800 phone numbers business success stories
Creating your brand with vanity 800 phone numbers is a smart investment. Not only are vanity
numbers verified to be remarkable, they also provide the impression of reliable and thriving
businesses. Here are two inspiring vanity toll free stories.
1-800-CONTACTS
One more 800 phone numbers success story, 1-800-CONTACTS began from a young contact
lens user's wish - to be able to get his contact lenses without the need for a return trip to the
optometrist. Car-less and financially challenged, then-Brigham Young University student
Jonathan Coon was put out when he was asked to go back soon after one week to receive his
contact lens. The incident started a company plan that filled Coon's every spare time. He started
to be convinced that he could provide his fellow students with more cost-effective contact lenses
at a quicker time. Coons started out a home-based business on winter of 1992, printed out
leaflets and distributed them in his campus, even while enrolled as a full-time student. His huge
break came in which he was able to run his plan with a faculty member who mentored him
throughout a free of charge lunch at BYU.
Realizing the value of 800 phone numbers and inspired by the success of 1-800-FLOWERS,
Coons wanted to have his hands on 1-800-CONTACTS. He hired a detective agency to locate
the owner and paid a massive $163,500 for it. It had been a valuable expenditure; Orders a lot
more than doubled in 1 month. Today, the business has the world's greatest inventory of lenses,
and is able to offer 90 percent of its orders within 48 hrs. It had a yearly revenue of
$237,950,000 in 2005.
1-800-FLOWERS+
With headquarters at Westbury, New York, 1-800-FLOWERS, Inc. has become associated with
what its toll free number proclaims-flowers. The company wasn't an immediate success story
though. 1-800-FLOWERS launched as a modest striving company in 1976. Its founder was
social worker James McCann who purchased Flora Plenty with a 10,000 dollar credit from
friends and relatives. The modest shop grew into 14 store chains with an annual earnings of
$50,000 annually. By mortgaging McCann's own home many times and using his assets from
real estate and stocks, he acquired what was soon to be one of the most popular 800 phone
numbers 1-800-FLOWERS in 1987.
However, the company had been in financial doldrums. This was until McCann promoted flower
delivery by way of phone orders. He capitalized on the then-new 800 phone numbers
technology, showing an astute eye for customers' need for hassle-free service at an affordable
price. He also offered a seven-day freshness guarantee, a 100 % smile satisfaction guarantee,
and rewarded loyal customers with a Frequent Flowers Club.
Today, 1-800-FLOWERS has merged with or acquired other retail businesses, expanding its
products to confectionaries, gift baskets, collectibles and gourmet food. It has an annual income
of $714 million and total assets of $286 million (FY '2009'). It nonetheless remains true to its
roots although - delivering fresh flowers at your home.
Selecting 800 phone numbers carefully is only 1 part of the numbers game, though. Back this
up with innovation, smart advertising and excellent customer service and you'll be on the right
track.