We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sheritta Horne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheritta, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I’ve always knew that I would become an entrepreneur, I just didn’t know how and when. While working as a pharmacist in a local grocery store chain the floral department was directly in front it and I was like “oh wow those flowers are gorgeous” (I’ve never been much of a flower girl lol). Soon after I discovered my love of flowers I found out that there was a flower shop for sale in the same shopping center as that grocery store. So I told myself I should at least be able to get one sale a day since it is either someone’s birthday, anniversary and funeral every day. When I met with the original owners I knew I had to put in some work in nothing was automated, a true diamond in the rough. I am proud to say my diamond is starting to shine a little more since I purchased the business in 2018. I love when my old pharmacy customers come in and say weren’t you the pharmacist at the grocery store, it instantly puts a smile on my face and becomes a full circle moment going from employee to employer

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I can proudly say that I am a pharmacist turned florist! As a fourth generation business owner, I knew it would be only a matter of time for me to breakaway from corporate and pursue my own dreams of becoming a business owner. Originally my plan was to go into real estate, but once I saw my flower shop for sale I knew I had to take a chance and purchase it. And boy has it been very interesting, especially surviving as a business during COVID, definitely had to get creative. During COVID we begin hosting small groups of wine and design classes similar to painting with a twist but with flowers instead. We still offer these classes in our business space as well as at local restaurants. In addition to our wine and design classes, we offer delivery for everyday arrangements, events, weddings and funerals, this includes plants and gift items. All of our gift items are created by local creatives that are either female or minority owned brands. We also just recently purchased another flower shop and we officially have our own building its a super cute house that was turned into a flower shop and it’s pink, it’s perfect!!!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Funding definitely requires resiliency! I definitely recommend using free resources such as the small business development center, they will help you put together your business plan and find lenders. Now you will be the one doing all the work but they will help guide you in the right direction to make sure your I’s are dotted and your T’s are crossed. The bank they originally paired me through the SBA stalled, the loan officer went MIA (this is a national bank known all over the US). So I decided to take my business plan and documents to a local bank in the DFW metroplex, once they looked over everything and assessed they told me the amount of money I would have to put as a down payment (ie show I have some skin in the game). I did have to go back and ask for a line of credit to help do some remodeling in my space. When I purchased my other flower shop I had to do more work on my end since I was purchasing a business and a building (the first time I just purchased the business) since I was purchasing both it required more details and inspections. With this loan I didn’t like the original bank’s terms and they wanted me to have a cosigner, then the next bank I tried was moving way too slow, so I went to SBA and put in my info and they linked me to a couple of banks, and the bank I decided to go with was Frost the loan officer was on it and never missed a beat, I felt like I could truly tell she wanted me to succeed. Bank relationships are very important one person can help you get the funding or not. Overall, don’t let the first no deter you keep pressing forward, God put the vision in your heart for a reason and He will see you through to the finish line. Also, you don’t have to take the first offer the bank offers you always try to negotiate your interest rate and terms, its okay to shop around for the best deal/relationships with banks too!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I highly recommend reading or listening to the book “The Profit First” it is life changing for running a successful business. I initially struggled with paying my sales taxes every month once I started implementing the methods taught in profit first this problem went away, the tools it gives definitely helps you stay in business especially if your a novice like myself when you start your business. It’s fun being a creative but running a business requires a different mindset.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flowersoflascolinasflorist.com
• Instagram: flowersoflascolinas
• Facebook: Flowers of Las Colinas
• Linkedin: flowersoflascolinas