Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The Dirt - May Issue








In the mad rush and juggling act that define Mother’s Day preparation and fulfillment, I am struck again by the freshness of our product and how it literally permeates everything we do. All the technology, the advances and innovation on the production floor, our meticulous seed selection, the focus on forecasting, even the design and creative combinations we’re so proud of – all of them are all about freshness and how to make the most of it.

At every turn, this team “gets” it: Maximum freshness = your flowers last longer = a better experience for our clients and for your consumer.

Master Grower Todd Thornton is a huge asset to our freshness initiative. His highly trained and watchful eye over each step of the process allows us to say with confidence that our Sunflowers are fresher than anyone else’s. Because all of our farms are in California or Mexico, there are no flights for flowers to linger on and absolutely no delays from harvest to cooler. Think about the difference that makes!

In this issue, Dos Gringos leaders give a glimpse of their specific role in making sure we’re fresher than the competition. I think you’ll like what you see. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like more information.






Kathie Stemig

The “strange” story that ends with Kathie Stemig becoming a Dos Gringos Business Development Manager actually begins in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Working at a flower kiosk in the heart of the “flower world,” Kathie found herself chatting with a fellow American – Jason Levin. “I just sent you my resume!” Kathie told him upon seeing Jason’s business card. A few months later Kathie was headed back across the water to her native Southern California, ready to bring her experiences from abroad full circle.

“I started working in flower shops when I was 16, and I’ve been in the business ever since,” says Kathie. “I believe that my product knowledge and design experience will help me to give our clients here at Dos Gringos the best service possible.”

What’s so great about joining Dos Gringos? “I’ve seen so many changes in this business over the years. Especially now, when the economic picture is tough for everyone, it’s great to be with a company that’s growing and thriving. The team here enjoys coming to work every day, and there’s a real sense of team spirit. I’m getting great guidance and feedback from everyone, I feel like part of the family, and that’s very important to me. In just three weeks I’ve learned a million things. I can’t wait to see what happens next for me as a member of this amazing team.”

Kellie King

The way Kellie sees it, her move to Dos Gringos is a “perfect opportunity” to combine her past work in sales with her years of experience with flowers (she and colleague Kathie Stemig share the “high school flower shop gig” thing).

“After researching the company and meeting the leadership team I just kept thinking how great it would be to sell something I’ve always enjoyed working with and being around,” says Kellie. “This really is a combination of my past work experience.”

A number of positives resonate with Kellie after her first three weeks as Business Development Manager. She especially appreciates the flexibility and creativity in catering to customers. “I love the focus here on the customer and on delivering a quality product. There are tools and resources at our fingertips, but the structure never seems to get in the way of providing the best customer service.”

The individual strengths of co-workers combine to make a strong team at Dos Gringos, Kellie notes, but she’s even more impressed by how it all “comes together to service Dos Gringos’ customers. Every idea is valued, every person is considered part of the team. The coaching and mentoring are terrific; I’ve really enjoyed learning how each department and work stream affects the others. I feel like I have a great foundation to learn more about how our clients operate and to grow the business.”







Josefina graduated from the University of Phoenix this weekend. She graduated with a bachelors in Business Administration. She was trying to keep it on down low but that’s impossible here. We love to share good news. Congrats Fina!






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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Mass Market - Dora The Explorer

Dora The Explorer

Explore super high floral sales in your department with Dora the Explorer bouquets!

Dora the Explorer bouquets provide a unique opportunity to make floral sales in your department jump super high. Dora is a huge hit with preschool children and moms. The flowers are bright and sunny, and each bouquet comes with a free activity booklet which invites kids on an adventure, just like her #1-rated television show. Plus, kids learn the Spanish word for flowers, and how they can help care for them.

Collect All Six Activity Books - Click here to see all titles

Dora's Flower Care Tips

Wow! Someone at your house bought some beautiful flowers today. I like flowers. They smell nice and make me feel happy. Just like you and me, they need someone to care for them. Clean water and food and are important. Can you help take care of the flowers you just got? Great! read more>

Explore Flower Care Tips with Dora!

¡Fantástico! Someone at your house just bought flowers! ¡Las flores!

I learned how to take great care of flowers at Isa’s Flowery Garden. They need water, and food, and light.
Do you want to know how to take care of the flowers you just got? Great! ¡Vámonos! Let’s go!

I know four things you can do to make your arrangement last a long time.

1). Ask a grown-up to help you fill a vase with water and sprinkle flower food into the water. Flower food helps flowers stay alive and healthy.

2). Ask a grown-up to carefully cut off the bottom of each stem before it goes into the water. This helps each flower drink the water it needs. Also, make sure that any leaves on the stem are always ABOVE water, and keep the water clear of leaves and icky stuff. Living things like clean water!

3). Keep an eye on the water. The vase should always be at least half full. When you see the water getting low, add more, so the flowers can keep drinking. Flowers get thirsty, just like explorers like us!

4). Watch out for Swiper. Don’t let him get away with your pretty bouquet.

I know an explorer like you will do a great job taking care of your new flowers! See you soon!

¡Hasta pronto!

Press Release

12.15.2005
EXCELLENTE! NICK JR.’S “DORA THE EXPLORER” IS MAKING TRACKS TO THE FLOWER AISLE; BOUQUET-BOOK COMBO ATTRACTS KIDS AND PARENTS ALIKE

San Diego (Dec. 15th , 2005) – Nick Jr.’s hit preschool series “Dora the Explorer” will spring into grocery stores in January 2006 with the “Dora Bouquet,” a bright flower arrangement from new licensee Dos Gringos.

Every floral arrangement will include an educational, interactive activity book that invites kids on an adventure with their friend Dora. A series of six different books will be available, each including tips from Dora on how to care for the arrangement.

“We are always looking for ways to expose more people to flowers,” said Jason Levin, Dos Gringos president. “This partnership with Nick Jr. is an ideal way to reach out to an audience not typically targeted by flower companies. We’re excited to blaze this trail and promote kids’ ongoing interest in the beauty of flowers and foliage. This program is an investment in the future.”

The “Dora Bouquet” is expected to appeal not just to people who regularly stop in the flower aisle, but to first-time or infrequent flower buyers as well. Levin said it may also help justify the flower purchase for those customers who typically consider it a luxury. Kids love Dora, adults love flowers – everybody wins!

Dora the Explorer, which airs at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.. weekdays on Nick Jr. and weekends on CBS (check local listings), is a play-along, animated adventure series starring Dora, a seven-year-old Latina heroine whose adventures take place in an imaginative, tropical world filled with jungles, beaches and rainforests. Dora explores her world just as preschoolers do everyday, and the show is designed to actively engage its audience in an interactive quest using a variety of learning techniques.

In every episode, Dora and Boots invite the audience to participate in an exciting adventure, where each step of their journey consists of a problem or puzzle that Dora and the audience must think their way through in order to solve the next problem. Dora is proudly bilingual and uses her knowledge of English and Spanish to communicate with her friends, overcome obstacles and reach her goals. In each episode, Dora teaches a Spanish word or phrase to the viewers and then asks them to use it to solve a problem and forge ahead. Ultimately, Dora and her best friend, Boots, triumph, and the story always ends with a “We Did It!” anthem.

Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. (ET/PT) and weekends on CBS (check local listings). Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.’s Emmy, Peabody and Parents’ Choice Award-winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free. At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.

Nickelodeon, now in its 26th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in 89 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for ten consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Dos Gringos is an innovative contract grower of unique fresh cut flowers, foliage and botanicals.

© 2006 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Dora The Explorer and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Season Catalogs

Seasonal Bouquet Catalogs

Your floral department will draw customers with the unique Dos Gringos designs of our Creative Director René van Rems, AIFD. Our seasonal catalogues feature a selection of bouquets designed based on feedback from you!


Transportation



Transportation

Strategically located between Los Angeles and San Diego, we offer three daily deliveries to San Diego International Airport; two daily direct deliveries to Los Angeles International Airport in refrigerated trucks; and daily delivery to L.A. market X-Docks. Our close proximity to major interstate trucking companies lengthens order deadlines and allows our partners a more flexible supply chain.

We don’t stop there. Our transportation and logistics professionals can design and develop the best solution for you. Let us know your unique needs and expectations today.




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E-Commerce

E-commerce Fulfillment

Dos Gringos designs, packs, and ships a variety of fresh, contemporary bouquets for several internet suppliers.

Purchase Online Now!

Mass Market

National Market Product Line

Beautiful Dos Gringos consumer bunches are available in grocery stores across the country.

We’ve had good success in this growing segment, and we continue to design and develop innovative programs for these customers.



Examples of Retail-Ready Programs include:

Dora the Explorer (learn more)
Explore super high floral sales in your department with Dora the Explorer bouquets!

Dora the Explorer bouquets provide a unique opportunity to make floral sales in your department jump super high. Dora is a huge hit with preschool children and moms. The flowers are bright and sunny, and each bouquet comes with a free activity booklet which invites kids on an adventure, just like her #1-rated television show. Plus, kids learn the Spanish word for flowers, and how they can help care for them.


Helping Kids Bloom (learn more)
Everyone wins when a child grows well.

Since 2004, Dos Gringos and partners have raised over $21,000 for children’s charities that promote and provide character-building activities for kids.


Half Pallet Shipper (learn more)
A great in-store way to engage your customers, enlighten them and energize sales. Easy to manage and set up. Pallets designed for all major holidays and events.





















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Wholesale


Wholesale Product Line

Wholesale customers put Dos Gringos on the map. We are grateful for the loyalty and support, and we remain committed to the ever-growing number of wholesale customers who make up the majority of our customer base. You have challenged us to adapt, grow, and improve. Today we are proud to offer industry-leading grower bunches, mixed boxes, and bouquets for our wholesale customers. We can wet or dry pack according to your needs, we offer a wide selection of shipping methods, and we operate a state-of-the-art bouquet line exclusively for wholesale business.


Can’t find what you need? Our sales staff will design a custom-made solutions package just for your organization. Contact us today to uncover the potential!

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