This week, as the country celebrates National Small Business Week, I’d like to look back and reflect on the beginnings of Edible®, when we were just a small store in Connecticut. Looking back on these memories makes me eternally grateful for all of Edible®’s franchisees that have gone on this journey with me. I’m happy to honor all of them as small business owners across America and applaud them for earning their piece of the American Dream. Continue Reading
I have often said that even though Edible Arrangements has more than 1,300 locations and 800 franchisees around the world, we are really just a big family of small business owners.
And as we celebrate National Small Business Week, it provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the power that small businesses have across the country and around the world. I feel particularly honored to get to work with some of the best small business owners I know every day.
Growing up, both as an entrepreneur and young man, I had many mentors who played key roles into helping shape me into the person I am today. I am forever grateful for them, as they took time to give me and my small business the attention needed at the time.
Because of this, I have made it a mission of mine to help the future generations of entrepreneurs, whether it is globally through the International Franchise Association’s NextGen program or right here at home with the many youth and entrepreneurial programs available to students throughout the community and the region.
As Veterans Day arrives every year I am reminded of the incredible sacrifices the great veterans of our country have made and continue to make every day. Yet, I am also saddened to think of the many obstacles a large number of them face, unfortunately, as they make the transition from military to civilian life and into the workforce. Continue Reading
As an entrepreneur, it’s often very easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day whirlwind of business that there is little time for reflection. That’s why I so enjoyed my recent interview with Chris Beier of Inc. magazine.
The interview offered me a chance to revisit the early days of Edible Arrangements. It was a time when we were experiencing dramatic growth and I, as is not uncommon for anyone trying to build a business, was experiencing self-doubt about whether I was the right person to lead the company forward at such an important time.