The Dirt - December Holiday Issue

Now that we’ve had our fill of turkey, stuffing and pie galore, it’s time to give – time to remember loved ones far and near and to reach out to friends and acquaintances in a special way. When that reaching out includes fresh flowers and one-of-a-kind arrangements, the reaction is special. You know what I mean. It’s why we’re in this business. People feel the good will and the heartfelt sentiment behind a beautiful bouquet. Warm smiles are guaranteed.

Giving is a huge part of our core values at Dos Gringos. When this December wraps, we will have donated thousands bouquets/stems to over 50 different groups in 2010. As you probably know, some of our favorite recipients are Petals for Patriots, Meals on Wheels, San Diego County Garden Clubs, and a variety of cancer-awareness fundraisers. We receive several memorial requests throughout each year, and we are happy to oblige.

I have always admired and I try to patronize and recommend companies that understand it’s not just about money and profit. You’ve got to return something as well. So Dos Gringos is committed to being a good, responsible corporate citizen that gives back to its community. But we don’t just give flowers. I encourage all of our team members to give generously of their time and talent in their respective neighborhoods and to their favorite causes.

As for me, I favor the young and the old in San Diego County. I am an active member of the board of directors for both the YMCA of San Diego County and the Meals on Wheels of Greater San Diego. I’m a big fan of the Y’s philosophy that it’s better to build a kid than mend an adult, and I support all of Meals on Wheels’ efforts to eradicate senior hunger in this area. In 2011, a Dos Gringos team will adopt a Meals on Wheels route, and we’ll all have a hand in making sure those seniors get good food, great flowers, and some warm, wonderful human interaction, which is, of course, the best gift of all!

From all of us at Dos Gringos:
May your December days be merry and bright and filled with the spirit of giving!




(click image to download pdf)


Reńe van Rems Bouquet Designs from DG’s 2011 Spring Catalog
Pumpkin Pepper Planting Deadline for Fall 2011 Bookings– December 15th
Sunflower Planting Deadline for 2011 Q2 Core, Easter and Mothers Day Bookings– Jan 10
Consumer Bunch Items Q1 Q2:
• Gypsy Dianthus
• Stock
• Larkspur
• Bells of Ireland (28-30” Grade)
• Pincushion Protea
• Waxflower
• Orange Spring Sunflowers
• Yellow Spring Sunflowers

Sunflower Care & Handling video staring Author, Educator, Presenter, and Dos Gringos’ Creative Director Reńe van Rems coming to a theater near you on 1/11/11.

Meals on Wheels
http://www.meals-on-wheels.org/

Blooms from the Heart
http://bloomsfromtheheart.org/our_partners

Petals for Patriots
http://www.ramonagardenclub.com/index.php?name=
News&file=article&sid=25

Vista Chamber of Commerce
http://www.vistachamber.org/

Angel Depot
San Diego Fair: Award for best use of Sunflowers
S.D. Woman’s Museum
American Cancer Golf Tournament
S.D. Cancer Society Daffodil Days Fundraiser
Quail Botanical Gardens Gala
Naturvet Foundation golf tournament
Vista Garden Club
North Coast Special Education Awards Ceremony
YMCA
San Diego Phillipino Association Cultural awareness day
A.L.S. Society
Ca. State Floral Assoc. Legislative Day
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Golf Tournament
Fallbrook 4-H
American Floral Endowment
The Refugee Network
Stater Bros. Cancer fundraising
The Guidance Center
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Carlsbad School District
Paul’s Pals MDA research
Walk To Cure Diabetes
Huntington’s Disease
The Legacy Foundation
Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation





-

The Dirt - November Issue

It’s a bit of a tongue twister, sure, but we know it’s true. What special event can’t be made better with a gorgeous bouquet of occasion-ready , farm-fresh flowers? That’s the message we need to send to one and all throughout these party-filled, family-focused last two months of the year. Flowers brighten a home, lighten a mood, and so much more…


Right here at Dos Gringos, we practice what we preach. At a very special surprise party for my, ahem, 40th birthday – I still can’t get used to that number – our headquarters here in Vista were covered in flowers.



The same was true for our annual Halloween costume party and parade last week: flowers and foliage everywhere. Yes, that’s easy for us to do. The coolers are brimming with choices, an incredible designer has an office downstairs, and the price is right, but here’s the point: flowers add a special touch that nothing else really can. And in the context of a celebration, they won’t break the bank.






Headed to a dinner party? Spice it up with a seasonal mix. Invited somewhere else for Thanksgiving? Why not contribute a gorgeous centerpiece? College roommates gathering for a cup of holiday cheer? Reds and greens are stunning together, the variety is endless, and, thanks to so many of you, the price points are equally attractive.

So how can we help? From easy, appealing vase arrangements to instant-impact merchandisers, we are poised to make any and every celebration of the season even better. Right now Sunflowers are doing a lot of the heavy lifting as the country enjoys autumn and its warm, rich hues. After Thanksgiving, our fresh, funky greens will be paired with almost everything imaginable to make the December holidays as beautiful as possible. Let us know what you need, and keep up the good work in making flowers an important part of every celebration.

Cheers!

Jason Levin
President & Chief Gringo



Finalize Numbers for:
* Christmas Green CB’s
* Oriental Lily Holiday Bouquets
* Silver and Gold Antiqued Berries/Foliage


NOW BOOKING:
Item For Period
Stock Jan April
Larkspur Mid-February
Just Add Roses Jan Feb
Just Add Tulips Jan Feb
Green Suns (St. Patricks Day)
Ranunculus March April
Pincushions March April
Waxflower February- May
Gypsy Dianthus February- May
Pumpkin Tree September-October
Peppers September-October
Sunflowers April – June









-

The Dirt - October Issue

Hola!

Something very exciting happened last week for all of us at Dos Gringos. It was so successful we hope to make it an annual affair each fall season.

At Gringo Farms, a separate trial farm we have created in Rancho Santa Fe, CA where we can test new varieties and hold off-site brainstorming sessions with team members and clients alike, we conducted a week of Sunflower pack trials and tests with a number of different customers. We had seeds from hybridizers in the United States, Japan and Israel, and we displayed 20 different beds of Sunflower varieties – everything from natural white to bi-color to lemon Teddy Bears to some of the commercial varieties.
On this farm we also have about 50 varieties of perennials from Protea to Safari Sunset and use this area as a demonstration garden to teach team members and clients about how the elements we use in bouquets actually grow in the field.

Best of all, we sat around the kitchen table with fresh morning muffins or an afternoon lunch and we talked. We asked buyers and directors of marketing about issues, concerns and day-to-day operations, and we learned more about what we can do to serve everyone better. I think we all agreed that speed and color are the two most important things for Dos Gringos to work on with our hybridizers. Rest assured we will do just that.

I was amazed and humbled by the willingness of these customers to come in and be part of the process and then to agree to test certain varieties in their marketplace. It takes 12 years to bring a new variety to market. Clearly that’s a long time. And there’s a lot of sophisticated science involved. If we can continue to get customers in on the ground floor to provide feedback and to test ideas and trends out with their own customers, that’s huge.

So a big “Thank you” goes out today from Dos Gringos to all of its visitors last week. I wish we could have had every single client come through, but we will catch you next time. Until we visit in person, keep letting us know what we can do to help!



On the personal side, I’m enjoying coaching little Jack’s 4-year-old soccer team. The Blasters are now 4-0 (although we’re not supposed to keep score). Jack has two goals for the season and couldn’t be more thrilled. Annie, 8, is busy with soccer, Brownies, YMCA Adventure Guides and reading anything she can get her hands on. Right now it’s Frankenstein, of course. Melissa is busy keeping us all on track and volunteer teaching at the El Camino Creek School. As for me, I embarrassingly celebrate a milestone birthday 10/7 that I find very depressing. Most of you have known me since I was 22 and just starting out and you know how many years ago that was. Take care. Be well.

Adios,

Jason Levin President & Chief Gringo

The Dirt - September Issue

Hola! Back-to-school time is such a great part of the year – new faces and places, endless potential, and, my personal favorite, the promise of renewed productivity. Annie has enjoyed her first weeks as a third grader, and just-turned-four Jack is packed and ready for his junior year of preschool, where his favorite subject/part of the day is anything to do with finger paint and making a mess.

In many ways the team at DG spent the summer getting ready for "back-to-school." Beginning with two important trade shows in June and July and continuing through this month, we have traveled up a storm and met face-to-face with clients across the country in an effort to continue learning all we can so we can be the partner and solutions provider you deserve. Marco Rivera provides more detail below.

My “What I Did This Summer” report on the growing side of the business includes fascinating trips to Ecuador and Costa Rica and continued progress at our fields in Mexico. It’s no secret that we’re always looking for new elements that keep the Dos Gringos bouquet line on the cutting edge. And we want to take action on your requests as well. Right now roses are a logical next step for us in our bouquet division – and Ecuador has the most impressive roses we’ve seen. Altitude, water supply, and 12 hours each of day and night are an ideal combination for growing roses. Nothing that you don't know already. When we add Dos Gringos’ expertise in quality, transportation and logistics, we see some real opportunities for this team to be a premier provider. More to come on this by fourth quarter 2010. In Costa Rica, we see the possibility of growing a few summer "California flowers" in the winter there as well as adding some fun and funky foliages to our lines.

My "What I Did This Summer" report on the client side of the business includes fascinating trips to Florida, Arkansas, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, and Utah. I always enjoy any chance I can to see our flowers in stores in action, talk with in store flower people (only for a few minutes I promise) and see how we can serve everyone better.

While we pursue new and intriguing additions to our offerings, the Sunflower continues to shine. Have you noticed their prevalence in magazines, catalogs, billboards and other media? Some examples below show their widespread appeal and how they “work” in such a wide variety of environments. If your customers are asking about Sunflowers, make sure they get the best quality and the greatest selection that only Dos Gringos can deliver.

Enjoy and Hasta Luego,
Jason Levin



Getting closer to clients: Face-to-face feedback key to true partnerships Two successful trade shows, 12 customer sample reviews and some really effective in-house training have the sales team heading into fall with a renewed emphasis and energy around building relationships that go way beyond selling and delivering flowers. As Jason said, we are as determined as ever to be the partner you seek and the solutions expert you need.



June's International Floriculture Expo allowed Giustina Shaha, Jenny Butterfass and me to talk with dozens of existing and potential clients about all the exciting items in our fall line - did you catch the photos in the August issue of The Dirt? - as well as some of the most intriguing Sunflower varieties in the works. Closer to home at July's FPFC (Fresh Produce & Floral Council)Giustina, Kelly King and I enjoyed extensive one-on-one time with floral managers at the store level. Getting feedback from those of you closest to the end user is invaluable. We appreciate your time and insight very much, and we intend to use what you've told us to make your jobs as easy and effective as possible.

We were fortunate to be invited to over 12 clients’ sample reviews across the country this summer.

This involves visiting the business and looking at everything from quality to design to transportation and logistics issues. Again, the feedback here is so important to us. We took away some constructive suggestions on packing displays and some of the tests we've conducted, and we hear your desire for more and better educational tools regarding handling and care of our products. You may have noticed that was a big part of our web site redesign this summer.

At the end of August the entire sales team spent a couple days immersed in a training program that really lines up with the way we want - and need - to approach our client relationships. We've been challenged yet again to avoid convention and tradition and to look at the whole process

anew: not to identify a problem and prescribe a "fix" but rather to listen very thoughtfully to all you're telling us and to translate that information into ways we can truly connect and work together for long-term success and satisfaction.

If this new "stuff" sounds a little daunting, no worries. The team here is always up for a challenge and a shot at improvement. We'll embrace this with the same can-do attitude you've come to expect, and we hope you'll hold us accountable along the way!
































-