As a special addition to our member promotion services, the Chamber is now offering a free Featured Member Profile, which will be printed in the Chamber View and posted on the website for a month, then moved into a prominently-placed online archive for the remainder of the year.  To win this free publicity, just drop your business card into the Featured Member Fishbowl at each monthly Networking Mixer and be present for the drawing.  For more information, call the Chamber, 410-719-9609.

Featured Member

January 2010

A Fruitful Venture –
Maryland’s First Edible Arrangements Franchise Thrives in Catonsville

“My son asked me a while back, ‘When are you going to have another baby, Mom?’ And I told him, ‘Sweetie, I already have another baby – it’s called Edible Arrangements!’” Cathy Schneider leans forward, underlining the words with her hands, then sits back, flipping her hair back with a smile.

“I can’t believe it’s been four years since I launched this store,” she says, shaking her head. Behind her, the upper shelf of her desk is loaded with artistic variations on her company’s trademark fruit arrangements.

It’s been – as you might say – a fruitful four years. Her “baby” – the first Edible Arrangements franchise in Maryland – is thriving, open seven days a week and “blessed,” she says, with a great staff. The corner bookcase in her office is packed with community service awards from the Howard County Public School System, Coastal Sunbelt Fruit, the Children’s Home, and the Catonsville Chamber of Commerce. And her order book is filled with new and repeat customers.

Ms. Schneider’s achievements testify to her ferocious networking, passionate community involvement, and 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. “I’m a real stickler for quality,” she says, “and I treat people as I would want to be treated. And I’ve had customers say, ‘I would pass by two of your competitors to come to you, because I know you’ll take care of us.’”

She brings that passion with her to events like the Taste of Catonsville and Chamber mixers; the Women’s Expo; the Catonsville Arts and Crafts Festival, the Howard County Arts Council, the Restaurant Association of Maryland gala, not to mention the Taste of Maryland in Annapolis. Those who have sampled her fruit arrangements can testify to the unforgettable impression they make.

“All of our fruit is cut fresh,” she says, “and if it’s left on the skewers and rewrapped in its original wrapper, it will last two to three days – except that it will have been eaten long before that! It’s the perfect personal or corporate gift. We can tailor the arrangement to the client’s needs – we have arrangements for $15 and over $200, and we have special arrangements for the kids, like Scooby-Doo and Spiderman. Kids love our arrangements.”

She notes with pride that no preservatives are used on any of the fruit: bananas, apples and other varieties that turn when cut are dipped in chocolate to maintain freshness.

With a seven-day workweek and same-day order fulfillment, her Frederick Road shop runs on an ambitious schedule. Making it work has been very much a family venture, says Ms. Schneider, a former construction project manager. She had been taking time off to raise her son and daughter when she first saw an Edible Arrangements store in North Carolina.

“That’s been my biggest challenge – maintaining a family life while running the business,” she says. “My husband helps with the family when I can’t be around, and he helps here when we’re busy with the holiday crunch.”

That family perspective has even influenced the placement of her store. “I could have chosen a site on Rt. 40,” she says, “but I wanted to be in the heart of Catonsville. I want my store’s community to be like family.” She’s found a warm welcome and profound loyalty from Catonsville businesses and residents.

Her service range is not limited to Catonsville’s boundaries, however. As the Edible Arrangements corporation grows – now with 947 stores worldwide – so does Ms. Schneider’s ability to fulfill even long-distance orders. “If you place your order with me, I can forward it to any other franchise,” she says.

“Even if they’re not planning on making an order, anyone is welcome to come at any time, ,” she adds with a smile. “We’ve got samples in the refrigerator in the reception area - stop by and take a taste!”

 Past Featured Members