07/22/2026
Iβve had a lot of people ask how I came to start my business at such a young age, so Iβd like to introduce myself to my new followers and tell my story.
Hi! My name is Jewelya, Iβm 19 years old, and welcome to my Story.
I started this business my freshman year of high school in 2021 with little plans of starting a cut flower garden, but it grew into so much more. What started as a little high school project for FFA (Future Farmers of America) sowed a seed for a very adventurous journey and a bright future.
My freshman year, I took a class called Principles of Agriculture, a class most freshmen take to learn the basics and history of FFA. I knew from the very beginning that this was where my heart was going to be.
Later in the year, we had to come up with an SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience), a project where you gain real-world career experience, manage finances, and learn responsibility through the project you choose. I was so stuck on what I wanted to do. Most kids chose a bottle calf or something involving farm animals, but I knew that wasnβt what I wanted.
So I went back to the drawing board, and my mom (I couldnβt have done any of this without her) proposed the idea of a cut flower garden. I already had the green thumbβI just needed the rest. So we began.
I had all these ideas and was so excited to start this journey, but waitβ¦ stop. Youβve got to have a name for your βbusiness,β so it was back to the drawing board.
After all kinds of silly, cheesy names, I finally found the perfect one. I wanted something that truly meant something to me and that I could have a story to tell about why I named it that.
My grandfather, who we called Pappy, passed away unexpectedly a couple of months into my freshman year. He and my grandmother taught me so much about raising vegetables, flowers, and so much more. They were a huge inspiration behind starting my business, and they also instilled in me the values of hard work, dedication, and persistence.
Pappyβs favorite flower was variety of a dahlia that was pink it just made so much sense to name it that so the name The Pink Dahlia was born.
As my high school career continued one of my family members, was getting married and wanted me to do her wedding flowers. I was only 15 and didnβt even have my driverβs license yet. π€£ I remember thinking, βWhy in the world would she want me to do her wedding flowers?β But she trusted me, and I learned so much from that one wedding.
Months later, my name started getting out there, and people were messaging me for quotes. I was completely baffled because it was so unexpected. So I put my big girl pants on and taught myself the mechanics of floral design, how to manage my finances correctly, taxes, how to price my time, make a profit, and everything in between. With a little help from my mom, we started growing, and it has been such an unexpected blessing.
My mom and I have traveled all over the stateβand now even the countryβto do flowers. Our most recent trip was to Dallas/Allen, Texas, where we designed florals for a national pageant.
Over the past five years, weβve had countless weddings and special events, Iβve helped all kinds of other florist arrange weddings and every single year I gain new skills, more confidence, and valuable experience.
The hard work and dedication really does show over time. Iβve doubted myself countless times and have wanted to give up, but quitting was never an option. This journey has taught me so much about myself that I never would have discovered without this opportunity.
I truly couldnβt have done any of this without my community and my customers who continue to support me and keep me busy. I get overwhelmed sometimes, but then I stop and remind myself what a blessing it is for my business to be busy. π«Άπ»
Thank you to every single person who has supported me, encouraged me, trusted me with your special moments, and helped me push through the hardest barriers. It truly does take a village, and I will forever be grateful for each and every one of you. ππ€
Happy 5th birthday/anniversary to TPDππ
