Favors For All OccasionsMelissa Lenweaver thought she had a novel idea for a new business, but her friends and family tried to dissuade her. "They all thought I should be wary of the turmoil involved in running your own business," Lenweaver said. "But I believed in my idea and I decided to do it anyway." Lenweaver's plan, first sprouted in 1990, was to sell flower-seed packets as western wedding favor, allowing guests to plant flowers in the newlywed couple's honor.
Once Lenweaver convinced her family and friends she was serious, they pledged their support. Her father, Tom Lenweaver, helped her design the packets and she decided to sell them nationally by placing ads in bridal magazines. Lenweaver launched "Forever & Always Co. LLC" with a single product: a packet of Forget-me-nots, with the newlywed couple's name and wedding date printed on the front. An inscription on the back said that planting the seeds would help ensure true, unforgettable love and happiness. After placing a small classified ad in Modern Bride magazine, Lenweaver received some scattered orders for western wedding favor. But it took time and diligence for Lenweaver to get a foothold in the business, and there were times when she considered giving up. But Lenweaver stuck with it, and today the company is blossoming and growing at a healthy pace. Lenweaver opened a small retail store in East Syracuse and introduced a Web site allowing customers to order online. She's also expanded her line of seeds packets, now offering six flower varieties and one cedar tree seed packet. Notepads with flowers not available in seed packets also are available. Lenweaver's product line also has expanded into a potpourri of bridal accessories, including ring pillows, unity candles and guest books. Getting to where she is now has been tough, and at one point sales were so discouraging Lenweaver started to take classes and study to become a teacher. Working full-time as a secretary/executive assistant and trying to run the business successfully at night was draining. "It was just terrible in the beginning," she said. "I tried not to get my hopes up. But it takes awhile for people who are interested in your product to plan and have their wedding, so there wasn't an instant sale. "But then my business started to really take off, and I figured I could go back to school anytime, but I can't always start a new business," she said. |