My name is Glenda Drum, my business is Baskets From The Heart in Shelby NC. I started my business in 1997 having searched for awhile to determine what kind of business I wanted to start. I even researched at a local community college library the topic of gift baskets. I soon came across Cheri Reagor and her gb biz in Fl and her magazine Rave Reviews and her conventions, which I attended one in Nashville, TN. She definitely influenced my style and her “blinging” up her gift baskets were unmatched by anyone in the biz. Her enhancements were probably a good portion of the cost of the basket. Today things have changed, obviously, so I’ve adapted to a degree, but still hanging on to “beautifying” my baskets for presentation to a minimal degree. To find out what the prospective customers that you would have either locally or via website is challenging. I also offer floral and plants so that is probably in the minority of us gb biz owners. It has helped me to have this option and I do sell a fair amount of both, I don’t house these, but use either a retail option or wholesale, depending on the request. Being in a rural southern county with a reasonably small population and not a great deal of business is also challenging. As the saying goes, “location is everything”. It’s still enjoyable for me and when it’s not I’ll exit!
