We recently connected with Sonya Sava and have shared our conversation below.
Sonya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
I began my journey as a flower shop owner and hot glass artist during a time that changed us all—when the world paused and we saw both the best and worst of humanity during Covid. Before that, I worked as a teacher in early childhood and elementary education. My husband and I were fortunate to live and work in diverse locations around the world, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, McMurdo Base in Antarctica, Alice Springs in Australia, Guam, Arkansas, Maryland, and finally, Evergreen, Colorado. These experiences gave me the unique opportunity to connect with local communities in some of the most remote places on earth. Each adventure helped me grow, and my teaching career often allowed me to work closely with people from all walks of life. All of these experiences have shaped the skills I now use as a business owner and artist.
I grew up on a small island in Rhode Island called Jamestown, or Conanicut Island. My childhood in the 70s and 80s was free and adventurous—kids had the run of the island, exploring its rocky coastline and creating our own fun. It was a wonderful community that encouraged young entrepreneurs, and I was no exception. I started with a lemonade stand, which soon became a mobile lemonade wagon thanks to a neighborhood friend. We sold our drinks down at the town dock, especially to the boaters. After a few years, I moved on to crafting hair accessories, using shells I found on the beach to decorate headbands, barrettes, and hair combs. I sold these at the annual summer craft show for a couple of years. As I got older, I took on more typical jobs—babysitting, scooping ice cream, waiting tables, working behind the bar, and substitute teaching. After living in Rhode Island, Arkansas, Colorado, and then returning to Arkansas to graduate from the University of Arkansas, I finally settled into my role as a dedicated teacher. Despite my early entrepreneurial spirit, I never seriously considered going into business at that time.
Working in the educational world for the bulk of my career effectively prepared me to deal with the myriad of skills needed to be a successful small business owner. My first teaching job was in 1998 and my last was in 2022, with a few years spent as a lucky stay-at-home mom. One of the unseen benefits of being a teacher is that you truly see a slice of life in your local community. You are given the gift of working with people who have a huge variety of personal, religious, and political beliefs. Teachers are fortunate to interact with individuals in all types of living situations and life events. You get to be part of a child’s life, helping them grow and become positive members of our world. Young kids are the pure light in our lives, and we would all be better people if we took a moment to be present with a child and have a meaningful conversation—they have big thoughts. Working with such a wide swath of personalities and cultures ideally prepared me to work with and support my local community. Owning a flower shop is a gift, and I am fortunate to be an important part of the community. My shop is there for births, proms, birthdays, graduations, proposals, weddings, and celebrations of life. We put love into our work and want families to feel that love and witness the beauty of nature—flowers!
Teaching also prepared me for business ownership by helping me weather some of the more difficult aspects of the profession. Education has become a very challenging field. The multi-tasking required of teachers today is lightning fast and never-ending. There are daily, last-minute changes to almost any aspect of a teacher’s carefully planned day, so you have to be flexible and able to quickly pivot in a new direction. Communication can also be challenging and must be considered from all points of view to avoid misunderstandings. I learned how to recognize and carefully navigate these difficult situations as a teacher, and now these skills help me in my career as a shop owner.
If I had bought this shop earlier in my career, I feel certain I wouldn’t have weathered some of the storms I’ve experienced as a business owner. Through any of my challenges, I’ve been able to calmly carry through and quickly identify the next steps toward resolution. My age and experience have definitely given me an edge in handling difficult situations in a positive, productive manner.
There are many ways that teaching has prepared me for being a small business owner, but the most personal aspect for me is that I’m still helping things bloom and grow—it’s just flowers now instead of young minds, but it’s no less important. Everyone needs to take a moment and marvel at a gorgeous arrangement, nature’s art form: flowers.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a lot of opportunities to move around to different areas, both in the US and overseas. Each place I’ve called home has left a unique imprint on my life, shaping who I am as a person, a teacher, a glass blower, and a flower shop owner.
My journey began on an island in Rhode Island, where I grew up surrounded by the salty air and the gentle rhythm of the tides. Later, I found myself in Arkansas, where I fell in love with the Ozarks and, even more importantly, met my husband. Colorado has been a recurring chapter in my story—first in Gunnison and Crested Butte, and now in Evergreen, each time offering new adventures and perspectives.
Between these American chapters, I’ve lived and worked in some of the most fascinating corners of the world: the Republic of the Marshall Islands (R.M.I), McMurdo Station in Antarctica, Alice Springs in Australia, Talofofo in Guam, and Annapolis, Maryland. Each location brought its own culture, climate, and community, and I was privileged to be a teacher in many of these places. Teaching allowed me to immerse myself deeply in local life, learning from my students and neighbors in ways that went far beyond the classroom.
One common thread I’ve noticed in all these places is the presence of flowers. No matter where I’ve been—whether it’s daily offerings in Bali, where folded palm leaves cradle a scoop of rice, a stick of incense, and a single orchid bloom, or wild calla lilies growing by the roadside in New Zealand—flowers are everywhere. They appear in religious ceremonies, cultural rituals, and simple, stunning arrangements in homes and markets. I’ve made it a habit to photograph flowers wherever I go, capturing their beauty and the way they connect people across cultures.
Flowers are a universal language. They’re a part of daily life, a commodity that all humans enjoy and appreciate. Whether it’s a bouquet on a kitchen table, a garland at a festival, or a single bloom tucked behind an ear, flowers bring joy and beauty into our lives. It’s something we can all agree upon—flowers are gorgeous!
Nestled in the heart of Evergreen, Colorado, my flower shop is a reflection of a life spent exploring the world and soaking in the beauty of nature. Each arrangement we create is inspired by the wildflowers, forests, and ever-changing seasons of the Rocky Mountains. My travels have given me a deep appreciation for the artistry of flowers in cultures across the globe, and I bring that perspective to every bouquet and centerpiece. Whether it’s the vibrant colors reminiscent of a Balinese offering or the delicate textures found in an alpine meadow, our floral designs are thoughtfully crafted to capture the spirit of our mountain home.
Beyond flowers, my shop features a carefully curated selection of unique gift items—many inspired by my years living in coastal locations, mountain towns and traveling abroad. I have a keen eye for detail and love discovering one-of-a-kind treasures, from hand-blown glass vases to artisan-made candles and locally crafted keepsakes. Outdoor adventures like skiing, hiking, and wildflower walks with my family continually spark new ideas for both floral art and the gifts we offer. I’m proud to have assembled an incredible team of floral artists who blend their own skills and experiences with your vision, ensuring every arrangement is a true collaboration. We believe that flowers are an affordable luxury for everyone, and we’re passionate about working with all budgets to create something beautiful—no matter the occasion.
Looking back on my travels, I realize how much these experiences have influenced my work and my passions. The diversity of landscapes, people, and traditions I’ve encountered has enriched my understanding of the world—and deepened my appreciation for the simple, universal beauty of flowers.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building my audience on social media is an ongoing journey, and I’m currently in the process of expanding my digital presence. As a newer flower shop owner, I’ve approached this in thoughtful stages. My first priority was to refine and build an amazing team, followed by refreshing and updating our physical space—including the workshop area and the gift shop offerings—to create a welcoming and memorable experience for our customers. Now, I’m focusing on the final stage: updating our website and building our social media presence.
One of the biggest steps I took was moving away from the previous shop owner’s website platform and partnering with a more proactive floral entity. This new platform is much more focused on social media and even provides a dedicated social media coordinator to ensure we have regular, engaging posts. It was a significant change, but I believe it’s essential to stay current and reach customers where they are—online.
This interview is actually one of the strategies I’m using to build my audience. I see every opportunity—whether it’s a feature, a collaboration, or a community event—as a chance to connect with new people and share my story. My advice to others would be to stay open to opportunities, even if they’re outside your comfort zone. Building an audience takes time, and it’s important to be authentic, consistent, and willing to try new things. Right now, I’m in the phase of updating my shop’s digital footprint, and participating in articles like this is a key part of that process.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to make sure that everyone feels like a valued part of the team and that their unique skills are recognized and utilized. In a creative environment, especially one focused on artistic collaboration, it can be tricky to balance different personalities and egos. It’s important to foster a space where egos are checked at the door during the design process, and everyone’s ideas are considered thoughtfully. Our goal is always to create the most gorgeous arrangements possible, and that requires input from all perspectives.
The artistic process can sometimes be solitary, but often it benefits from another set of eyes or a fresh viewpoint. That’s why I work hard to create a nurturing environment where people feel safe to collaborate, share ideas, and even disagree respectfully. I want all my designers to feel valued and truly part of our team.
I’m incredibly fortunate to have an amazing, diverse, and talented group of designers and drivers. We’ve formed a tight-knit tribe of fierce women who support and inspire each other every day. Maintaining high morale is about celebrating each person’s strengths, encouraging open communication, and always striving to make everyone feel included and appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thehollyberry.com
- Instagram: @evergreenhollyberry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehollyberry/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollyBerry
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-holly-berry-evergreen-2
