Celebrating 8 years - OrchidTalk Orchid Forum Anniversary!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ORCHIDTALK!!
Nine years ago today, the OrchidTalk Orchid Forum started with just two members (LJA and me.)




A little history ....
We had been working on a website, River Valley Orchidworks, for a few months and were beginning to actually see some orchid sales from our nursery that were not local. (An exciting time for sure) LJA, Louis, had the idea that we needed to add a forum to the site to help people with their orchids and show them that they are not so terribly difficult to grow as long as you have good information and someone to talk to when there was an issue. And so, we set up the OrchidTalk Orchid Forum.

At that time when a surfer on the internet visited our link: www.rv-orchidworks.com they went right to the sales catalog. There was a link where they could ask for help and post about their orchid. Our site was very basic, but it was new and so were we to the internet. This new forum begain 8 years ago today, March 31, 2003.

By August of 2005 it became apparent that no matter our extreme efforts, selling orchids online at our size was never going to be sustainable. The day that we decided to stop selling orchids was a difficult day for us. We had worked so hard, especially Louis. The monetary investment in the company was tremendous, but the amount of effort put into advertising and customer relations was ten fold the monetary costs. We felt like we had failed ourselves and our goals. We invested so much into this business that it was like loosing a family member when it ended. I will never forget the day that Louis put up the notice on the home page that the River Valley Orchidworks Catalog was closed.



But, as is said, when one door closes, another opens....
RVO’s OrchidTalk Orchid Forum has been a wonderful blessing to us and to the community that populates its pages. After closing the sales catalog, we decided that we would attempt to keep the forum open. We had met so many wonderful people and made such great friendships, closing the forum along with the catalog would be just devastating to us. So many people relied on the forum for help and community. At the time we had close to 750 members - a huge feat for such a new site. Louis decided that he really couldn't focus much more on the site since we had lost so much money with the orchid business, so I took the front seat position and learned as much as I could about managing a website. LJA still participated in the community, but took a less and less active role on the front end deciding to focus more on the technical details over the years.



In early 2007, we changed the entire design of the site, updating the software and began the process of search engine optimization. Long story short, the forum community took off...



And with a big jump, we now have over 6K members, a new design with custom graphics, a super fast high-speed dedicated server, a strongly moderated community free of dangerous links/ spam, and most importantly: many, many loyal members who frequent this site and participate every single day of the year.

So, happy anniversary OrchidTalk. You have come a long way and only have a bright future ahead! Here is to a great new year and to all the members of the community who make this site a home for orchid lovers from all across the planet.



Cheers,
BD

[jrfehon]

Congrats BD! I'm glad to be a part of such a great forum!

[Halloamey]

Congrats BD, that is really an achievement to be very very proud of ! Also thanks to all the members that make this community such a flourishing place. It was nice to read the entire history behind this forum !

[orchidsal]

Bruce and Louis; I am glad that you decided to keep this Forum going. The members here are neat people and such a diverse group from all around the globe makes it so interesting. Your time, experience, and efforts are appreciated. All the best! AL

[davaoguy]

Happy anniversary! Good to be here.

[Germinatorman]

I am so glad this exists. I have been through many a forum only to be disappointed when it went commercial, political or viral! You guys rock and are much appreciated. It is incredible to think that we can sit at our desks and talk to people all over the globe on a subject like signs of spring or Wardian cases or potting media, just about anything - and yet Bruce keeps it clean, and on track and a wonderul resource for the orchid community. When people ask me for orchid advice, I share what I can and then give them the link to the OrchidTalk Forum. I support the forum financially and I hope you do too! Thank you Bruce and (behind the scenes) Louis. We all love you guys.

[rosie]

Happy Anniversary from me to you both. Many more to come.

[gabi_borza]

Congrats Bruce, and hope for 90 more years!!!

[gardenguysorchids]

Congratulations and a BIG THANK YOU! May you be rewarded with beautiful orchids and a peaceful journey through life.

[ajamarie]

much love and joy to you both!! i am so glad you are here!!