By Tavon N. Thomasson
AFRO Intern
From Baltimore’s Fleurs d’Ave to Los Angeles’ Postal Petals, two Black-owned floral companies are proving flowers can do more than decorate–they also can inspire creativity, self-care and strengthen community bonds in unexpected ways.
At Fleurs d’Ave, co-owner Ashley Rock Wylie’s path to the floral industry was unexpected. Partnering in business with her husband, Brandon Wylie, would lead her somewhere she never thought she’d go.
“I was laid off from CareFirst when they got a new CEO,” Ashley said. “I thought I was going to run our mental health business full-time, but Brandon and his dad decided to buy Fleurs d’Ave, and then my life took a big change.”
Formerly known as Bonaparte’s Florist, the shop had long been a treasured Black-owned business in West Baltimore with ties to Brandon Wylie’s funeral services. When it went to auction, he and his father purchased it to keep it in the community.
“He decided that he wanted to purchase it so it would stay a Black-owned business in the community, and not turn into a liquor store or corner store right there in West Baltimore,” Ashley Wylie said.
What began as an effort to preserve a neighborhood staple has become a source of joy for the small business owner, especially after reopening in 2020.
“It’s been extremely rewarding and extremely fun,” said Ashley Wylie. “I’ve really learned to appreciate the creativity behind floral design. I’m still not a florist—I still don’t have that skill—but I have definitely taken a liking to planning events.”
Ashley Wylie may not hold the title of florist, but she’s mastered the art of creating experiences. Her standout event, the Flower Power Happy Hour, is a lively swirl of petals, music and conversation that turns arranging flowers into a party.
“We take it to the next level with a DJ, open bar, food, [host], fun games, and karaoke—it’s a blast,” said Ashley Wylie. “We mainly do them at Lexington Market, and we’ve done a few in other locations.”
For the business owner, running Fleurs d’Ave is as much about people as it is about flowers.
“I believe people shop with people they like. If people feel they can relate to you or you’re going to definitely take care of them, that’s what I want to represent,” Wylie said. “We are real people. You can reach out and give us feedback, and we represent excellence at all times. If we do drop the ball, we’ll do the best to make sure we recover.”
Across the country, Los Angeles entrepreneur Talia Boone has been building Postal Petals, an “immersive floral and wellness company” now celebrating its fifth anniversary.
Founded in 2020, Postal Petals ships fresh-cut flowers to customers for do-it-yourself arranging, encouraging customers to treat the process as a mindful, creative act of self-care.
“What I’m most proud of is that we made it to five years,” said Boone. “The second is the way in which we have shown up in the various communities where we live and work. Everything from creating a Black florist database on our website and finding opportunities to bring Black florists together.”
Boone’s mission to uplift others extends to her community wellness events.
“Usually our community wellness events start with some form of movement, typically it’s yoga, stretching, hiking, walking,” said Boone. “Then we follow that with guided meditation, a sound bath meditation, or breathwork meditation. We take that energy into a really peaceful floral design workshop where we encourage them to just be creative.”
One corporate event, however, left an especially deep impression. A woman, after creating her bouquet, was given the choice to keep it or give it away, and to Boone’s surprise, she chose the latter.
“She got so emotional that she literally started crying, and she just said, ‘I’ve never gotten flowers before, and when you guys told me that I could make my own arrangement, it was so moving for me that I wanted to offer that opportunity to someone else,’” said Boone.
Both businesses are poised for growth. Boone recently launched a fundraising campaign to expand Postal Petals’ free community events, aiming to reach and serve more people. Meanwhile, Wylie is focused on broadening her delivery network and establishing new partnerships.
Ashley Rock Wylie and Talia Boone are shaping new futures through their flower businesses. By blending creativity with community care, they show how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can uplift lives and plant seeds for lasting impact.