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Where else can you find such day-to-day Sassiness?
From business issues to spa nights, from rubbing elbows with politicians and business leaders to sharing poetry, wine, and chocolate... it is all covered here in our blog.
Blog from the authors of the upcoming book The Sassy Ladies' eGuide: How to be Successful in Your First Year of Business. In this blog for women entrepreneurs, you will:
- Get a sneak preview of some of the concepts in the eGuide
- See interviews with other women business owners
- Read our sassy perspective on everyday business situations
- Learn which products and resources we recommend.
Join our conversations about the challenges and victories of having your own business. We want to hear your point of view—and your questions. Click on any title, and add your comments at the bottom of the page.
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Mar
6
Written by:
Michelle Girasole
3/6/2008 9:46 PM
 Monica Gerard went from playing in the symphony to running a wonderful bistro at Ferns and Flowers Tea House and Gardens. She shares the great story of how she made the transition—by building upon her husband’s florist business. Her success in the restaurant business has come from passion and persistence. Her story will inspire you and give you ideas on how to build your dream---one step at a time.
Listen now to Monica's interview.
How she got started
Monica left a 21-year career as a violinist in the RI Philharmonic and teacher to build a business based on her passion for cooking and baking. She joined her husband in business full-time when they bought their current property, an 1860’s farmhouse in Warwick, RI.
She was able to leverage the customer base from her husband’s retail florist business, to build up her side of the business over the first seven years. She started first with cakes and confections, then jumped in full-time with the restaurant. This started off as just one room serving tea and pastries, and grew quickly trying to meet the needs of customers – they wanted a greater menu, and to sit and linger over lunch and tea.
Monica’s Success Secrets
 Not knowing anything more than a love of food – she learned important lessons as she went along. By sticking to a bistro model, Monica is able to be careful of giving her time away; she stays balanced by being flexible, having a sense of humor, saying no, asking for help from supportive vendors and family members.
Advice can come from strangest of places, and she learned from everybody - even her toughest employees. Says Monica, “If it doesn’t feel good spiritually or mentally, then you shouldn’t be doing it.” For example, if a customer isn’t happy – then you do what it takes to make them happy, so the customer doesn’t tell ten people about a bad experience. Do what feels right, and if it doesn’t come easily, give up and try something else.
How to contact Monica:
1094 Centerville Road (117W), a mile off Rte 95, across from InSkip Motors.
Phone - 401-821-1447. Breakfast: Tues.-Sun.; Lunch Tues.-Sat.
http://www.fernsandflowers.com
She invites you to join her for afternoon tea, high tea, royal high tea, plus special events, showers, weddings, rehearsal dinners, meetings, etc. Come in, meet your friends and sit for 4 or 5 hours, having tea and enjoying this beautiful oasis, in the midst of busy Route 2!
These "Wisdom Through Experience" podcast interviews are brought to you by The Sassy Ladies (www.TheSassyLadies.com), an online resource for women entrepreneurs, and Every Company Counts, an initiative of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (www.everycompanycounts.com). |
Tags:
5 comment(s) so far...
Re: Wisdom Through Experience: Monica Gerard - from the orchestra to the tea house
hello all you sassy ladies!! here is a suggestion. one of the things i really like about what you are doing is that you look to create a connection between the person and the reader. and you make it personal. but once you do that, and you do it SO well, i often find myself wondering....."what does this person look like?".
i think adding a nice smiling picture of your subject would add another important link in connecting the reader to the experience of the person you have written about.
keep up the good work!
jeff
By jeff deckman on
3/11/2008 7:18 AM
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Photos
You're right, Jeff! Smiling faces add so much to the story. Especially recently, we have been striving to get photos for each woman we interview. If we don't have one at "production time", we tend to default to an image of their product or business, to keep things moving. (And some women are still shy about posting their pictures on the Internet.) So, we will definitely add "face photos" whenever we can, but the show must go on!! Thanks for the great feedback, Jeff!
By Michelle Girasole on
3/11/2008 8:57 AM
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Re: Photos
Hello,
I am Michael, her husband. and I happen to come across your site.
You can see a picture of her here:
http://www.fernsandflowers.com/bullets.html?bullet=description_4
Many years ago while preforming violin services for wedding, baking the wedding cakes, I would decorate the cakes with flowers and deliver the reception, crossing paths. She is still just as beautiful to today!
also, feel free to visit our blog at:
www.fernsandflowers.wordpress.com
By Michael Gerard on
9/19/2008 10:33 AM
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Re: Wisdom Through Experience: Monica Gerard - from the orchestra to the tea house
Michael, that is so sweet! You both have a wonderful thing going together! Thanks for sharing. Michelle
By Michelle on
9/22/2008 8:38 AM
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Re: Wisdom Through Experience: Monica Gerard - from the orchestra to the tea house
Monica, I am so proud of you.
You are an inspiration and beautiful inside and out!
Thanks for all that you have introduced me to.
By Martinha on
11/7/2008 6:08 PM
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