Frank
Viviano’s grandfather came to the United States from Sicily with intentions to
open a produce shop. While this initial
produce venture was unsuccessful, the family found its niche in flowers opening
a successful store in 1937 in Detroit.
This first shop is still open today, run by Frank’s cousin who is the
largest florist in Michigan. Frank’s
father expanded the family business into Ohio, buying Toledo’s Bartz Florist in
1964. Being a 3rd generation
florist, Frank grew up in the flower business and has a true passion for
providing the best of flowers and plants to his customers.
Being a
floral shop, Bartz Viviano has the expected bustling business periods: Mother’s
Day, wedding season, and of course Valentine’s Day. Frank says the shop does 15 times more
business on Valentine’s Day than any normal day. To keep up with demand, Bartz
Viviano expanded to a second store located in nearby Oregon, Ohio and in all
total the two stores employ just under 50 people.
While it
remains a local small business, the shop still receives flowers from as far
away as South America and the Netherlands.
As the store grew, so too did its product offerings to the point that
today 20% of their business comes from non-flower sales such as gift items and
other plants.
Frank sees
his membership with NFIB stemming from an alignment of priorities. “NFIB is in tune with my philosophy” Viviano
says. He also values NFIB giving small-business
owners more of a voice, saying business owners don’t have time to head to
Columbus or DC to lobby for themselves on a regular basis.
Even long-standing
businesses as entrenched in the community as Bartz Viviano face
challenges. Frank says it is becoming
harder and harder for small shops to survive, as big box stores hold a number
of cost advantages. Of course the
omnipresent issues of government inefficiency and taxation also affect Bartz
Viviano as they do every other small business.
Utilizing the internet as an ordering vehicle has also been a project
that has absorbed a lot of time and resources, but is necessary to remain
competitive.
Despite
these challenges, Frank Viviano still loves being a small-business owner. When asked the best parts of owning your own
business Frank mentions the ability to make your own decisions and having
passion for the product you are selling.
As Bartz Viviano celebrates its 50th year of business in
2014, Frank looks forward to continuing to providing high quality flowers to
the Toledo area.
To find them on the web please visit: http://www.bartzviviano.com/
