How to Make the Most of Opportunities: How a Simple Job at a Flower Shop Transformed into a $600M Global Business

The Story: Tariq Farid's Inspiring Journey

Tariq Farid's life story began when he immigrated to the United States at 13 years old. Facing financial hardship, he eagerly took on various jobs, including a humble position in a flower shop. This first job, seemingly insignificant, was where he learned valuable lessons in entrepreneurship and customer service. At 17, saw a small Flower Shop for sale, and asked Tariq to run the business. Knowing nothing about business, he said "Yes." He took on immense responsibility for a 17 year old and learning the intricacies of business management.

His next opportunity came when a regular customer asked him to do the flowers for his wedding. Tariq said no. But the customer insisted, “Well, I’ve never been married before, so we’re both in the same boat; don’t worry.”

With that vote of confidence and another stellar opportunity being thrown at him, he took on the job. With that attitude and with the confidence of his customer, he told the man standing in his shop that he would do it, not fully knowing how the job would get done.

The wedding was a success - at least the flowers were.

Tariq's journey reached a pivotal moment with the creation of Edible Arrangements, an innovative concept that combined his expertise in the flower industry with a unique idea.

As Tariq’s career propelled forward, his story comprised a series opportunities that Tariq took advantage of. After working in the flower business and getting to know his clientele, he came up with the idea for Edible Arrangements. Despite advice from people much more successful than him to nix the fruit idea and focus on what he knows, he added the the fruit arrangements option in his flower store.

His biggest opportunity came when Edible Arrangements was still in its very early stages and is what made the company into the household name it is today.

As Tariq describes it, the national journey of Edible Arrangements “started in 2000, when a gentleman walked into our shop and said, ‘Look, I was just visiting my mom in Boston and everybody loved this arrangement. Can I open one of these in Boston?’ And he goes, ‘Can I buy a franchise?’ Now, of course I knew about franchising, but I hadn’t thought about franchising Edible Arrangements.”

Channeling the mindset that had helped him achieve what he had, Tariq composed himself and said, “That sounds wonderful. We’ve thought about opening franchises. Let me talk to my lawyer [he didn’t have an lawyer], and I will get right back to you.” From there, Tariq followed what he had done so many times before: he made it up as he went along and learned along the way. Having no clue what he was doing had never stopped him from seizing an opportunity before.

The rest is history. Edible Arrangements has about 1,300 stores in about 10 countries, estimated at $600M in net worth.

The Underlying Philosophy

Tariq's story embodies the philosophy of recognising and embracing opportunities, even those that are disguised as challenges. It highlights the importance of a proactive mindset, the willingness to step out of one's comfort zone, and the ability to learn and adapt from every experience. Tariq's journey demonstrates that success often requires taking risks, being resilient, and maintaining a positive outlook, even in the face of uncertainty.

How This Relates to Your Career

In the context of career development, Tariq's story serves as a powerful reminder that opportunities for growth and success can present themselves in various forms. It encourages professionals to be open to new experiences, to take risks, and to learn from every situation. His journey illustrates that the skills and knowledge gained from each experience can lead to unforeseen successes. Tariq's story is a testament to the idea that with determination, hard work, and an open mind, one can turn even the most challenging circumstances into stepping stones for achievement and fulfilment in their career.