The Flower Group Team

“The Flower Group team is a bevy of charismatic individuals who time and time again deliver excellent customer service, outstanding quality and superior knowledge of the international floral industry. Working with such a fantastic source for wholesale floral and supply products has enabled me to grow in my knowledge of floral options not only on a daily offering to my clientele but also on a seasonal and special event basis.

My business is built on providing incredible floral creations for weddings, funerals, special events and my walk-in consumer. The Flower Group has worked with me to ensure that my reputation is built on stellar quality, varied choice, and will source floral options for the discerning client. Many, many thanks on making the floral wholesale experience as pleasant as I have endeavored so to create the floral retail experience for my customers!

– Deborah Loewen
Blossom Floral Gallery
High River, ab

The Flower Group has been owned and operated by Jay and John Watson, a husband and wife team, since 1993. John became interested in purchasing The Flower Group after he became acquainted with the former owner through his father’s hiking club. He began working with the former owner to learn about the company until he was ready to run it himself. Jay, who was currently working for Canada Trust, quit her job to form a new kind of partnership with her husband.

The Flower Group began as a wholesale and retail flower business. They sold to other retail flower shops and also had a design department to serve the public. In 2000 they sold the design department and became strictly wholesale. Since then, The Flower Group has moved twice, built a brand new cooler, and has begun selling floral supplies in addition to fresh product.

Jay and John are extremely dedicated to both their staff and their customers. They have maintained long-term relationships through their strong moral values and sense of fairness. They dedicate their success to their staff and customers.

Staff Profiles

The Flower Group’s non-commission sales team is made up of people with strong customer service values and excellent product knowledge. Many of the staff members are former designers and all have been in the fresh flower industry for many years.

• Debbie Carmichael

  Operations & Sales Manager

  
  

  Debbie began her career in the retail floral industry in Winnipeg.  She has years of retail floral design experience and operated her own in home flower business.  Debbie manages and coordinates the activity in the operations area of the company.  She has the authority and experience to make decisions that will serve the customer well.  She has worked for Jay and John since they purchased the company in 1993 and is highly relied upon.

• Margaret Kruisenga

  Sales Representative

  
  

  Margaret is the most experienced member of our selling team in the wholesale industry and has worked for The Flower Group for over 10 years.  She has achieved a reputation for her ability to connect with the customer while providing the product and service they need.  Her warm, calm demeanor combined with vast knowledge makes her an excellent sales representative.

• Julie Smeed

  Sales Representative

  
  

  Julie has flair for floral arranging and color coordination.  These attributes combined with attention to detail makes her very popular with customers.  Julie is a manager within the sales team and is a great problem solver and quick decision maker.  She can be relied upon to quickly understand and act upon customer needs.  Her sense of humor makes her friendly and fun to communicate with.

• Erin Linn

  Sales Representative

  
  

  As a member of the sales team, Erin serves the customers in the fresh department, but also directs the supply department.  Erin has spent the last year establishing the supplies department so The Flower Group can offer its customers the same service in supplies as in fresh product.  Her friendly enthusiastic personality has led her to be very successful in her position.

• Kelly Crawford

  Sales Representative

  
  

  Kelly joined the sales team in April 2005.  Her experience includes the operation and management of a group of retail floral shops.  She places importance on filling customer orders with attention to completeness, quality and color.  Kelly’s retail design experience helps her to understand customer needs and offer suggestions.  She is extremely organized and is excellent at managing special orders to ensure customers get the product they need.

• Starla Ahh

  Sales Support / Inventory Receiving

  
  

  Starla is new to the floral industry.  Starting with The Flower Group in October 2006 in the receiving department, she has learned flower recognition, flower handling, and care.  Starla has been wonderful support for the sales staff, helping them pull and pack orders.  During the next year, Starla will continue to work with the sales staff and provide assistance to customers.