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October 26th 2015

Record Breaking Weekend

Written by
Floret

View More: http://wildflowersphotos.pass.us/floretOver the the past few months, the team and I have poured so much time and effort into working through all the pieces and parts to opening up the registration for our 2016 workshops.  We wanted to give plenty of notice so that everyone would be aware of registration and have plenty of time to plan. We wanted to offer the scholarships before (versus after) registration opened this year.  Plus we made a ton of other little tweaks behind the scenes to improve and expand the workshops for our participants.

Then–like many of you–we waited with anxious anticipation until the clock struck 8 on Saturday morning. Just two minutes into the launch and our best-laid plans flew right out the door. The inbox went from 5 to 50, to 148 and kept climbing rapidly for the rest of the day. It left all of us speechless and short of breath.  The crush of site visitors seemed to have been too much for our shopping cart and server and it crashed.

To those that were frustrated by the process, I want to offer you my sincerest apologies.  Believe me, I shared your frustrations.  Times 10.  Times 100. It was a tough weekend for everyone involved. Our little team especially.

To those of you that patiently waited while we scrambled to figure out a backup system to handle registrations, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude.  To those of you who sent encouraging notes and supportive comments, you can’t imagine how uplifting they were.  The outpouring of support in the midst of the tech crisis was unbelievably encouraging.

We had no idea the response would be this great for our 2016 offerings. We filled every seat in a matter of hours and had to open up two more dates to accommodate the overflowing waiting list. We’re still working our way through it, trying to make more dreams happen, but sadly there just aren’t enough spots for everyone who wants to attend.

If you are still on the waiting list, you will be hearing back from us by midweek at the latest. If you aren’t on the list but want to be, I’m sorry to say that we are unable to add any more names at this time.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this happening. All I can say is THANK YOU!

A huge shout out to our office manager, Jill, who handled the nightmarish situation with such grace and humor. For ten hours straight on Saturday, she worked her way through the unending flood of emails that poured in, all while juggling two little kiddos and hundreds of texts and calls from the rest of the team. I am still in awe and how she juggled it all.

11 Comments

  1. crawford on

    Many thanks to Jill for her grace under fire! I was one of those people waiting for the moment to arrive when I could sign up for one of your workshops! Or crash your purchasing cart as the case may be. I feel so honored to have a seat at the table in May, can’t wait to visit Floret and learn from the experts!

    Reply
  2. VillageKid on

    I am thrilled for you and the team, but most of all for all of those who will get a chance to attend the various workshops. The chance to spend time with other great people who have creative minds is a blessing in itself.

    Here is to a great 2016 for all ‘flower people’!!

    Reply
  3. Marie on

    Thank you Jill for your infinite patience, and being so kind and professional in the billions of emails flying back and forth!

    Reply
  4. plantmut on

    I also wouldn’t mind being on a waiting list for next year or the year after.

    Reply
  5. Pilar Zuniga on

    Waiting list for 2017? ;)
    But seriously, I can wait two years as needed.
    Congrats on your high demand!
    Cheers, Pilar

    Reply
  6. Mira on

    I am so in awe of your team and your grace under pressure. Congratulations on all the interest your company has inspired. I can’t wait to meet you next fall.

    Reply
  7. Jillian on

    So great to see your success! I was thinking of that quote you share, “The worst disaster is a full harvest”. The worst disaster is a “full workshop”, ahhh, especially when your servers go down! Glad you made it through that!

    Reply
  8. Terri B-C on

    This is not surprising to me… You have created such an amazing business and you provide all of us with such inspiration, light and love in such a way that why wouldn’t we all want to participate in those wonderful workshops??
    Good for you guys… And thank heaven for technical savvy folks! I didn’t apply this time as the funds weren’t readily available, but you are on my bucket list!
    God bless you and the whole team!

    Reply
  9. LIZ on

    Yup…it was just like waiting to get those Grateful Dead tickets. I didn’t make it in, but next year, maybe.

    Reply
  10. Deanna on

    I just started reading Growing Mindset tonight and it reminds me so much of you….facing he challenges chin up, ready to learn, and grow! Thank you-and the team-for all you do to help us grow (literally and figuratively!)

    Reply
  11. Estefania on

    Congratulations to you and your outstanding team!! I am very happy for you, you deserve all this love and support. The love and light you put in everything you do is noticeable and inspirational!
    Saturday was an exciting and suspenseful day on this end too. I feel so honored to have the opportunity to meet you next year. Thank you again for all your work, the fabulous blog posts, the marvelous photographs and heavenly flowers. With heartfelt gratitude.
    Estefania.

    Reply

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