Two years ago, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England inducted me into their Business Hall of Fame. It was a wonderful honor and made special because my children were there to see me accept the award. It’s no secret that I got the entrepreneurial bug at a young age. I believe it is one of our greatest responsibilities to inspire and educate the next generation.

This week, the JA torch was passed to my oldest daughter Somia, a director here at Edible. JA announced her appointment to  the organization’s New Haven Advisory Board. I know that she will make a positive impact and continue to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to follow their dreams.

As Somia tells it: “I’ve grown up in an entrepreneurial family. I admire innovation and education. I’m honored to be joining the board and contributing to empowering young people through JA programs. To be able to do this in the community that I call home is special to me.”

I think it’s special as well. Congratulations!

 

Likes Likes Created with Sketch. Dislikes(0)
Share

Media interviews are important and have really helped to spread the story and brand of Edible Arrangements. The interview I did with Tyler Mathisen of the “Nightly Business Report” was a thrill. My oldest daughter Somia was also part of the interview.  This is the full show.  My interview begins around the 22-minute mark.  Please watch and let me know what you think.

Likes Likes Created with Sketch. Dislikes(0)
Share
  • community
  • Edible Arrangements

The holiday season is upon us and I’m taking a moment to reflect and share how Edible and employees from my companies have supported our communities this year.

  • Ten Edible employees – trained in Junior Achievement curriculum – volunteered for JA Day at Highland Elementary School in Wallingford, CT. Working in pairs, they taught JA’s ‘Our Community’ program. Youngsters learned about careers and how all jobs help a community.
  • Employees and franchise owners from across the country donated to Edible Cares™ to help gulf coast franchisees affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Their generosity, along with a corporate gift, provided nearly $20,000 to franchisees, employees and their families in Texas, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana.
  • $20,000 of fresh fruit was donated in Los Angeles, CA; Dallas TX; Atlanta, GA and New York, NY. More locally, we supported arts, health, food and shelter organizations with product donations like chocolate dipped fruit, Edible to Go® fresh fruit cups and of course, fruit arrangements. Special thanks to the many Edible Arrangements stores who helped with our outreach efforts.

The 3-foot tall, 65-pound Incredible Edible® donated to the Eli Whitney Museum’s Leonard in Bloom Challenge (bottom right), took me back to my roots.  The artists who took part in the Challenge submitted work focused on the beauty of flowers. As you know, it was flowers which seeded my inspiration to design the fresh fruit arrangements.

  • The Edible team delivered over 100 coats to Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) in New Haven, CT (top right). The coats were donated by employees from the corporate office. IRIS will distribute the coats to resettled refugees.
  • Employees from Netsolace, one of my technology companies, manned the assembly line at Connecticut Food Bank (top left and center & bottom left) to fill food boxes for hungry families.

I am proud of the team’s compassion and generosity to build a better future for our community. It’s true that happiness and peace can be found in acts of kindness.

Likes Likes Created with Sketch. Dislikes(0)
Share
  • Charity
  • Edible Arrangements

A school playground and recess are vitally important to children for their fun and relaxation as well as for their good health and well-being.

That’s why I am so pleased to be part of a $240,000 funding effort that will bring the children at the Green Acres Elementary School in North Haven a new place to have fun. On Friday, we participated in a groundbreaking for the new playground. The new playground will replace one that has been at the school for more than 20 years.

The project is being funded entirely by donations from the Tariq Farid Foundation, Quinnipiac University, Green Acres PTA, the North Haven Education Fund and North Haven Rotary Club.

Supporting this playground improvement is a tangible way for my family and I to give back to the community that we call home.

Likes Likes Created with Sketch. Dislikes(0)
Share
  • Edible Arrangements
  • Franchise

Media interviews continue to help spread the story about Edible Arrangements. Being featured in segment about Connecticut companies took me back to where it began.  This has been way beyond what I ever dreamed. What a blessing.

WorkinCT: My interview with Amanda Raus

Likes Likes Created with Sketch. Dislikes(0)
Share