Latest news with #BestBuddiesInternational
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk celebrates disability inclusion
GATES, N.Y. (WROC) — The annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk was held on Saturday to raise awareness for the organization's efforts to connect individuals with and without disabilities. Best Buddies International facilitates opportunities for leadership development, inclusive living, and integrative employment. The organization also provides support to families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through programming that focuses on creating diverse one-to-one friendships, advocacy, and training, they have served over 1.3 million people worldwide, including Rochester. Sneak Peek: RBTL continues accessibility upgrades to auditorium 'The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is a way for our community to come together and support our neighbors with and without disabilities,' said Lindsay Jewett, the Director of Mission Advancement for Best Buddies International in Western New York. 'This event shows our mission in action, and it is always one of the best days of the year!' The event featured music, local sports mascots, obstacle courses, and prizes for children and adults. Over 400 walkers registered to participate in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Total Sports Experience, hoping to raise $62,500 for local programs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
21-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Bouquet Box Flower Bar Is Turning DIY Floral Arranging Into A Blooming Franchise Business
It's not a party without flowers Social media has transformed every celebration—whether it's a child's birthday or a large corporate event—into a full-blown production. Gone are the days of simple snacks and a few decorations. Today, personalized experiences and Instagram-worthy activities are the norm. That's exactly why Bouquet Box Flower Bar could be the next big franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to break into the event planning or floral industries. Bouquet Box Flower Bar is an exciting new offshoot of Bouquet Box, a floral subscription service launched in 2021 by Courtney Sixx in collaboration with famed floral purveyor Mark's Garden. Each Bouquet Box delivery includes a curated selection of fresh blooms, along with a vase, grid, and easy-to-follow instructions for creating a professional-quality arrangement at home. Bouquet Box Flower Bar Cofounders Courtney Sixx and Amy Nebens What started as a successful DIY floral subscription service has now blossomed into a high-demand, hands-on event activation known as the Bouquet Box Flower Bar—a unique offering that turns any gathering into a memorable floral experience. Sixx and Crawford In 2023, Bouquet Box collaborated with supermodel Cindy Crawford on a Mother's Day-themed box. This connection led to an introduction to Best Buddies International, where the Flower Bar concept was first born. "Cindy sits on the board of Best Buddies International and put us in touch with them when they were looking for flower ideas for their Mother's Day gala," says Sixx. Since Bouquet Box is a DIY experience rather than a traditional florist, Sixx came up with the idea to set up a flower bar at the event. "We wanted guests to enjoy a floral buffet, where they could create their own arrangements. When they were done, they took their vases to their tables as centerpieces and brought them home as favors. It was amazing—for us, the guests, and the hosts." It turned out to be hit because flower arranging is something anyone can do. Anthony K. Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International, shared, "Our Best Buddies participants and guests had an amazing time creating beautiful floral arrangements at the Bouquet Box Flower Bar during our Mother's Day events. Everyone walked away with flowers, fun, and new friendships." Following that success, Bouquet Box began receiving requests to bring its flower bars to other events such as bridal showers, baby showers, Sweet 16s, bat mitzvahs, and even corporate gatherings. Most notably, the brand became an official partner of Miss America in 2024. Sixx holding a Bouquet Box arrangement at Miss America With growing demand, Sixx realized the model wasn't sustainable with just her and partner Amy Nebens, a former editor at Martha Stewart Weddings. "We needed local boots on the ground—people immersed in their communities where outreach and integration could be seamless," says Sixx. Designed to be both affordable and flexible, the flower bar franchise was built with working mothers and creative entrepreneurs in mind. "The startup cost is low compared to most other franchises," says Sixx. "There's no need for a brick-and-mortar space or ongoing inventory since flowers and vases are ordered per event. It's a true home-based franchise." Thanks to its flexible model, franchisees can set their own schedules and scale the business based on their availability. "It's ideal for women who want a creative outlet with the freedom to work around family life or another job," Sixx adds. Bouquet Box provides franchisees with everything they need to succeed: a trusted system, logistical support, fulfillment, product access, branding assets, and ongoing coaching. 'No floral expertise is required—just a love of flowers and an entrepreneurial spirit.' Nicky Hilton Rothschild at Bouquet Box Flower Bar So far, Bouquet Box Flower Bar franchisees have made a splash at high-profile events for brands like Bloomingdale's, MaxMara, the Jackson Hole Film Festival, the LPGA, the Caldera House, and The Carriage House in Palm Beach. With the growing popularity of DIY floral bars and personalized event experiences, Bouquet Box Flower Bar is poised to be one of the most exciting and accessible low-cost franchise opportunities for 2025 and beyond.
