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At 1-800-Flowers.com headquarters, there’s a little corner that tells many stories. We call it “Jim’s Wall of Shame.” It’s a wall dedicated to celebrating every stumble, flop, and facepalm moment our team has had over the years. For every success we’ve achieved, there’s a tale of something that went spectacularly wrong. And trust me, I’ve contributed my fair share.
Let me take you back to the early days of the company. I was visiting the historic Quincy Market in Boston when I met a vendor named Lucy. Lucy was all about themes. She had a shop called Lucy’s Heart, where everything had a heart on it. Another shop, Lucy’s Rainbow, was a kaleidoscope of colors. The idea hit me: We could sell anything as long as it has a flower on it!
Inspired, I came back to the office buzzing with excitement. I rallied the team around an obviously brilliant new idea: a catalog of unique gifts all tied to flowers. Among these items was something I thought was truly special: a line of beautiful silk jackets, each embroidered with a rose on the back. I just knew they’d be a hit.
Well, the catalog bombed. We didn’t sell one jacket.
After licking our wounds, we made those jackets a symbol of what we’d learned. We tacked one up on the wall in the office, and “Jim’s Wall of Shame” was born. Over the years, it’s grown to include all kinds of failed ideas — not just mine, but everyone’s. Sure, it’s a funny sight, but it’s also a reminder of something important.
Earning your spot
I always tell new team members, “Earn your spot on the wall.” Why? Because failure is a teacher. Failing — and failing big — is how we grow. It strengthens our resilience, sharpens our instincts, and teaches us how to make smarter decisions. Every stumble is a step closer to something better.
Of course, the trick is not to dwell on it. When things go sideways, don’t spend too much time looking back. Laugh at it, learn from it, and then move on. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: Failure isn’t the end of the story, it’s just the beginning of a better one.
In our book, Lodestar: Tapping Into the 10 Timeless Pillars of Success, Dr. George Everly and I devoted a chapter to overcoming adversity. We write that when faced with hardship, two traits often predict the ability to rebound: a positive vision for the future and tenacity. Vision is the belief that better days are ahead. Tenacity is the commitment to do whatever it takes to realize that vision.
Resiliency through history
Dr. Everly, a psychologist and associate professor at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, has studied resilience extensively, often citing historical examples to illuminate how humanity has bounced back from adversity. Consider the American Civil War, arguably one of the darkest times in U.S. history. Despite immense loss and division, the nation emerged with renewed vigor, laying the foundation for modern civil rights movements and industrial advancements.
Another example comes from the Great Depression. Millions faced unprecedented economic hardship, yet communities banded together, fostering innovation and solidarity. Programs, like President Roosevelt’s New Deal, provided immediate relief and reshaped the country’s infrastructure and economy, demonstrating that collective resilience can drive enduring progress.
From these historical lessons, Dr. Everly distills key principles that can guide us in overcoming personal and professional challenges:
- Maintain a vision of hope: A clear vision of better days ahead can motivate you to keep moving forward. During World War II, Winston Churchill’s speeches weren’t just words; they were beacons of hope that galvanized a nation to endure and eventually triumph.
- Cultivate tenacity: Resilience isn’t about avoiding failure but persisting through it. Thomas Edison famously remarked that his thousands of unsuccessful attempts to create the light bulb weren’t failures but steps toward success.
- Build a support network: Even the most resilient individuals fail in isolation. The civil rights movement wasn’t successful just due to leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., but also the countless individuals who marched, protested, and organized behind the scenes.
The path forward
Adversity is a universal experience, but our response to it defines our trajectory. Whether you’re navigating personal hardships, professional setbacks, or broader societal challenges, the principles of resilience can guide you to not only recover but thrive.
History is rich with examples of individuals and communities who’ve transformed struggles into stepping stones. As you face your own challenges in the upcoming year, remember it’s not the adversity itself that shapes us but how we choose to respond.
All the best,
Jim
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AUTHOR
Jim McCann is the founder, CEO, and chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. as well as a business leader, author, and philanthropist with a passion for helping people deliver smiles. Devoted to helping others, he also founded Smile Farms, a 501(c)3 organization that provides meaningful jobs in agricultural settings to young adults and adults with developmental disabilities.
