Deborah Carney
October 20, 2009
Mrs. Leontine (Tina) Harris
October 22, 2009
Want to express gratitude? “Say it with candy,” suggests Candy Bouquet owner Stacy Hebert.
Hebert opened her sweet-treat bouquet shop in Houma four weeks ago. And to her amazement, she has surpassed her starting goal.
“We would have been happy if we sold at least one bouquet a week,” she said. “Our goal was to start off small and then blossom. But the reception from the community has been great. Our customers have really shown us their appreciation for another alternative to giving flowers for a job well done or just to say ‘I love you’ or ‘Thank you.'”
Hebert bought into the franchise after researching several business ventures.
“I have always wanted to own my own business,” she said. “I wanted to do something that I would enjoy and something that would make people smile.”
Hebert considered a variety of options, including owning a restaurant or novelty store. None of those ideas seemed to fit, however. During the search, she saw that Candy Bouquet Internationals had franchises available. Finally, pay dirt.
As a new franchise owner, Hebert trained at the Candy Bouquet’s headquarters in Little Rock, Ark., getting hands-on instruction in making the product.
Hebert’s shop combines silk flowers and candy to form flower stems and blooms. The advantage of a candy bouquet versus a flower version, she said, is hers will never fade, wilt or die. And it’s tasty.
“Basically, instead of sending flowers that die, we make bouquets of candy that people can continue to enjoy for weeks to come after they receive it,” Hebert explained.
Candy bouquets can be customized for all occasions. And customers can even provide their own container. As long as it has an opening, Hebert said she can fill it.
“You would not believe the things that we can do with a container,” she said. “One lady brought us a tackle box because her father was an avid fisherman. Another lady brought us a container with a dancer theme. Whatever that person’s hobby is, we can fill a container with that theme.”
One of her most popular Candy Bouquet designs is the “Thanks a Million” bouquet. It is made with gold chocolate coins, money-maker mints and $100,000-printed cookies. Other favorites are the “Over the Hill” and “Happy Birthday” bouquets.
Candy Bouquet is a family affair, with Hebert’s sister-in-law Kelly Hebert overseeing the day-to-day operations weekdays while Hebert works a 9-to-5 job in New Orleans.
“Before I came into this completely, I wanted to see how things would go,” Hebert said. “So far, it’s been amazing. The amount of things we have been able to do in just a short time it’s amazing. We are very excited about the shop.
“I look forward to the evenings and weekends when I can come in here and help fill orders,” she continued. “It’s a stress reliever, I promise you. Nothing washes the day away better than making a beautiful arrangement that will bring a smile to someone’s face.”
With Halloween just over a week away, Hebert is hopeful for a good holiday season.
“We have a lot of creative things we do with Christmas- and Thanksgiving-themed containers,” Kelly Hebert said. “We look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Candy Bouquet owner Stacy Hebert makes one of her unique candy bouquets for a customer. The Corporate Drive shop has been open for only four weeks, and Hebert said she has already surpassed her first month’s goals. * Photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN
