking, no worrying, just purchase and you’re done. Not surprising, the shop has been very successful. What was surprising? The behind-the- scenes story of how the powerhouse team got started.
The story began in Shiffler’s sophomore year of high school. She needed a half credit and ended up in a floral design class. By the second day she knew floral design would be her life’s passion. Imagine knowing at 15 what you want to do for the rest of your life? Hence, she began her journey and hasn’t looked back.
Still in high school, Shiffler worked in a floral shop and was very involved entering floral design competitions through the 4-H Club. “4-H is a fabulous organization teaching so many life skills,” said Bonde. “I sincerely feel that the reason why both my daughters have been so successful is based on their experiences through 4-H.”
At 17, Shiffler competed against 160 other contestants from across the country at the National Junior Horticulture Association competition in Memphis, Tenn. Dressed as a Candy Striper, Rene gave a 10-minute flower arrangement demonstration entitled “Congratulations It’s a Girl,” and was the Grand Award Winner of the competition.
Shiffler certainly had a promising future in flower design and a lot of options when it came to deciding on a career track — however, call it life or call it luck—something else was in store for her.
“About half way through my sophomore year at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pa., we learned the Blossom and Basket Boutique was for sale,” said Shiffler. Her first thoughts were “You’re crazy—I’m a sophomore in college, I have no money and Mom works for St. James Pre-school—It’s not going to work.” However, after long telephone conversations and lots of research, they decided to jump in and officially became business owners on March 2, 2001. The shop officially opened April 4, 2001.
Shiffler continued studying Environmental Design and Ornamental Horticulture, juggling classes Mondays through Thursdays. Committed to her new business venture, she drove home every Thursday night and worked in the shop on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday mornings she studied and drove back to school Sunday nights.
Throughout the years, Blossom and Basket Boutique has gone through some changes, as most small businesses do. Most notable was moving the shop from 228 S. Main St., to 3 N. Main St. in 2007. The move provided a much-needed bigger space and has moved business forward, particularly in the wedding circuit where Shiffler has become a rising star.
In 2010, Blossom & Basket Boutique was recognized as one of the seven best flower shops in the Washington Metropolitan area through the “Knot.” A social network for brides to be, the Knot.com is a complete A-Z guide for brides who connect, plan and exchange information. “Sort of like Facebook for brides,” shared Bonde. “It was a huge honor and great for business.” Brides across the Washington Metropolitan area are talking and now seek out Shiffler’s talent and expertise. In fact, she is so much in demand, wedding business has increased over a thousand percent in the past decade, from 12 weddings in 2001 to over 100 weddings in 2010.
“I have dabbled in some of the planning and day-of-the-event organizing. That’s really not my style,” shared Shiffler. “I mainly like to stick with flowers, because that’s what I’m really good at. I like being the flower fairy. I come in, set everything up, and get out of the way.”
While Shiffler is the design talent of the dynamic duo, Bonde has been the face and voice of the business. Bonde chairs the promotions committee for MAMSA, (Mount Airy Main Street Association) and has been a strong advocate for Main Street merchants over the years. She is the smiling face greeting customers as they walk through the door. She is the one who takes your order, helps you arrange a basket, and provides small talk about a small town.
Although, Bonde is the marketer and networker, she believes the harder work goes on behind the scenes. Just one look and you can see how very proud she is of her daughter. “I just work for her,” smiled Bonde. “We all just work for Rene. She is the orchestra leader and we all have our own little tune to play.”
For holiday table settings, arrangements, and all your floral and gift basket needs, visit Blossom & Basket Boutique at 3 N. Main St. in downtown Mt. Airy (behind the old train station).
Visit them on the web at www.blossomandbasketboutique.com and on Facebook
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