Flower Girl
Heidi Kraus
While dining alone at the Westin Maui recently I watched the flower girl go from table to table, being rejected at every one. I began thinking that her job was tougher than any retail salesperson I know of. Mine was the last table she came to. I asked her how she’s holding up with the rejection and she said, “Are you going to reject me too.”
I said, “I’m alone this evening, but I was given a beautful lei this morning where I spoke, and in the Hawaiian tradition I passed it on to my waitress at lunch today.” She asked me where I spoke and I said, ” At
Windward Unity Church.” I went on to say that church isn’t where I usually speak. She asked me what I speak about, and I said, “I teach salespeople to handle rejection.” She starred at me and asked my name.
When I told her she teared up and told me that she grew up hearing about me from her mother, Anita Bell, and that she has read my books.
Anita worked for me for several years. Heidi went on to day that Anita died in April of Breast Cancer. She started crying, and said that she hasn’t gotten over it yet. I asked her to take a seat and we talked about Anita, my parents, rejection, life and success. She left smiling. I told her to say “Aloha” to Anita for me when she appears.
My regret upon her departure was that I didn’t buy lei from her.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
http://www.griefhealing.com/
Heidi,
If you happen to tune in to Ron’s Blog check out this website! We all share with your loss.
Thank-you Ron for your touching story!
With Aloha,
Char
July 28th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
If that were me I would copy short jokes and little words of wisdom and tag each rose with this little note that could not be opened until purchased. Then I would get a reputation for having a rose with that special something to enhance a couple’s conversation. I might even put the lyrics to some old tunes and also let that be known. This way it is not just a rose, but a whole lot more. You can put famous quotes of love letters and then the purchaser, usually a gentleman could read it out loud to his lovely wife or girlfriend, or date, and then that would also get her a nice tip. I can sing, so if they could be told that on a little sign, then I would sing to them a lovely tune. Perhaps she can sing a little.
She can also warm up the conversation by saying that she heard a great quote, joke and I am anxious to share it. Ask them what they think of it. (She could hang a sign from her other sign that reads “Roses for Sale, Jokes and Quotes, Lyrics, Poems and Personality Free) Would you like to hear it. Then you keep going until they buy a rose to get you to leave. They were then uniquely entertained, you have built up a rapport, and perhaps customers would have something extra to look forward to for the same price. Make the little tags and get the quotes yourself, write them in longhand with pretty colored ink on the inside white part of pretty wrapping paper, then attached with ribbons.
Women dining alone or without men or girls out with their friends is also a market I would somehow tap into with great tips, recipes, jokes, comments, something to entertain and make them laugh, and keep asking you to come back for more. I would buy myself a rose in a heartbeat if someone offered to make conversation with me and had a great little something extra with that flower, something to lift my spirits, perhaps a little prayer, or a few words of comfort and peace, even a nice scripture or saying philosopical saying. Why do you think fortune cookies are so popular? People love to be given something to ponder. Ponder a way to make more money. Think you much you can learn by doing research.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
If you had bought flowers from her, it might have distracted from the value of the gift you gave her through your conversation and attention.
July 30th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I hate to spoil all of the theatrics here, but the issue was rejection, not death. Those people did not know anything about Heidi’s mother passing away, they were rejecting overpriced flowers that they didn’t need. Be real!
August 2nd, 2009 at 7:49 am
Wow - tough crowd!
Ron - what a great story. I think she CAN handle the harsh rejection of a lei salesgirl BECAUSE her mother shared with her the stories about you and your books. It was a strange coincidence that you were there at that time in her life and talked to her. You probably brought back some great memories of her mother and an important gift that her mother shared with her. What more could you have done for her?
Right out of college in NO way shape or form did I consider myself a salesperson (some might still not consider me much of one :). During an interview as a Programmer, the man that would soon become my boss saw that trait in me. I only worked as a salesperson for him for six months (not his fault) but I occassionally remember him and the impact he had on me - seeing the trait of a salesperson in me. I wish I could share that with him today. That change in my perception of myself had a major impact on my life and career. So many times I hear outgoing, well-spoken people say “I am no salesperson” as if it is a scarlett letter or something. Beiing introduced to the profession and professionally trained in it (and inspired that it is an honorable profession) is so important. Ron - I constantly admire you for what you do.