Q&A with Art Conforti
Art has always believed in transparency and straight answers. Here, he shares candid insights about his work with florists, technology, and the future of the floral industry.
Did Art really visit every florist that got a website?
Yes. Because the technology was so new, Art personally visited over 100 florists nationwide. He wanted to see firsthand the shop dynamics that you could never learn over the phone. Most importantly, he met with the owners themselves - the people whose buy-in mattered most for long-term success.
What exactly was Art looking for when he visited a flower shop?
More than just the flowers. Art examined recordkeeping, accounting, delivery systems, and even the details of finished bouquets leaving the shop. His goal was to make sure the technology solved real-world florist challenges, not just look good on a screen.
Does Art work for Teleflora?
No. Art is the independent owner of Bloomerang Solutions. He chooses to work closely with Teleflora because, in his opinion, they currently offer the strongest platform for florists. Their model mirrors much of what he originally built with Gravity Free, and they remain dedicated to supporting local shops.
What does Art think about today’s wire services?
FTD (with ProFlowers): Focused on shareholders first, which often puts florists second.
BloomNet / 1-800-Flowers: Excellent marketers with the lion’s share of consumer orders, but much of their work benefits their own brand first.
FSN (Flower Shop Network): Basic websites, but order fees add up - often more than florists realize.
Teleflora: The only wire service that ensures every order goes through a local florist. They also offer full business solutions, from websites to credit card processing to after-hours call service.
Where does Art see the future of the floral industry?
Florists need fewer product codes and more mass production. Streamlined offerings, supported by AI-driven ordering systems, will allow shops to serve more customers with fewer staffing challenges.
What is Art working on now?
After selling Beneva Flowers and rebranding Beneva Solutions into Bloomerang Solutions, Art is focused on AI innovations. His projects include AI agents that can help florists take orders during peak holidays (when staffing is short) and eventually handle regular order-taking — saving shops thousands in payroll while improving customer service.