James McCann
Encyclopedia
James F. "Jim" McCann is an American entrepreneur
who founded 1-800-Flowers
, a corporation based in the United States which was one of the first companies to pioneer and popularize the use of both toll-free telephone numbers and Web sites to sell goods and services directly to consumers.
McCann was originally a social worker and administrator for St. John's Home for Boys in Rockaway, NY. In the early 1970s, McCann worked weekends at a Manhattan flower shop. In 1976, he opened his own flower shop in Queens, NY. By 1986 McCann owned and operated 14 "FloraPlenty" flower shops in the New York Metropolitan Area
.
According to his autobiography, "Stop and Sell the Roses", he came up with the idea of building a nationwide flower service while "listening to the radio as he was shaving". In 1986, he bought a nearly bankrupt company in Texas
which owned the phone number 1-800-Flowers. McCann changed the name of his chain accordingly.
In 1992 and 1994, McCann established deals with online pioneers CompuServe
and AOL
, becoming among the first retailers to establish an online presence. Again, the success of AOL and 1-800-Flowers' exclusive agreement with the online provider was very beneficial to the company.
In 1995 McCann established the Web site www.1800flowers.com, becoming one of the first retailers to establish a Web presence. The company went public when it filed its IPO in 1999 under stock ticker FLWS.
As of 2008, McCann continues to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of 1-800-Flowers
. He is often sought after to speak on topics of entrepreneurship, marketing and the Internet. He also serves on various corporate boards.
His younger brother, Chris, is now the President and was featured on the CBS
TV program "Undercover Boss
".
McCann currently lives in Manhasset, New York with his wife and three children.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
who founded 1-800-Flowers
1-800-Flowers
1-800-Flowers is a floral and gift retailer and distribution company in the United States. It was one of the first retailers to use a 24 x 7 toll-free telephone number and the Internet for direct sales to consumers....
, a corporation based in the United States which was one of the first companies to pioneer and popularize the use of both toll-free telephone numbers and Web sites to sell goods and services directly to consumers.
McCann was originally a social worker and administrator for St. John's Home for Boys in Rockaway, NY. In the early 1970s, McCann worked weekends at a Manhattan flower shop. In 1976, he opened his own flower shop in Queens, NY. By 1986 McCann owned and operated 14 "FloraPlenty" flower shops in the New York Metropolitan Area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
.
According to his autobiography, "Stop and Sell the Roses", he came up with the idea of building a nationwide flower service while "listening to the radio as he was shaving". In 1986, he bought a nearly bankrupt company in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
which owned the phone number 1-800-Flowers. McCann changed the name of his chain accordingly.
In 1992 and 1994, McCann established deals with online pioneers CompuServe
CompuServe
CompuServe was the first major commercial online service in the United States. It dominated the field during the 1980s and remained a major player through the mid-1990s, when it was sidelined by the rise of services such as AOL with monthly subscriptions rather than hourly rates...
and AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
, becoming among the first retailers to establish an online presence. Again, the success of AOL and 1-800-Flowers' exclusive agreement with the online provider was very beneficial to the company.
In 1995 McCann established the Web site www.1800flowers.com, becoming one of the first retailers to establish a Web presence. The company went public when it filed its IPO in 1999 under stock ticker FLWS.
As of 2008, McCann continues to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of 1-800-Flowers
1-800-Flowers
1-800-Flowers is a floral and gift retailer and distribution company in the United States. It was one of the first retailers to use a 24 x 7 toll-free telephone number and the Internet for direct sales to consumers....
. He is often sought after to speak on topics of entrepreneurship, marketing and the Internet. He also serves on various corporate boards.
His younger brother, Chris, is now the President and was featured on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
TV program "Undercover Boss
Undercover Boss
Undercover Boss is a television franchise series that has been released in multiple countries, originating in 2009 on the British Channel 4...
".
McCann currently lives in Manhasset, New York with his wife and three children.