Blooming with Happiness
Emily Betler didn't want a typical 9-to-5 job. She graduated from Penn State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Agricultural Sciences in plant science horticulture and a minor in international agriculture. In 2024, she added an MBA from the Smeal College of Business at Penn State. Along the way, she interned at a greenhouse in North Carolina and, in 2022, studied abroad in Kenya, where she taught children how to grow their food for themselves and their families. Enter an opportunity at McCandless Floral.
Emily worked in various capacities at McCandless Floral, located at 8601 Old Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, 15237, in McCandless Township, for three years. By May 2024, she was employed full-time and was named store manager in July 2024. The shop owner, Janet Woloszyk, hadn't planned on selling it. Still, after 49 years of ownership and her great admiration of Emily, the plans to sell the business to Emily went into motion. Emily took over as the new owner in December 2024, and happily, Janet remains involved in the business as a consultant.
Under Emily's ownership, McCandless Floral continues to thrive and serve the Pittsburgh community. According to Emily, 20% to 25% of the business is weddings. Daily deliveries to nearby Passavant Hospital, funeral arrangements, private parties, and walk-ins are also a big part of their work.
Special occasions, including Valentine's Day in February, Mother's Day and high school proms in May, homecoming dances in the fall, and Thanksgiving and Christmas in the winter, are all high-demand flower events. "I love the variety of this job," said Emily.
Emily also enjoys partnering with other local businesses by sourcing many flowers from local vendors and carrying locally made products in the shop.
"Flowers are a part of everyday life. You get to be here for the good times and the hard times. It's a blessing," Emily recently said. We hope that she keeps on spreading her unique joy for at least another 49 years.
Visit McCandless Floral at 8601 Old Perry Highway in McCandless Township or at www.mccandlessfloralinc.com.
'Twas (Almost) The Night Before Christmas
Dear Friends,
With Christmas only days away, you might be feeling a bit stressed because you haven't yet found the perfect toy or gift for that special little person (or little people) on your list. Fear not! I have been featuring some of my favorite local small businesses during this holiday season and no list would be complete without Fun Buy The Pound. This magical toy store located at 406 Beaver Street in Sewickley, PA is truly one of a kind.
Meet owner Brenda Fisk and store manager, who is also Brenda's daughter, Emily.
Fun Buy The Pound opened in 2005. "We always wanted to do this," Brenda told me. Her husband gave her a rental lease as a Christmas gift 15 years ago and they opened the toy store the following May. Since then they have been delighting the young and the young-at-heart with a magical array of toys and their unique brand of customer service.
I asked Emily how long she's been working at the store and she smiled and said, "Since I was 10 years old!" She started by sorting Legos in the back room and has worked her way up to store manager. In fact, all of Brenda's five children have at one time or another worked at the store. "They all learned great customer service here," said Brenda.
It's almost impossible to walk into the store and not smile! From ceiling to floor and in every nook and cranny, you are surrounded by toys, games, plush animals, and even a beautiful collection of infant and children's clothing.
I asked Brenda and Emily why they have been so successful for so many years. "It's the personal touch that we provide," Brenda said. Customers know that they can stop at the store on their way to a birthday party and leave with not only a great gift, but also with the gift beautifully wrapped for free. "We also know our toys!" added Brenda. "We handpick everything. I think about my five kids and what they would have liked when they were younger. And I now have seven grandchildren who are all my toy testers!"
Brenda and Emily also shared that Fun Buy The Pound is very much part of the Sewickley community. Customers who have since moved away stop by when they're home visiting family or friends. Many customers return to the store year after year with their children and now their grandchildren. Emily shared some of the great testimonials from their youngest guests including, "I want to live here!" "Adults should buy toys instead of insurance. They'd be happier!" And, "How many years until I can work here?"
With such a feeling of joy and happiness in the store I asked Brenda and Emily what the best thing is about working at the toy store. "The magic of it. And working with Emily," said Brenda. "It's a nice place to go every day," said Emily.
Doesn't get any better than that, friends.
Happy holidays!