Candy Bouquet News Room
Franchisee News
Franchisee of the Month: December 2007
CBI 343 - C.J. Owsley
Storefront
Wanesville, MO
The store has been open for 10 years, but C.J. purchased it 2 years ago. "I felt that I was well-rounded enough to make it successful," she said.
Q. Why did you decide to open a Candy Bouquet?
A. I sent and received Candy Bouquets after moving to the Fort Leonard Wood area and became familiar with the product that way. I thought it was a unique concept and, based on the selling prices of the bouquets, I had the impression that it was a very lucrative undertaking.
After leaving the Army, I knew I wanted to operate my own business, but I wasn’t sure what it should be. I studied Candy Bouquet and some movie businesses during business school, and when it came time to write a business plan for one my classes, I decided that I was interested in doing one on Candy Bouquet. Nearing graduation, it still seemed like a great idea so I went to the owner of the Fort Leonard Wood area Candy Bouquet and told her that I wanted to open one up in Jefferson City, MO. I asked her if I could work under her (for free) to be sure that was what I wanted to do. I liked the creative aspects of the work and felt that an established business that also fell under a franchise system was a lot less scary for my first leap into entrepreneurship than anything else was, so I was excited about it.
Q. What is your favorite thing about your business?
A. Trading Smiles. I love sharing joyful moments with my customers. Forgetting about the bills and all the other mundane chores that come with operating a business, while I create that special gift for their loved one.
Q. Who is your role model and why?
A. Successful franchisees in the Candy Bouquet system. Because they give me great ideas, help me realize my faults, and inspire me to push on.