The Tree House Flower Shoppe has been in business since 1975, but it truly became a force in 2001 when Earl Crawford and his wife assumed ownership. At the time, the Internet was just emerging as a valuable business tool. The Crawfords jumped on the new technology right away, recognizing the potential value in it. “My wife decided to get the website and I didn’t know if it would make any impact. We didn’t expect it to be that big,” says Earl. “It’s worked out really well for us.”
The Tree House Flower Shoppe now does 60-to-70 per cent of its business through its online store. “Our shop is expanded from a local flower shop into such a huge business,” says Earl. “From a little local corner store where people in our neighbourhood come to shop, we now have presence all over the world. It’s mind-boggling.”
