Hello everyone, and welcome to our very first blog post! I’m Rhonda, one of the co-owners of "the little flower shop on the square," also known as Veda’s Flowers & Gifts. My sister and business partner, Kim, and I are so excited to finally launch this blog, and we can't wait to share our stories, insights, and a bit of the magic that happens here every day on and off the square... in the BORO!
It's funny because the idea for this blog actually came from my husband, Brian. He's always been so supportive of our business and he's also a very keen observer. He pointed out that all the photos we post on Facebook and Instagram every week have their own stories just waiting to be told.
You know Brian was absolutely right! After looking over hundreds of pictures and graphics posted just within the last few years, there are so many funny and heartwarming moments that happen here, it’s a shame not to share them. Like that time I was chased by a rooster during a delivery! Or the time it took two of our flower delivery people to carry that enormous 100-count red rose arrangement into a house on Valentine’s Day. Those stories need to be heard, right?
It was important to us to start this blog sometime in December of 2024 and then really begin to ramp up our content efforts into 2025. But it's not just about the funny anecdotes that will make our blog post fun to read. It's about the people we meet, the connections we make, and the community we're so proud to be a part of.
We've got such a wonderful cast of characters who come through our doors all the time and we consider them family like: Donnie, Paige, Toni, Officer Matt, Michelle, Kelly-Jack, Mr. Henry, Josh, Sarah, Sean, Joe and, of course, Patrick, everyone's favorite mailman. It's these connections and friendships that make this more than just a business for us. And let’s not forget our shop dog Max who is always here to greet you with his happy tail wags and puppy kisses. Did we mention that we're more than flowers? It's funny to think when we first opened the door for business at Veda's how everyone that came into the shop thought that we were just a gift shop. We would tell everyone, yes, we're a full-service florist too. We didn't have a display cooler upstairs at the time and we have always created our arrangements in our basement portion of our shop near our big walk-in floral cooler.
Speaking earlier of our online presence, you can always order and purchase flowers online from our primary website, but you also need to check out our new Veda's Gifts Online Store, our online gift store that Brian also helped create. This makes it easy for you to shop with us for really nice gifts at any time, for any occasion. We are constantly adding new popular gifts to this storefront every week.
You know, our journey to opening “the little flower shop on the square” was quite an adventure. It all started one beautiful April morning on my back patio. The cherry trees were about to bloom, and I was enjoying my morning coffee and listening to the sounds of my Koi fishpond. I had a yellow legal pad and pen, and I was pondering about starting something of my own. I’ve always admired my husband Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit. It was then, that I wondered, “What if I started a flower shop?”. The idea blossomed right there, and it grew stronger with each passing thought.
I envisioned a place filled with vibrant colors and the intoxicating aroma of fresh flowers, a haven where beauty and community intertwined. I knew that I could not do it alone, this was an opportunity for a family affair. It became clear that it wasn't just my personal endeavor; it could be a beautiful family project. My mother, Pat, who we affectionately call Nana, was at that point in her life recently retired, and I knew she would be a valuable asset. My sister Kim is always eager to jump in on family projects, so I knew she would be an incredible partner. And then there’s my sister Vickie, with her amazing floral design skills.
We thought, why not incorporate unique gifts, things like handcrafted jewelry, home décor, and items with faith-based themes. It would be a place to find not just beautiful blooms but also meaningful treasures. My yellow legal pad quickly filled up with ideas, questions, and even a few anxieties.
Naming the shop was a challenge in itself. We brainstormed for months. But one day, while having lunch in my kitchen, our mother, Pat, had an epiphany, naming it "Veda's Flowers & Gifts," after her mother Veda, our grandmother. It felt perfect – elegant, heartfelt, and a beautiful tribute to Memaw, Grandmother Veda's memory. It embodied everything we wanted our shop to be: a classy southern gem nestled on the public square.
This is also why you will find a link tab at the top of our website to "About Us" where we tell our story. This is how we began, in June 2017, honoring the memory of our grandmother, Veda Conner.
Kim and I have always been very close and working side by side on this labor of love has only brought us closer. You can often find us together, working on floral arrangements, or just talking and laughing.
One of the biggest blessings of this business is that we get to spend more time together. When we are on delivery together, we love to laugh and catch up on life. It always warms our hearts to see the happy smiles on the faces of those receiving our flowers. It’s a constant reminder of why we do what we do.
Our family’s involvement has been a cornerstone of our success. From the very beginning, our children, Aleia, MaKenzie, Lexie, and Chloe, played a vital role in the shop. Our children, nieces, my husband and close friends continue to pitch in during busy seasons like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day to help out with running the shop, making deliveries, assisting with the designers and even grabbing some food to feed everyone.
Since they were just iddy biddy girls, they wanted to be in the middle of everything to learn the business inside out from greeting and speaking with customers, running the register, taking orders, doing inventory, ordering, etc. It’s truly a family affair.
My daughter Aleia has been bitten by the entrepreneur spirit as well. She started her own business from scratch when she was still in college with the creation of her Eledece & Co. Permanent Jewelry venture. She operates it within our Veda's Flowers & Gifts storefront and has been wildly popular and successful.
And I can’t forget to mention our talented full-time master floral designer, Mindy Whittington, who brings her creative vision to every arrangement. She is such a blessing to Kim and I both as a mentor and a dear friend. She is an integral part of our sisterhood at work and away. Mindy has instilled in us the importance of crafting each bouquet arrangement with love and a clear purpose. Every gift we wrap carries a piece of our family's heartfelt dedication to create a reflective smile and memory.We are also so very grateful for our community as well. We’re so proud to be a part of the historic downtown public square of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. We believe in the “shop local” movement, and know that every purchase with us directly supports our local economy. Our dollars spent here have a ripple effect, fueling jobs, boosting entrepreneurship, and keeping the spirit of small-town commerce alive. It’s not just about buying flowers; it's about supporting our neighbors and building a stronger, more vibrant community.
Our shop is more than just a business; it’s a place where milestones are celebrated, and emotions find expression through flowers. We specialize in creating custom floral arrangements for all occasions, from joyous celebrations to heartfelt condolences. We use the freshest, highest-quality blooms and our experienced floral designers bring creativity and expertise to every piece. We want each creation to be as unique and meaningful as the moment it represents. This is why you will find a link tab at the top of our website to, “Veda’s Flowers”.
In addition to flowers, we also offer a carefully curated selection of gifts, home décor, and sundries. We always emphasize beauty, quality, and thoughtfulness. Whether you're searching for the perfect gift or something to elevate your living space, we've got you covered. And just like our flower arrangements, we strive to make each gift and visit a personalized experience, with our attention to detail and exceptional service. This is also why you will find a link tab at the top of our website to “Veda’s Gifts Online Store”. We take great pride in delivering more than just products; we strive to deliver a memorable experience to all of our customers.
We are very proud to be recognized as one of the best flower shops in Murfreesboro. We've earned some prestigious awards, like The Ruthies, the Fire Fly Award, and recognition from Main Street. We’ve also been consistently ranked among the top 6 flower shops in the area. In the first 5 years of business, we have been a #RuthieAward finalist 3 times and then the winner for the last 2 years. Each year, we have also been a finalist in the #MainStreetAwards and we were even the winner of @LocallyOwnedMurfreesboro in 2020.
We’re committed to giving back to our community whenever we can. We actively participate in local school fundraisers and church events through donations, always looking for ways to support and make a positive impact in Murfreesboro.
"Our faith is the cornerstone of our business, and we’re passionate
about spreading God’s love through our work."
We believe that our public square is more than just a shopping destination; it's the heartbeat of our community. It’s a place where history, culture, and camaraderie blend together.
It's been a beautiful journey so far, and we are so very excited about what lies ahead. So, stay tuned to our blog, and let’s continue this adventure together. We’d love for you to share your stories with us as well, and we always love to see you in our store too!
Thank you for being a part of the Veda's Flowers & Gifts family!
Warmly,
Rhonda
