Where Customers Become Part of the Family

What started out as a comment made to a customer at another business has turned into a 19-year career and business for Amy Morris, owner of Shelton’s Flowers & Gifts in Bolivar.

“You never know where some opportunities are going to come from,” Morris said, “and this one, this business came when Gerald and Betty Shelton were customers of mine at my parents’ restaurant (Dossie’s).

I used to always tell them, especially Mrs. Betty, if they ever wanted to sell the business to let me know. It sounded like it would be so much fun, such a different way to help people. I had worked with Mrs. Betty for our wedding in January 2004 and that really got me even more interested in what all a florist and a business like that did for its customers.”

After Shelton’s untimely death in December 2004, the Shelton family got in touch with Amy. “They asked me if I was really interested in buying the business.

The Shelton family said that they would love to sell it to me, but they understood if I didn’t want to – they were so gracious about it.” She and her husband, Branon, talked about it and decided to take advantage of the opportunity. They re-opened the business in January 2005, with the Shelton family cheering her on.

“There were so many of Mrs. Betty’s customers who came and supported us and were so wonderful in those early months,” Morris said. She said she never thought of changing the name of the business. “I was glad to keep the name as Shelton’s, as a tribute to what Mrs. Betty had started as well as in appreciation to the family for entrusting that part of her legacy to me.” Morris says members of the Shelton family still shop with her and she even had a great-grandchild of the family recently make their first visit to the shop.

The first months as a new business owner went by in a blur Morris said. “There was so much I did not know, but whenever I had a need or a question the right person or people would come along. My parents were amazing to help me with the business side of things, since they had that experience. I have always tried to learn as much as I can about this business, this industry, and I still love learning from others in the industry today.”

She says one lesson she learned early was “customers couldn’t buy from me if I had an empty shop, so I had to not only get up to speed but learn to plan and stay ahead in buying for the shop.” Morris has expanded the gift side of the business over the years while maintaining the floral shop. Shelton’s now carries lines by Hobo, Barefoot Dreams, Tyler Candles, Willow Tree, Bogg Bags, and Ronaldo Jewelry.

Morris said she enjoys the friendships with other florists in town and loves how well they all work together. “I believe our small businesses really are the backbone of a community, especially in small towns.

All of the other florists in town and I don’t see ourselves in competition, and we all help each other out. We will call one another asking do you have this or that, or I am making deliveries to say Middleton today, do you have anything to go there.”

She says her favorite time of year is Christmas, and she loves planning the store’s Christmas Open House each year.

“It is a busy time of year, but it really is my favorite. I love shopping for items for the store, I love decorating the store, and I enjoy getting to be one of Santa’s elves. One especially busy Christmas Eve, a customer had ordered a gift to pick up and had asked us to gift wrap it for him. The shop is closed between Christmas Day and New Year’s, and he contacted me after the holidays to tell me they had found a pair of scissors in the gift. We had been so busy we didn’t realize we wrapped up a pair of our scissors in his gift!”

Morris says that story is just one of hundreds of examples she could give about her second family, her customers. “To me, my customers are part of my extended family. I give them my cell number and tell them to call me if they need anything, and when they do, I take care of them. To me and for my business, our customer service is number one and I want to do whatever I can to help my customers because I appreciate them so much.”

She says customers and family members have all stepped in over the years if they saw things were busy. “In the early years of the shop, before my children were in daycare, my grandmother, Mrs. Bobbie Jean Dorris, would come by at 2:30 every day and take care of my kids and would stay with me until the shop closed for the day. Mrs. Wanda Cole would also come by many days and help with whatever I needed. That was such an incredible blessing to me – and to my kids.”

One thing she has not done, and advises to any business owner, is not to sacrifice family time. “I have to have that time with my family, and they need me. Family time is precious – I will not get back those years, those events, those ball games. It all works itself out, but it is work to do that. There is no perfect work-life balance, and it is different for everyone, but you have to make family time a priority always.” Her family has been involved in different ways over the years. She has raised all 4 of her children in the shop with her, in different aspects of the business over the years.

“I don’t know if any of them will be interested in taking over the business from me one day, but I do know they have learned business and customer service skills when they have worked with me, and those are skills they can use in whatever field they choose.”

Shelton says she enjoys having the bridal registry throughout the year and has enjoyed adding a Senior registry for graduating seniors. “I also enjoy Valentine’s day even though it is a lot of work. I know it looks like organized chaos during that time of year, but I have a wonderful crew of folks who help me with deliveries as well as help out in the shop. We are exhausted when it’s over, but we enjoy putting smiles on faces.”

Another aspect of the business she enjoys is having the ability to give back to the community that she loves. “Over the years I have sponsored ball teams, yearbook ads at all levels, have been a Partner in Education with Hornsby School, and have helped with benefits and fundraisers. I try and give back to my community because it has given so, so much to me and to my family.”

“I hope anyone who makes a purchase with me, whether they are a one-time customer, new customer, or a long-time customer, I hope they each know how much their purchase means to me. It always has and it always will.”

Morris says it is not too late to shop for Mother’s Day or graduation gifts, and she is glad to help with those or other special event purchases. The shop is located at 1316 West Market Street in Bolivar and is open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9:00 a.m. – Noon on Saturdays.