By Tavon N. ThomassonAFRO Intern
From Baltimore’s Fleurs d’Ave to Los Angeles’ Postal Petals, two Black-owned floral corporations are proving flowers can do greater than enhance–additionally they can encourage creativity, self-care and strengthen neighborhood bonds in surprising methods.
At Fleurs d’Ave, co-owner Ashley Rock Wylie’s path to the floral trade was surprising. Partnering in enterprise together with her husband, Brandon Wylie, would lead her someplace she by no means thought she’d go.
“I used to be laid off from CareFirst once they acquired a brand new CEO,” Ashley mentioned. “I assumed I used to be going to run our psychological well being enterprise full-time, however Brandon and his dad determined to purchase Fleurs d’Ave, after which my life took a giant change.”
Previously referred to as Bonaparte’s Florist, the store had lengthy been a treasured Black-owned enterprise in West Baltimore with ties to Brandon Wylie’s funeral companies. When it went to public sale, he and his father bought it to maintain it locally.
“He determined that he wished to buy it so it might keep a Black-owned enterprise locally, and never flip right into a liquor retailer or nook retailer proper there in West Baltimore,” Ashley Wylie mentioned.
What started as an effort to protect a neighborhood staple has turn into a supply of pleasure for the small enterprise proprietor, particularly after reopening in 2020.
“It’s been extraordinarily rewarding and very enjoyable,” mentioned Ashley Wylie. “I’ve actually discovered to understand the creativity behind floral design. I’m nonetheless not a florist—I nonetheless don’t have that talent—however I’ve positively taken a liking to planning occasions.”
Ashley Wylie could not maintain the title of florist, however she’s mastered the artwork of making experiences. Her standout occasion, the Flower Energy Completely happy Hour, is a vigorous swirl of petals, music and dialog that turns arranging flowers into a celebration.
“We take it to the subsequent degree with a DJ, open bar, meals, [host], enjoyable video games, and karaoke—it’s a blast,” mentioned Ashley Wylie. “We primarily do them at Lexington Market, and we’ve achieved a couple of in different places.”
For the enterprise proprietor, working Fleurs d’Ave is as a lot about folks as it’s about flowers.
“I imagine folks store with folks they like. If folks really feel they’ll relate to you otherwise you’re going to positively handle them, that’s what I wish to symbolize,” Wylie mentioned. “We’re actual folks. You may attain out and provides us suggestions, and we symbolize excellence always. If we do drop the ball, we’ll do the most effective to verify we get better.”
Throughout the nation, Los Angeles entrepreneur Talia Boone has been constructing Postal Petals, an “immersive floral and wellness firm” now celebrating its fifth anniversary.
Based in 2020, Postal Petals ships fresh-cut flowers to prospects for do-it-yourself arranging, encouraging prospects to deal with the method as a aware, inventive act of self-care.
“What I’m most happy with is that we made it to 5 years,” mentioned Boone. “The second is the way in which during which now we have proven up within the numerous communities the place we reside and work. Every part from making a Black florist database on our web site and discovering alternatives to deliver Black florists collectively.”
Boone’s mission to uplift others extends to her neighborhood wellness occasions.
“Normally our neighborhood wellness occasions begin with some type of motion, usually it’s yoga, stretching, mountaineering, strolling,” mentioned Boone. “Then we comply with that with guided meditation, a sound tub meditation, or breathwork meditation. We take that power into a very peaceable floral design workshop the place we encourage them to only be inventive.”
One company occasion, nevertheless, left an particularly deep impression. A lady, after creating her bouquet, was given the selection to maintain it or give it away, and to Boone’s shock, she selected the latter.
“She acquired so emotional that she actually began crying, and he or she simply mentioned, ‘I’ve by no means gotten flowers earlier than, and if you guys advised me that I might make my very own association, it was so shifting for me that I wished to supply that chance to another person,’” mentioned Boone.
Each companies are poised for progress. Boone just lately launched a fundraising marketing campaign to broaden Postal Petals’ free neighborhood occasions, aiming to succeed in and serve extra folks. In the meantime, Wylie is targeted on broadening her supply community and establishing new partnerships.
Ashley Rock Wylie and Talia Boone are shaping new futures by way of their flower companies. By mixing creativity with neighborhood care, they present how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can uplift lives and plant seeds for lasting impression.
