To Sandi Snell, there's no business like
the flower business.
She has been at it for 40 years and
is still finding it daisy-fresh every day when she opens
the shop.
"I wouldn't want to do anything else. There's something
different every day. No two flowers are alike," said Snell,
owner of Sandi's Florist, 215 E. Park Ave. in Libertyville.
She
is marking her 25th year as owner, but she has worked in
the industry for 40 years.
Snell, born in Waukegan and who
attended Warren Township High School, worked for her aunt
and uncle, who owned and operated Proctor's Floral in Libertyville
in 1967.
"I was the gofer -- I did everything -- sales and design," recalls
the entrepreneuer, who honed her skills as a floral designer
and later became the store manager.
To better herself, in
1969 she went to the American Floral Arts School in Chicago
where she became a member of the Young Owner-Manager Group.
She taught floral design at the College of Lake County,
where she also studied business and accounting.
Always wanting
to have her own business, Snell eventually opened Sandi's
Cottage Florist at 114 E. Cook Road in Libertyville on
Oct. 1, 1982.
In 1988, she bought Proctor's, merged it with
her own business and opened Sandi's Florist on Park Avenue.
The
store offers full floral service, including a fresh daily
supply of cut flowers, blooming and green plants, as well
as silk flowers. With four employees, she custom-designs
for weddings and other special events. As a member of Florists
Transworld Delivery (FTD), she can send flowers worldwide.
She served on the boards of both FTD and Teleflora, another
medium through which flowers can be sent overseas.
"I've a large clientele with many repeat customers," said
Snell, attributing her success to hard work and good service.
Her husband, David Serdar, is in a maintnance business.
For
her 25th anniversary, she is planning a party around Thanksgiving
with a buffet for customers, friends and associates.
|
Select a Florist
