In fact, Karin’s Florist has been exceptionally good at using phone calls and e-mail to keep the flowers coming at the right time. The company’s revenues grew 28 percent in four years, the highest rate among retailers in the Fantastic 50.

The main reason for the shop’s success is simple, says Bill Dukas, who founded the business in 1956 with his father-in-law and named it after his first daughter. It provides good quality and service, and that has built a loyal group of customers. The reminder program, a free service begun five years ago, is the latest link with customers. The store reminds customers by phone or e-mail a week before an event that it’s time to send flowers. What started as an experiment had a 95 percent response rate in the first year. "I started [the reminder service] just to see if customers were interested," says Dukas’ daughter, Maris Angolia. "And it worked."

The new reminder system certainly helps, but that’s not the only way Karin’s keeps customers coming back. For example, the clientele can come up with their own ideas for floral arrangements. Ten designers help produce quality results. They also sell fruit and gourmet baskets and offer rush delivery. If a customer receives dead flowers, Karin’s will replace them.

The business is focused on expanding its local customer base. Everything is run from one store, and the family wants to keep it that way. Karin’s is finding enough growth in the Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland area to maintain a steady profit margin. "We have children of customers that became customers themselves," Angolia says. The strong economy is helping as well. "People are having more and bigger parties," Angolia says. Karin’s can also take orders at its Web site, which was expanded last year. The store also is advertising more aggressively, with listings in the national as well as local yellow pages.

Another reason for the growth in revenue is the company’s move five years ago from its original location in the 7 Corners Center to a larger space in Vienna. The new location allowed the family to design the store’s layout, which included expanding the showroom.

The business will remain a family affair. Dukas serves as advisor to his son, George, and Angolia, who now run the firm. George Dukas oversees operations, business development and distribution. Angolia focuses on marketing, public relations and personnel. Bill Dukas, however, still keeps busy in hands-on operations. "Dad makes all of the bows," Angolia says. Dukas says that after working in the business for over 40 years, he’s the "Proud Papa, [who] sits back to watch the kids take over." It’s a happy scene. For Karin’s Florist, everything is coming up roses.