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Business Un-Usual

by Tina M. Farmer

Throughout its colorful history, St. Louis has been known as a city of opportunity and ideas. Companies with St. Louis roots have achieved national and international success and occupy leading positions in their respective markets. Anheuser-Busch, the May Co. and Energizer are all significant players in their industries. But they are only part of the picture of success in the St. Louis business community.

Many other successful businesses share those same St. Louis roots. Regional restaurants have grown to Midwestern chains and local car dealerships regularly exceed national sales averages. Oneof- a-kind attractions like the City Museum and the Magic House frequently draw capacity crowds. And here, as in cities across the country, there are as many ways to make a living as there are creative people trying new ideas. For some, business as usual means something slightly unusual.

Cindy Caldwell, owner of Holistic Fitness, says she is one of only three or four people in the area who offer her unique service – colon hydrotherapy. “It is still quite unusual in St. Louis,” says Caldwell, “though it’s becoming more common in spas, and is a growing trend in Hollywood.” After an initial consultation that includes a health history screening, clients can expect a procedure that lasts 35 to 40 minutes. A series of colonics is recommended in order to gain the full benefit of the process, typically one a week over a six- to 10-week period. “The cleansing procedure, along with proper diet and water intake can be helpful for a number of ailments, including digestive problems, Direticulitis, Crohn’s Disease, gastric reflux, constipation and colitis,” says Coldwell. And while it is still relatively uncommon in St. Louis, more and more celebrities on both coasts are among those having the procedure.

Another kind of celebrity – the “star” of another unusual business – is a certified termite detection dog named Bandit. In fact, Bandit has been so successful that K-9 Termite Detection founder and owner George Wood is considering expanding his operations and adding another dog. “The next dog is going to be mold certified,” notes Wood, “and then, we’ll get another termite dog, like Bandit.” Dogs have long been known for their incredible sense of smell, with some breeds developed specifically for their natural abilities.

Bandit, a Border Collie and Labrador mix, is a breed that Wood and his team prefer. “Master trainer Bill Whitstine of North Pinellas, Fla., picks out the dogs,” explains Wood. “He rescues them from local shelters, which is great for the dogs and the community.” The trainer looks for alert, active dogs; ones that have lots of energy. He then spends six months working with the dog, focusing each dog on a specified field of detection. “Whitstine has trained dogs for arson and bomb detection as well as termites and mold,” Wood explains. “You can’t turn on the nightly news without seeing a detection dog.” Add to that the numerous features on the HGTV and Discovery Channels, and the growing use of dogs for assistance to those with long-term illness or disability, and you begin to understand Wood’s enthusiasm.

Wood, who has a background in engineering, works locally with handler Ryan MarCrander. Together, Wood and MarCrander work with Bandit to keep the dog’s training continuous, ensuring peak performance. “Bandit eats when he finds termites, so we’re constantly training him. Three to four times a day,” notes Wood. Bandit is also re-certified every three months. The success and growing reputation of K-9 Termite Detection has Wood seriously considering adding more dogs to the team. In addition to termite detection, mold detection is an area where a dog’s natural abilities, plus the right training, can be far superior to other methods currently in use.

Wood has done his homework; he knows all the facts and figures and shows a genuine passion for his new career. “I was still pretty young when I sold my first business, a printing company,” he says, “so I didn’t just want to sit in a chair and relax. I was still working as a consultant to the company that bought my business, but I was bored.” After loosing a wall to termites and hearing a friend tell how he saved thousands on the purchase of his home after a dog detected termites,Wood was curious. After stumbling across several television programs about detection dogs, he wanted to know more.

Wood got on the phone, called the trainer featured on the show and was hooked. He credits the right combination of personal experience, education and practical need in leading him to his new career. He also had proven research and personal observation to convince him of the value of this service. Finally, when Wood learned that the closest termite detection dog was in Atlanta and the closest mold detection dog in Chicago, he knew he had identified a need he could fill. With the assistance of Whitstine, MarCrander and, perhaps most importantly, Bandit, Wood has sniffed out the sweet smell of success.

Smelling of success in his own bed of roses is Johnny Rose Florist and Singing Telegrams. Johnny Rose is the owner and founder of perhaps St. Louis’ most unique special delivery service, featuring floral or candy deliveries accompanied by song. A favorite on the local nightclub scene for nearly a quarter of a century, Johnny has specialized in singing telegrams for the past 10 to 12 years. “I was actually very shy,” Johnny explains. “In high school, nobody even knew who I was, and my parents were very conservative and religious. I felt I just had to get out and find my own way.”

Finding his own way included joining the Unification Church and working for the Reverend Moon for 11 years. As part of their fund-raising efforts, members would sell roses at night in the clubs and bars around St. Louis. “That was how I rebelled,” Rose says with a slight laugh, “I found a church I liked and started selling flowers. After about six months in St. Louis, I was known as Johnny Rose wherever I went.” Overcoming his shyness through singing and performing, Rose soon became known as much for his renditions of “New York, New York” as his flowers.

“When I left the Unification Church, I opened a flower shop with my former wife,” says Rose. “Then, the singing and flowers became intertwined. To succeed in the floral delivery business, I couldn’t be shy. And I could get over my shyness by singing. It was my therapy.” Rose developed his style as he went along, fine tuning each new song until he had it perfected. Additional training through the Broadcast Center added polish and finesse to his voice.

Although he is no longer a member of the Unification Church, Rose appreciates the experience and feels he has gained a better understanding of himself and more tolerance for others. And it was the church that brought Rose to St. Louis. “I like what I do,” says Rose, “it’s nice to sell flowers. You always end up with money in your pocket and you leave people smiling.” Rose often gives away free flowers – and just as often, the recipient will see him out another night and relate how the flower made them feel so good they passed it along to someone else who seemed in need of a smile.

“I give hope,” Rose adds in a moment of reflection. “In a world that can be overwhelming and callous, I give hope for good and caring. For love.” In the future, Rose would like to expand into broadcasting or voice-over work, but he has no intention of giving up the singing telegrams. “I’ve found my community,” asserts Rose, “and I want to be a vibrant and successful part of that community.” He hopes his success will inspire others, encouraging them to find their niche in St. Louis. “I think St. Louis is better because of Johnny Rose Florist and Singing Telegrams,” he concludes. “And I know Johnny Rose is better because of St. Louis.”

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