As a single mother of three kids, Melissa “Mel” Floyd never imagined she’d one day be running her own flower shop, but when the opportunity arose 5 ½ years ago, her faith compelled her to answer.
“I never really wanted to be a business owner; I did not want all that responsibility on my head,” said Floyd. “It was way out of my comfort zone because I’m a single mother with three kids depending on me.”
Now, Floyd is the owner of Mel’s Blossoms, a locally owned and family-oriented floral shop on Willowcreek Road in Portage.
Prior to her start at Mel’s Blossoms, Floyd was working at a different flower shop when her boss was unfortunately diagnosed with terminal cancer. Floyd was unable to buy the business from her boss, but the experience prompted her to start a floral business of her own. After turning to her faith for guidance on the next steps to take, she found her answer.
“I prayed about it, and I didn't want to do it at first, but every time something happened that could stop me, God just knocked down those doors,” said Floyd.
While Floyd needed the extra hand in opening the door, it has since led to some amazing opportunities for her and her family.
“It's been a huge blessing for me and my family,” Floyd said. “God knows what he's doing. Every struggle I’ve faced in my life has taught me the skills and things needed to be successful.”
Mel’s Blossoms got its start shortly before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While it made for some challenging times at first, even this turned out to be another blessing in disguise. A significant part in getting through that initial rough patch was Floyd’s faith and trust in God.
“It was rough at first starting out, but when I went through my divorce we lived off of very little, so I knew it was possible. Even if I didn't make any money through the first year, we could still survive,” Floyd said. “When another business, which was pretty popular here, closed down, I ended up getting a large portion of that business, and then COVID hit and everything just blew up from there.”
Paired with her previous work experience as well as a high school entrepreneurship class, Floyd’s roots run deep in the garden of running a successful flower shop.
Now that Floyd has had an opportunity to establish Mel’s Blossoms, she’s able to reflect on how, even if she didn’t want to be a business owner, God’s plan has played out perfectly for her.
“This is my dream job,” Floyd said. “If I had just worked for somebody else, I never would have made enough money to buy my own house, get a good car, or do any of the things that I've been able to do since I opened.”
Beyond the financial wellness Floyd has been able to achieve for her family, running Mel’s Blossoms has also helped her to connect with the Portage community.
“My customers have become my friends because they're so sweet and they just keep coming back,” said Floyd.
Above all else, Mel’s Blossoms has helped Floyd provide her children with the life she knows they deserve. She is eternally grateful that God has helped her give them that.
“Everything I do is for my kids,” Floyd said. “I want them to have a good life. I just wanted to give them a house and a backyard. I wanted them to see that anything is possible with God. He can help you do anything you want to do.”
Even when not at work, Floyd still loves immersing herself with the Portage community. She loves the city in which she lives and believes it’s the perfect place for her and her family to fully blossom.
“It's so safe,” she said. “It's so quiet. Everybody goes out and walks their dogs and talks to their neighbors. It's just so sweet. I feel safe letting my kids run around or ride their bikes or go for walks.”
However, none of this would be possible without all who have supported Floyd throughout this journey. She is extremely grateful for everything they have done to help her, as well as Mel’s Blossoms, flourish.
“I just want to thank the city and everybody who has ever supported me because, without them, I wouldn't have any of this,” she said.
For more information about Mel’s Blossoms, visit melsblossoms.com.