Pawprint Chats is a series where we chat with our friends, clients, and peers in our local Colorado community. It’s a chance to check in and see how everyone’s doing, in business and in life.
Today we’re talking to Alex Jackson, owner of Happy Canyon Flowers and Ramah Home.
YellowDog: Hello! Give us the “elevator pitch” version of what your business does.
Alex Jackson: At Happy Canyon Flowers, we are a premium florist and gift shop offering the best flowers and plants purchased from all across this big beautiful world along with fabulous hand-selected gifts and home accessories and decor. At Ramah Home, we offer many of the same gifts and accessories along with gorgeous artificial plants and flowers.
YD: What has been your biggest win in the past year?
AJ: Surviving at first …and then thriving! When the mandate went out that we were required to close our retail stores, fear and panic set in, and I worried about our survival. Fortuitously, Happy Canyon Flowers’ online presence absolutely flourished during this time and we quickly changed from surviving to thriving.
One portion of our business (online ordering and delivery) was able to carry us through the worst part of the year and enable us to continue to be an important part of our community.
YD: This year has been a learning experience for everyone. Anything you’ve learned about your business in 2020?
AJ: We all need a bit of beauty in our lives. I’ve been a florist for almost 30 years and I am a bit of a cynic sometimes. I forget about the impact that flowers have on all of us. The countless phone calls and messages that we have received detailing gratitude for the beautiful flowers and services that we offer have definitely taught me and reinforced the positive impact that little bits of beauty have in all of our lives.
YD: What has been one of your proudest moments as a local business owner?
AJ: Like many people and businesses this year, we closed our two retail locations for in-person shopping. I have never been prouder of my colleagues than the day in May when we re-opened our stores and every staffer was there and ready to service all of our guests.
Many of my colleagues had come into the stores several days before our re-opening to prepare the stores for a new and slightly different retail experience – being back and able to follow the protocols with a very happy staff will forever be a very proud moment for me.
YD: If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about your business, what would it be?
AJ: Put it on a warm and sunny beach??!! I love what I do and the people with whom I get to do it so I rarely feel like I am at work. This is what I do and I really enjoy doing it!
YD: Describe your brand in three words.
AJ: Dependable, beautiful, elegant
YD: Love it! Now for some friendly rapid-fire questions:
Are you a dog person or a cat person?
I love your dog and I love your cat, but, for their sake, please do not put me in charge of them!
Early bird or night owl?
Definitely early bird. I am usually up before 3am so an early bedtime is a must.
Favorite local beer?
10th Mountain Bourbon. It’s not beer but it will do just fine…
What’s your best party trick?
I’ll bring flowers and leave early!
What show are you currently binging?
Peaky Blinders. What a family!!
Any book you’re currently reading?
My friend Jennifer Thomasson just published her own floral design guide, Perishable Poetics. I love learning new techniques in my art form even after 30 years.
What do you miss the most about pre-pandemic life?
Travel!!! I need the beach!
YD: Thanks Alex. It has been a joy to watch your business grow and change this year, and to follow all your floral creations. It makes us want to stop and smell the (elegantly arranged) flowers.
Follow Happy Canyon Flowers on Instagram
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by YellowDog.