The Dirt - Spring is coming!

Hola! Okay, so Valentine’s Day was not the most beautiful execution we’ve ever seen – a three-week delay in California crops and unwelcome weather issues in the Northeast didn’t help – but we did everything in our power to meet expectations and deliver on our promises. I’m not heartbroken that this holiday is behind us and prettier production is ahead. March brings spring, and spring brings new perspective and renewed passion. The season sends all the beautiful items so many of us love and long for all winter. We’ll start harvesting Bells of Ireland, Ranunculus, and Super Stock in March.  Numbers will be moderate to low due to the unseasonable cooler mornings that we are experiencing. March is a great time to introduce all of you to team member and team player Ciro Gonzalez, our new Supply Chain and Logistics Manager.  Ciro jumped aboard in December  learning all things logistics. He is serious and disciplined about ensuring every client receives his/her order(s) on time, appropriately labeled, and in excellent condition. We’re lucky to have Ciro. In the coming months, he’ll assume additional responsibility for seed procurement, working with the sales team and Master Grower Todd Thornton on harvest forecasts, order execution, and follow-up. He pays attention to detail and the analysis this work requires, and I know we’ll all reap the benefits of his influence. Get to know Ciro (hey that rhymes) a little more in the interview below. Where in the world is Aaron Motola? Fear not, my friends. Our fearless Leadership Team Pioneer remains on site and very much a member of the team. Aaron is now leading a 20 year old "new venture" that I recently acquired.  Stay tuned for more info.     We began this month with a Sunflower fundraiser at the 3rd annual Finish Chelsea’s Run on March 2. Giving back is a huge priority for us, and this event is always an incredible experience for all of us who attend. We raised and presented a total of $2,153 for the Sunflower Scholarship associated with this cause – despite my six-year-old Jack’s confusion about why he didn’t get to keep the proceeds from the stems he personally sold…a teachable moment, to be sure.   __________________________________________________________ Early years: Born in Mexico, Ciro began his professional life in Monterrey, an industrial city in the north, and was involved in several manufacturing industries in logistics, production planning and inventory control. He began to specialize in the food industry in the mid-1990s, establishing process procedures and information systems for the seafood, dried fruit and orange industries in the United States. On the Move: Moved to Florida in 1997 to stay close to projects. Arrived in San Diego in 2000. Spent the past 13 years as a distribution manager with diverse responsibilities including inventory, logistics, order fulfillment and growers supply. Flowers offer fresh perspective: I find the flower business challenging and fascinating. The inventory turn is almost immediate. Trucks with material may be received one day and shipped out forming a bouquet the same day. The storage period for flowers and greens, if any, is very short. There is no margin for error. Operations must be precise, transportation on time, and temperature controlled. On top of that, cargo must be treated delicately.   We set the highest standards for quality and availability, yet we’re subject to the seasonality of our product and to Mother Nature’s mood swings – a delicate balance, to be sure! Greatest opportunity: The logistics network is in place, the demand is growing and the trend is toward high-quality, steady supply. My biggest challenge, which I accept wholeheartedly, is developing a supply on par with the other links of the chain that will allow us to grow and continue providing the best products for our partners. I want to help our growers increase the variety and quality of material; create new sources in climates that improve availability; control as best we can the risk of natural events; and create cost-effective logistics for the transportation we need. First Impressions:  I like challenges and finding ways to resolve puzzles and find answers. Opportunity can be found in lots of places. What’s harder to find are the great people and culture Dos Gringos has. It comes from the top. Jason’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and the culture he and his team have created is unique. I’ve met so many people, all with different backgrounds and skills – and each with a story about how happy they are to work here. The flowers help, of course – you can’t beat the aroma therapy! -- but this is a happy place in a challenging business. Personal: Married with two kids. My daughter (21) is finishing college, and my son is a high school senior. We love San Diego and the chance to meet people from so many different cultures. I enjoy music, books of all kinds, and flowers. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Dirt - February 2013

Hola, Like all of you, the Team at Dos Gringos is in the thick of wrapping up Valentine’s Day.  Knowing how busy this time is, I’ll keep it short and sweet. California was hit hard with a cold snap in late January, and several crops were set back.  Stock, Wax flower, Sunflowers and Larkspur all are coming up slower and later than expected.  We are working through this with the same attention and discipline we give to any challenge, and orders are going out.  We appreciate everyone's flexibility around shop dates and recipe changes.  I can assure that you will get the best possible product(s) every time. January was “All Airport, All the Time” for me.  I made some very productive January trips to visit clients, partners on the East Coast and see upgrades in operations and facilities. It is so helpful when we can see for ourselves how our work impacts yours. I also traveled to Mexico with our team to check in and get an update from our Ranch Managers.  We were pleased to see the progress that is being made in our expansion project. After helping immensely with our holiday operations, Dos Gringos Miami continues to add capacity and capability. Our progress in this strategic location will improve service and freshness for valuable clients in the east.  Our staff in Miami – all team members who were with us in California for years and who know and understand the standards and expectations we insist on – is working hard to execute a successful Valentine’s Day.  This was a huge transition for all of these folks, and they haven’t missed a beat. Job #1 is to now secure and enhance our Florida production. In addition to this, establishing important relationships that ensure we can offer and deliver the best products at the most competitive prices will remain a priority. Reaching out within the Miami community and making lasting connections will be a key to our success. I’ll be here in California working with the team until all Valentine’s Day orders are filled and shipped to your satisfaction.  I will then be hitting the road again to head back for more site visits in the Midwest and East Coast. I want to inform you of a very positive change and one addition to our Team. Todd Thornton, a master grower who’s been with us several years in a number of different capacities, is now on-site in Vista full time. His work with Ranch Managers and his unparalleled knowledge of the growing process, start to finish, will continue to be an asset for us. Todd is now working closely with Ciro Gonzalez, the newest member of the family. Ciro has stepped up beautifully to learn from Aaron Motola and to begin helping with the many and varied responsibilities associated with procurement. We’ll give Ciro an appropriate welcome and introduction in the March issue of this newsletter. Until then, I wish you all a wonderful Valentine's Day!

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The Dirt - January 2013

Hola, On behalf of the entire Dos Gringos family, I wish all of our clients a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year! Like many of you, I suspect, we head into 2013 with renewed purpose and vigor. Regular meeting rhythms are back on the calendar, travel schedules are filling up, and the results of some updates to our physical space in California are visible and exciting.  Different by Design ® truly extends to every aspect of our business. Digital signage – touch screens –are being installed throughout our headquarters. Good communication is a big deal to us, and this state-of-the-art hardware and software will allow us to post key metrics throughout the day so everyone from Quality Assurance to Logistics to Assembly Line Leaders know in real time exactly how we’re stacking up, especially with regards to quality. We’ll celebrate the good numbers and try to keep them going, and we’ll address the not-so-good as quickly and efficiently as possible. The better our productivity, the more we can keep costs the same or similar in this inflationary period. We know that’s important to you, and we take it very seriously. Special thanks to my brother David, president and CEO of Four Winds Interactive, for helping to get us up and running with his company's terrific technology. Speaking of productivity, I felt that our December strategic planning meetings were very productive and relevant. The pillars of our business remain as they’ve been for years: Every initiative discussed for 2013 had to fall into one of these “buckets.” Once we identified key initiatives, we continued to assign and map out desired outcomes, required actions, and necessary resources. So, what did we come up with? In the interest of “People first…” I am thrilled to announce a major wellness campaign for Dos Gringos.  I want my team to have choices and access to a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle and energy galore. Delia Mercado will work closely with our health insurance company to develop and promote a variety of on-site programs, including biometrics baselines; Boot Camp; and nutrition information and insight. For our “freshness” initiative, we’ll focus a lot this year on what this means to customers and how we can deliver it in a way that works for them. Our annual survey is a great way to kick off this conversation. Please click here to spend a few minutes letting us know how we’re doing today and where we need to be to continue to earn your business. Innovation will continue to be a top priority for the DG Team. We want to be first to market with the programs and promotions that drive results for YOU. I’ll be talking to some of our East Coast partners this month about new initiatives; much more to come as we define the details. Until then, here’s to an exciting, challenging 2013! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Dirt - December 2012

Hola Everyone and Feliz Navidad! I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying this festive season and the business success you’ve worked hard all year to ensure. To the extent that Dos Gringos products and programs have helped keep your customers coming back for more or have brought you new customers intrigued by and/or in love with the California look, I’m thrilled. I hope you’ll continue to let us know how we can be the best partner possible. Here in Vista, Thanksgiving operations went smoothly with a few snags towards the end. The few snags proved to be a great reminder of the power of proper planning and planting. If you’ve been with Dos Gringos for any length of time, you know we’re sticklers for planning and planting. We were a little under planted toward the last days of shipping. In the true dg way we got creative and got through it. My beloved Grandma Jennie passed away on Thanksgiving Day. Throughout my childhood she and my Grandpa Jack, rest his soul, owned and operated clothing stores in Illinois. They both had a huge influence on my life, personally and professionally. I try everyday to emulate their integrity, perseverance and good humor. I returned from Jennie's beautiful funeral just in time to celebrate Annie’s beautiful 11th birthday. The circle of life is a good, if sometimes painful, thing. Hot off the drawing board, our innovative Country Christmas line is making waves in a number of markets.  Mason jars filled with pine cones, Christmas greens, and florals and accented with a charming touch of raffia make great gifts for teachers, holiday hosts, that wonderful neighbor who so deserves a token of appreciation.  We're shipping them in boxes ready to set for display, but we're also hearing from floral managers that they really spice up the area when scattered about.  No two look the same, we we encourage you to have some fun with them and let customers see the difference for themselves.  Metallics are fun and festive as well.  Gold Lemon Leaf and Seeded Eucalyptus and silver Bear Grass add instant glam to already beautiful arrangements.  We've come a long way since our initial move to Metallics for the holidays, and I love what I've seen this year. This month our Leadership Team will get away for a few days to focus on strategy and plans for 2013 and beyond. We’ll look at challenges and opportunities, strengths and weaknesses, trends and solutions. The goal will be to arrive at three initiatives we can tackle and make some headway on in 2013. While I never truly don’t know where we’ll land, I can tell you that a framework for the discussion will be the following three themes: Freshness  (how can we make your flowers last longer) Wellness  (healthy team = healthy company with a healthy future) Competitiveness (delivering products, programs, and an experience you can’t find elsewhere) Next week brings our Holiday Lunch for the entire team here in Vista. It’s always a wonderful time and a terrific opportunity to celebrate the sheer joy of being together. This team takes it commitment to you, our partners, very seriously. We know we have to earn your business each and every day, with each and every order. We never forget that, especially as we reflect on the past year and ring in a new one. I hope your December has its share of reflection and revelry as well. Team gathers for the shower and Jason and Raul at "Diapers for Dads" shower. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _