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A Conversation With Ruth Stone
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For over 25 years, Ruth Stone has supplied floral industry professionals and event planners with high-quality glass vases, decorative ceramic pots, and elegant garden planters. Her career in this industry has been nothing short of successful. After many years of hard work and dedication, she and her husband are finally able to relax and soak up the beautiful weather in Florida. We caught up with Ruth last week and listened as she reminisced about her journey with Vasesource and cheerfully described how her life has changed since she retired.
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Although originally from New York City, she's grown quite fond of living in the sunshine state. It was as if we could picture the beautiful house by a lake she just purchased and remodeled, and could hear the sweet melody of the birds crooning in her yard. "I enjoy waking up to the sound of the birds singing," she remarked. She spends her days enjoying art galleries, the theater and even saw Elton John in concert. It's safe to say Ruth is completely redefining what retirement means. "We plan on being really busy," she said regarding her plans for the future, which includes an upcoming orchid show.
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We also had the chance to talk about how she got started in the floral and event industry. Long before she began selling to garden centers, event planners, and flower shops she had a showroom in a New York gift building where she sold handbags as an independent sales representative. Although she always wanted to work in the fashion industry, she decided to pursue a new career. One of the businesses she was a sales representative for started selling a garden line. From there she made the switch and began representing more garden lines.
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One of her customers thought it would be a great idea for her to meet Itzik Yakobi since he had just started a company called Vasesource and was also selling glass vases, ceramic pots, garden planters, and event decor. "I adore Itzik," she said. "He was only in business for about a year when we met. The first warehouse was small, but I've enjoyed watching the company grow." Soon after, she became an independent sales representative for Vasesource. "Before the internet, I would have to go visit customers in person and bring catalogs with me," she mentioned. Ruth enjoyed meeting customers and making contacts, especially when she had a booth at the New York gift show.
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She grew close to some of her customers and has even developed friendships with a few that she plans on keeping in contact with now that she is retired. She also plans on continuing her friendship with Itzik. "He hasn't changed a bit," she said about her longtime friend. She may have said her farewells to the flower and event industry, but she's saying hello to a new and exciting world. One where she can enjoy wandering art galleries, the serene ambiance of her new home by a lake, and spending time with the ones she loves the most.
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Vasesource has its roots in New York City, where it was founded in
1998 by Itzik Yakobi, a man with grand designs on the floral
industry. Our aim is to provide an exceptional range of products
with personalized customer service. In 2014 Vasesource acquired
YBS Imports, a move that gave wholesale florists access to our
unique designs. Today we supply floral studios, event planners,
hotels and online stores along the East Coast, across the nation,
and around the world.