22 Jul 2024 Fourth generation of Hurst Family joins Tipton & Hurst

LITTLE ROCK — Tipton & Hurst announced Josie Hurst will join the team as brand strategy manager, making her the fourth generation of the Hurst family to join the 138-year-old family-owned and operated florist. The company also announced the addition of two new seasoned floral designers, Jeffrey Foster and Emily Madden.

“We are proud to welcome our daughter, Josie, as the fourth generation of the Hurst family to play a key role in this business,” said Howard Hurst, president of Tipton & Hurst. “I’m excited to see how Josie’s expertise in data and analytics, combined with her profound understanding of our business, will enhance and grow the Tipton & Hurst brand for future generations. Additionally, we eagerly anticipate the fresh ideas and innovative approaches Jeffrey and Emily will bring to our team. These additions will help us further our mission of delivering exceptional quality and memorable customer experiences, continuing the legacy of creativity and satisfaction for which Tipton & Hurst is known.”

Before joining the family business, Josie Hurst excelled as a senior customer insights analyst at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. At A&F Co., she helped modernize a legacy Voice of the Customer program and leveraged data to drive strategic, customer-centric decisions for the global retailer. Additionally, Josie worked in employee analytics for GEICO. She graduated with honors from Washington & Lee University with a B.A. in Psychology and a focus on quantitative methods. At W&L, Josie got her start in analytics as a research associate investigating methods of measuring creativity. 

Jeffrey Foster is a certified floral designer and an Arkansas Master Florist. A native of Paragould, Jeffrey started in the floral industry at Teleflora, the world’s largest floral delivery service headquartered in his hometown. He brings fresh floral sales and design experience gained through local boutiques and the wholesale trade. He has also traveled the country to install large-scale weddings and events, including the National Football League’s Championship Ring Ceremony. 

Emily Madden holds a Bachelor of Science in architectural studies from the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture. A Little Rock native, she has 15 years of experience in event planning, from weddings to holiday parties. She has worked as a floral assistant for Tipton & Hurst in the past and will return as weekend and evening support for the senior design team.

For more information about Tipton & Hurst’s expert floral team, visit Tipton & Hurst.