Steve Papoulakos/Business Owner/The American Triumph Journal

Many Americans make huge investments of money and time into starting a new
business. Unfortunately, many times these hopeful entrepreneurs efforts do not pay
off. A 2008 report from the SBA (United States Small Business Agency) states that one
third of new businesses fail within the first two years of operation. The report also
estimates that 2007 ended with 560,300 businesses failing and 28,322 businesses filing
for bankruptcy. Steve Papoulakos is a business owner who has beaten the odds.
Americantriumphjournal.com spoke with Steve Papoulakos July 29, 2008; at the time he
was 53-years-old. In the following paragraphs, his triumph will be celebrated.

Papoulakos is the president of Vogue Flowers and Gifts Ltd. headquartered at 1114 N.
Boulevard, Richmond, Va. Vogue provides a wide variety of trendy floral designs to
satisfy the needs for all types of events and occasions. His business has been in
operation for 23 years as of March 2008. He prides himself on being able to provide
quality service at competitive prices. As president, Papoulakos, oversees all his
departments which include marketing, sales, delivery, buying, wholesale and residential
interior landscaping. He has 50 employees and five store locations in the Richmond-
Metro area. Vogue Flowers can be found at 1114 E. Main Street, 106 N. Parham Rd,
1100 N. Boulevard, 10060 Midlothian Turnpike and 1114 N. Boulevard. He gave insight
to the future for Vogue and advice for business owners.

“Vogue is still growing and evolving," Papoulakos said. "Best advice to business owners
is don't rely on past successes."

Papoulakos was born in Greece. He came to America 26 years ago and has been living
in Richmond for the last 23 years. He is the youngest of seven children and his parents
were dairy farmers. He attended Sparta high school, in Greece. He is a graduate of
Lehman College, located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard, W. Bronx, N.Y. He majored in
biochemistry. He said, It was his parents dream for him to enter medical school and
become a doctor. In the end, he decided that was not where his passions lied. He
described himself as artistic and he said, he desired to do something creative.

“My parents were heartbroken when I left medical school,” he said.

His first full time job after college was as a waiter for a restaurant in Westchester County,
N.Y. when he was 22-years-old. Soon after, he went to work for Michael's Florist.
There, he found something to love and began to study the business. After gaining some
experience, he briefly moved back to Greece and started a citrus nursery. That
business venture proved to be unsuccessful and he soon moved back to the United
States. Still having an entrepreneurial itch, he decided to start another business. This
time it would be flowers instead of fruit. On March 15, 1985, Vogue was launched. It
was a huge investment that didn't show any immediate profit, but Papoulakos knew this
is what he wanted to do. He gave insight on his feelings during the initial start up period.

“There is a saying in Greece, when you're on the dance floor you got to dance,” he said.

For him the only option was success. He said, he didn't give thought to anything else
during this time. His determination was strengthened with the support of his wife, Ellen.
He said, it took two years for Vogue to pay for itself. He said, his wife supported him
during that time. They have been married for 28 years.

Papoulakos did several key things that attributed to his success. He said, he provided
superior services for less money than his competitors. In the beginning, he said, he
would cut a competitor's price in half. From the beginning, Vogue has always had large
variety of flowers and unique design concepts. He has his flowers imported from all
around the world. A lot of their themes are consistent with an airy garden look
associated with European styles. He said, his ability to be trendy has helped. He said,
Vogue consistently changes with the times.

Vogue's headquarters at 1114 N. Boulevard is also a retail flower market. It is a two
story building, where Papoulakos spends a lot of time in his offices upstairs. When he is
downstairs in the store, he greets customers many of whom he knows by name. His
personality is warm and inviting. He prides himself on providing excellent customer
service and this too has helped him to grow his company.

Today, Papoulakos owns a home in Hanover County, whom he shares with his wife. She
still throws much support for his business today. Besides giving emotional support, she
has contributed to one of the Web sites for Vogue; read her blog entry at

Papoulakos has prepared expert information for people interested in planting and
growing flowers in the summer; read his blog entry at

www.vogueflowers.com/blog/five-great-tips-to-growing-your-own-fresh....

“My parents taught me hard work and honesty," said Papoulakos, reflecting on what he
learned from childhood. "My dad didn't do contracts, his word was written in stone.”

July 29, 2008

Vogue Flowers and Gifts Ltd. also does business as The Flower Market and Vogue Flowers.

The American Triumph Journal is a free online magazine.

Steve Papoulakos

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