800 phone numbers stories on business - report from RingCentral

1. 800 phone numbers stories on business' success
It's a intelligent expenditure to create your brand with vanity 800 phone numbers. Not merely
are vanity numbers confirmed to be memorable, they also give the impression of reliable and
thriving businesses. Listed below are two uplifting vanity toll free stories.
1-800-FLOWERS+
With headquarters at Westbury, New York, 1-800-FLOWERS, Inc. has turn out to be
synonymous with what its toll free number proclaims-flowers. The company wasn't an instant
success story though. 1-800-FLOWERS started out as a small striving business in 1976. Its
originator was social worker James McCann who bought Flora Plenty with a 10,000 dollar credit
from friends and relatives. The small shop grew into 14 store chains with an annual income of
$50,000 annually. McCann acquired what was soon to be one of the most well-known 800
phone numbers 1-800-FLOWERS in 1987 by mortgaging his residence several times and
making use of his assets from real estate and stocks.
Nonetheless, the company was still in financial doldrums. This was until McCann promoted
flower delivery via phone orders. Showing an astute eye for customers' demand for hassle-free
service at an reasonable value, he capitalized on the then-new 800 phone numbers technology.
He also supplied a seven-day freshness guarantee, a 100 % smile satisfaction guarantee, and
rewarded loyal customers having a Frequent Flowers Club.
Nowadays, 1-800-FLOWERS has merged with or acquired other retail companies, expanding its
products to confectionaries, gift baskets, collectibles and gourmet food. It has an annual income
of $714 million and total assets of $286 million (FY 2009). It nonetheless stays true to its roots
although - delivering fresh flowers at your home.
1-800-CONTACTS
Another 800 phone numbers success story, 1-800-CONTACTS started from a young contact
lens user's wish - to be able to get his contact lenses without having the hassle of a come back
trip to the optometrist. Financially challenged and car-less, then-Brigham Young University
student Jonathan Coon was put out when he was asked to return subsequently after one week
to receive his contacts. The incident started a company plan that filled Coon's every free time.
He became believing that he could offer his fellow students with a lot more affordable contact
lenses at a faster time. Coons started out a home-based company on winter of 1992, printed out
flyers and distributed all of them in his campus, even while enrolled as a full-time student. His
big break came during a free lunch at BYU in which he was able to run his plan along with a
faculty member who mentored him.
Understanding the value of 800 phone numbers and motivated by the success of 1-800-
FLOWERS, Coons wanted to get his hands on 1-800-CONTACTS. He recruited a private
investigator to locate the owner and paid a massive $163,500 for it. It had been a worthwhile
expenditure; Orders more than doubled in 30 days. These days, the company is able to deliver
90 % of its orders in just 48 hours and has the world's biggest inventory of lenses. It had an
annual revenue of $237,950,000 in 2005.
One part of the numbers game is choosing 800 phone numbers smartly. Back this up with
innovation, smart advertising and superior customer service and you'll be on the right track.