2-19-08 It's Their Job

Name: Aileen McAlister

Job: Florist and owner Butterfly Floral

Time on job: 26 years

Background: Past farmer also a former president of the New Mexico Florist Association. She has done numerous design shows for other florists from 1985 to 2005.

Q. Describe what your job entails?

A. She takes care of a range of business needs including bookkeeping, marketing, ordering, managing employees, designing, delivery, processing flowers and serving her customers.

Q. What is a typical day on the job like for you?

A. It begins with opening the store, answering phones, arranging flowers, working with the wholesalers to make sure flowers are available and close. During holidays the hours are longer in a business day.

Q. Why did you choose this job?

A. Simply because I love working with God’s beautiful creation, I enjoy being part of people’s happy moments and helping people share their emotions.

Q. What type of training, if any, do you need for your job?

A. Customer service is a must, also care and handling of flowers and designing the flowers, it also helps to have a background in bookkeeping.

Q. What do you enjoy most about your job?

A. My customers and my employees and the flowers, I love all flowers.