Company: Marshall's Flowers & Gift Studio
Headquarters: Concord, New Hampshire
Industry: Flower Shop
Company Size: Small (annual revenues of less than $50 million)

"Artistic expression and aesthetic beauty are an integral part of my business. My love of the arts and support of local arts organizations has helped me establish a devoted customer base."
                – Lorrie Carey, Owner

Objectives
To demonstrate its commitment to the community, to broaden its customer base, to increase revenue, and to increase participation in the arts by making them more accessible.

Process

• To address a lack of music education in New Hampshire middle schools and the lack of public awareness of the Granite State Symphony Orchestra, Marshall’s developed an initiative involving the symphony that brought classical music to middle schools across the state.
• Marshall’s employees organized the event by gathering funds from other small businesses, coordinating performance schedules with the symphony, developing traffic/parking plans with the local police, and by providing lunch for volunteers at the Capitol Center for the Performing Arts, Concord, New Hampshire — the venue for the concert.
• To further arts education, Marshall’s staff worked with the symphony’s staff to produce a music education booklet that featured orchestra history, music terminology and games. The booklets were given to the students who attended performances to promote discussion about music.

Results
Marshall’s support of the arts — particularly the symphony — has generated considerable publicity, which has increased awareness of its services, attracted new customers and increased sales. Additionally, it has increased arts education offerings and has led to the symphony operating a statewide music program for middle school students.

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