Posy Pot Receives April Recognition
The Wells County County Chamber of Commerce staff, Ambassadors, friends and family surprised Donna Anderson, owner of Posy Pot, as the April member of the month. Anderson has owned the business for 36 years.
Anderson has always been around the floral business since she was young. Her grandparents and parents worked at Wabash Avenue Greenhouse and would bring home flowers for her to arrange and practice. Anderson started working for Posy Pot in high school when Pat Connor and Jane Bossart owned the business in the mid-1970’s in downtown Bluffton, which was located in the lot across from the Post Office.
“Flowers have always been my life and it’s all I have ever done,” stated Anderson. Anderson and her husband, Jim, bought Posy Pot in 1985 and stayed in the downtown until 1991, then moved to the current location at 126 West Townley.
“When I started working for Pat and Mary Jane, I learned that you had to actually make money at this business and not just stuff flowers in a vase but to create a design for customers,” said Anderson. “I learned through being mentored and going to seminars and workshops, while continuously learning to create memories for a customer.”
Post Pot offers fresh flowers, plants, planters, weddings, funerals, anniversaries, birthdays, and celebrations. Anderson stated she will go into homes and decorate and will do anything that has to do with floral, home décor, and home interiors. “I do it all.”
Anderson said she was born and raised in Wells County and loves this community. “When my husband Jim passed away, the community totally looked out for me and the boys, who were very young at the time. There isn’t a better place to live than in Wells County. This is just an awesome community.”
Anderson loves people and being a part of the customers’ life is her goal when creating an arrangement or picking out a gift that is unique for them. “This isn’t about me, but for the customer, as it has always been since the beginning.”
“I have been very blessed because I have been able to raise four boys owning a flower shop and that is amazing when you think about it,” stated Anderson. “I do this business because I love it. There is not a day I come in that I do not love what I do and if you love what you do, you don’t work a day in your life. I am a part of lives and experience so many moments, journeys they encounter, along with celebrations and heartaches. I walk alongside with people in those moments and that is what I love.”
Anderson believes in supporting the community whether it be through fundraisers or decorating for proms and graduations. “I try to give the best value for the money. It is not about making a huge living through this business; however, it’s about being a part of the community.”
Anderson was incredibly surprised by the honor and said she is truly very blessed that she has made so many friendships over the years. “I couldn’t imagine doing this business in any other community; I really couldn’t.”
