Specialty boutique named small business of the year

Twenty-three years ago, Allyn Matthews saw a void in the retail market of Clarenville, so she took it upon herself to fill it. "I found that it was at the time, way back, it was difficult to buy $10 to $15 gifts, for promotional gifts for staff, or sales incentives. That was the niche I was trying to fill." She opened Something Special as a kiosk in Random Square Mall, selling "everything from porcelain dolls to hockey cards." Soon, she expanded her product line to include fresh flowers. "With one cooler, we started selling flowers. We managed it from a kiosk. I still don't know how I did that." These days, Matthew works up to 70 hours a week, with three fulltime and three part-time employees. Business isn't slow. "I like the customers - I love people, I enjoy the staff, I love the job. I feel like I'm fortunate if I'm down to 40 hours a week, but there's a good many 70-hour weeks. I do try to take a couple of weeks every now and again." Something Special is known for her flowers. Each summer, she has to bring in extra staff to handle the wedding arrangements - as many as eight weddings in one weekend. But all year long party supplies, gifts and bouquets keep her busy To be named Small Business of the Year came as a surprise. "It's nice to get an award," says Matthews, "but you don't do this stuff to get awards." She credits her staff for much of the success of her business. "We've always had a really excellent staff. When it comes to customer service, whether it's a $4 sale or a $1,000 sale, everyone gets treated the same," she says, emphasizing customer service as key to a strong business. "If someone bought a flower for their mom when they were 10, hopefully they'll come back for their wedding flowers." Matthews likes to treat every wedding bouquet as if it was for her sister. It's that attention to detail that sets her boutique apart. "We try to make everything the best. We're not always perfect, but we're really really picky."