Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mindy Lopes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mindy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
My Legacy: A Journey of Flowers, Love, and Giving
When I think about the legacy I want to leave, I hope that my life serves as a testament to the power of love, creativity, and generosity. I want my loved ones to remember that hard work truly pays off, but only when you love what you do. More than anything, I’ve learned that doing everything with love is key, and giving is how we truly receive in return. These are the values I hope to pass down, along with the message that personal connections and relationships are a currency far more valuable than money itself. This belief has shaped my life, my family, and my business.
As a Honduran immigrant, I have always aimed to break stereotypes and set a high standard for the next generation. I want to show the world that our culture is unique and full of individuality. My work as a floral designer is my way of sharing this uniqueness with the world. Flowers bring me happiness, and I hope that by passing down my talent and teaching others, I can bring that same joy to those who follow in my footsteps. Teaching, for me, isn’t just about passing on a skill; it’s about inspiring others to find their own creative spark and, perhaps, start their own floral businesses.
Entrepreneurship runs in my blood. My father was an entrepreneur, and even though he is no longer with us, his very first jewelry store still stands, with others following in his footsteps. That is the kind of legacy I aim to build—a lasting impact that gives back to humanity. For me, owning a business is not just about the profits; it’s about creating something that touches people’s lives in a meaningful way. That’s why I named my shop Flower Paradise. I want every customer to feel like they’ve entered a magical place, where the beauty of flowers can transport them to a world of joy and peace. I strive to give each of my clients—whether they are brides, event planners, or corporations—a deeply personal experience, filled with the highest quality flowers, soulful designs, and a commitment to 100% customer satisfaction.
One of my favorite moments as a florist came when a mother asked me to create a special bouquet for her blind daughter. She gave me the specifications, but I knew this arrangement had to go beyond just looking beautiful—it had to engage her senses in other ways. I selected flowers with rich textures and delightful fragrances, so her daughter could feel and smell the beauty of the arrangement. This was a challenge, but one that reminded me why I love what I do. Every design I create carries the love and thoughtfulness of the occasion it represents.
What do I want people to say about me when I’m gone? I hope they say that I made them feel special, that I saw beyond the transaction and connected with their stories and emotions. I want to be remembered not just for the flowers I arranged but for the love and passion I put into everything I created. I’ve always believed that flowers have a unique way of telling stories, and through them, I hope my story will live on—a story of love, joy, and dedication to bringing happiness to others.
That’s the legacy I am building. One that goes beyond business success, one that touches lives and helps others discover the magic within themselves.
“Happiness blooms from within… let yourself bloom!” – Mindy Lopes
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
There is great power in the human ability to reinvent yourself and the actitudes you take during challenging times….
I entered the floral industry after being laid off from a position in which I had invested significant effort and achieved numerous milestones. Unfortunately, the company was sold, and my role was no longer needed. Creativity has always been a part of me, inherited from my father, a jeweler and businessman. This experience inspired me to create my own brand—a brand where I could take control and express myself while giving back to my community.
Once I had this vision, everything seemed to fall into place as though the path had already been laid out for me. I began by donating my time at a friend’s flower shop for about six months. During that time, I purchased flowers to practice my designs, selling them to local car dealerships. I would visit one dealership after another, using the earnings to buy more flowers and continue honing my skills. I also started participating in green markets, and it wasn’t long before I caught the attention of a property manager who offered me the opportunity to open a small flower shop in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
Looking back, I realize it took immense courage. The city was home to many well-established florists with large customer bases, and here I was—a Honduran immigrant—eager to bring my own unique Latina flair to the industry. The values my entrepreneurial parents instilled in me—doing a job well, practicing discipline, maintaining integrity, and building a good reputation—have been key to my fulfillment and success.
We started with the retail side of the floral business, and through building strong relationships, we have expanded into corporate office plant maintenance, event décor rentals, corporate events, and weddings. We also launched Flower Paradise workshops for small and corporate groups. I often enjoy giving plant maintenance tips to my regular walk-in customers and they were actually the ones who encouraged me to teach in a more formal way. Currently, we are excited to be in the process of opening our second location in a very promising project “Terminal South” towards the end of the famous Belt Line, this way expanding our services even further. I look forward to seeing where this incredible journey will take us next.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.
I am fortunate to have a very good e-commerce customer traffic. Possibly attributed to my location. I sell on my own website and partner with Bloomnation to power and help with website design and marketing. This company works great with what I wanted for my business. I didn’t want to be tied up with contracts, wire services I felt those do not help grow your brand because is not me who is in touch with the customer. I have freedom to operate on my website, I have total control of my brand.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I started as I learn from my dad, started small and growing as you learn. I started with my own savings and I would just reinvest. As I built loyal clients I also started adding more services. When Covid happened, as company it was in our advantage that we had a considerably small overhead compared to the competitors in our area. I will come to work during Covid with just my mom and offered contactless deliveries. It was rewarding to participate in connecting family loved ones from out of state to our Atlanta community. We often donated any flowers not sold in a week leaving some small arrangements at the entrance of my apartment complex to help someone smile. Seeing an opportunity during challenging time makes a big difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theflowerparadise.com
- Instagram: @flowerparadisebymindy
- Linkedin: Mindy Lopes
