At the recent Colton City Council meeting, Council Member Dr. G (Dr. Luis S Gonzalez) presented Karla’s Flowers with a “business focus” recognition award for its success in the City of Colton. This family establishment is owned by Karla Ramirez, and is truly one of our amazing success stories.
Now going on three years, Karla decided to invest every penny she had to pursue her dream of owning a flower shop. Previously, she was a waitress for 9 years at a local Colton restaurant, and during that time, she got to know many of the customers, some even becoming her regular clients. Karla just loved flowers, and from time to time her customers and co-workers would bring her flowers on special holidays, or to celebrate her birthday.
Her home was always full of flowers, and with that, she developed a unique taste for color combinations and simple flower arrangements. Soon, the time came when her family members, co-workers and customers alike, encouraged her to think about opening a flower shop, and soon that’s what she did. However, there was one problem: she didn’t know anything about the flower business, nor about custom made flower arrangements.
So, saving her money from her waitress job, she put herself into a Floral Design school in Anaheim, and through sweat, determination, and lots of commuting, she completed the course in 2 weeks. Time was of the essence – her savings were dwindling, her business was about to open, and she had a family to care for. Her only hope was prayer, prayer, and more prayer. Amen to that!
On October 5, 2015, Karla opened her flower shop on 7th Street, all with little fanfare, and no customers, no orders, no employees, and no means to pay her bills. When Dr. G walked into the shop the first time, there must have been only 3-4 arrangements in the refrigerator display, a few greeting cards, and a couple of buckets of flowers in the showroom.
Today, Karla has many regular customers, and one can now see dozens of arrangements in the refrigerator, and several buckets full of every flower one can think of. The showroom is full of cards, displays, stuffed animals, balloons, chocolates, and more flowers. Karla even delivers, and employs five people – her sisters Jessenia, Angie, and Gladys, and two of her friends, Amanda and Adriana.
Her family has also been very supportive, including husband Antonio and two children, Luna and Briana. Karla now talks about buying a house right here in Colton, because she says, “Colton is like a family.” Karla Ramirez is to be congratulated for her business success and continued participation in the community. Located at 320 N. 7th Street, the shop is open M-F 9:00am – 6:00pm, and Sat 9:00am – 5:00pm.