aboutus

About Our Business

Swan Valley Florist, LLC is a family owned and operated business in Saginaw, Michigan. Established
on November 1, 1999, owners Tom and Jean Matula, operate the store with their adult children
Heather, Jeremy, and daughter-in-law, Stephanie. The third generation of Matula's is being trained in
the store as we speak. Stephanie and Jeremy's children Emilie and Barrett come to work with mom
and help out.

A little about each of us:
Tom started training as a florist at the age of 15 in Bad Axe, Michigan at Henney's Greenhouse and
Flower Shop. He went to Michigan State University and enrolled in the floriculture degree program.
Tom graduated from MSU in 1968. He is a certified FTD Master Designer. Tom was one of the first
200 individuals in the United States to receive this distinction. This certification indicates that the
individual has passed testing areas which include flower care, design trends and flower varieties.
Tom continues to attend professional development classes to research up and coming styles.

Jean's background is in accounts payable and receivable. She worked for a number of years in that
field before beginning work as a part-time florist for her brother Dale, who also is a florist. Jean
arranges flowers, but her true specialty at Swan Valley Florist is Gourmet Gift & Fruit Basket making.
She is the one who puts the yummy treats which include hot cocoas, teas, cookies, candy, fruit and
cheese into a delightful surprise.

Heather, Tom and Jean's daughter, works at marketing the store. She went to Saginaw Valley State
University where she received both a bachelor's and master's degree. Her contributions at the flower
shop include developing the annual theme for the store van for the Shield's Homecoming festival
parade. She also develops trade show themes. Heather works at the store on weekends, holidays
and in the evenings as she works full time at AT&T in Saginaw. On holiday weekends, you can
usually find Heather in the van making those special deliveries.

Jeremy, Tom and Jean's son, also works at the store on weekends, holidays and in the evening. His
contributions include the creation of our twig wreaths and green planters. Jeremy also created the
store's website on his vacation from his full-time job at AT&T. He continues to market the flower shop
and often delivers flowers on his way home from work. On holiday weekends, Jeremy holds the
distinction as the fastest delivery route driver in Saginaw County.

Stephanie, Jeremy's wife, has worked in the retail as a store manager for many years. Her training in
the floral industry started recently. Her contributions to the store include new-age designs four the
younger crowd. She also keeps us up-to-date with color and style trends. Our wedding and corsage
work has taken on a new life with the inclusion of bead work, wire and trendy colors. Stephanie also
specializes in geometric and contemporary design forms.

Emilie, Jeremy and Stephanie's daughter, is beginning the 3rd generation of Matula's in the floral
industry. She is in first grade now and had to quit her "job" at the flower shop. Emilie does make it in
to "work" during her school holidays. Her special maps for Papa have seen some significant
improvement. Emilie also is great to have along in the van since she can now read the numbers on
the houses. Our van is probably the only one in Michigan equipped with a child safety seat!

Barrett, Jeremy and Stephanie's son, has started his arrangement making. He also does daily
inspections of all low-lying arrangements and inspects any flowers left out in buckets. Barrett also is
in charge of stomping down the cardboard boxes after the flowers are processes. He also helps take
out the trash and continues to help Papa with deliveries.

Isabella, Jeremy and Stephanie's daughter, is running around the store now. She made her first
arrangement recently, with Papa and Barrett helping her along. Grandma Jean is trying to teach her
how to do the accounting on the computer, however, Isabella is more interested in coloring at
Grandma's desk rather than actual work. She has started going on deliveries with Papa and her big
brother. She thinks it's very exciting.

The Matula Family saw two new additions in 2008.

Heather recently married, Patrick, on September the 13th. Patrick, is from the Alma area and is
learning the ropes of the floral industry. Patrick also works full-time at AT&T, like Heather and Jeremy,
and works mainly at holiday time and on weekends. Jeremy, is teaching Pat the fine art of delivery
making with good speed. If you happen to catch Patrick doing the Valentine's Day delivery run, be
sure to tell him Happy Birthday. His birthday is February 14th--the busiest flower holiday of the year!
His new mother-in-law calmly stated, "We'd be happy to celebrate your birthday, after the deliveries
are done."

Brock, Jeremy and Stephanie's son, is our newest baby. He just made into work for the first time
during 2008 Christmas season. Right now, he is just passed around to whomever isn't waiting on a
customer or on the phone. He sits on top of the design learning the industry and making sure
everyone sees him.