Ah, June 2017—a month etched in my memory as the dawn of a dream. That was the month we flung open the doors of Veda's Flowers & Gifts, our charming little flower shop on the Murfreesboro historic public square.
Back then, the square was our canvas, and every visitor was a brushstroke. We greeted each customer with open arms, handed them a smile to-go, and cheekily asked for their email addresses because what’s a shop without a newsletter, right?
When Veda's was new, the flow of customers was more of a trickle than a flood. But, oh, how we made the most of it! Between arranging bouquets and adjusting the displays, I busied myself creating a Facebook business page and an Instagram account for Veda's.
My vision was simple: showcase our little shop's personality through daily posts that could charm the socks off anyone scrolling through. I set ambitious goals for myself—500 Facebook followers and 1,000 Instagram followers within six months.
As the weeks rolled by, our Instagram gained momentum. I’d post pictures of vibrant bouquets, quirky gift arrangements, and behind-the-scenes antics.
Around the 600-follower mark, Brian, my husband, suddenly took an interest in my social media obsession. I should have been suspicious, but I chalked it up to his supportive nature.
Enter: Murfreesboro Square Shops
A week or so later, my sister Kim and I noticed a peculiar Instagram account named “Murfreesboro Square Shops.” It seemed dedicated to showcasing local businesses around the square, and to our surprise (and delight), they appeared to have a soft spot for Veda's.
This mysterious account shared our posts at a rate of three to one compared to other shops. It was as if we had a secret admirer! Naturally, we wanted to thank this benevolent promoter. I asked Brian, my friends, and even the neighboring shopkeepers if they knew who ran the account.
All responses were variations of, “No idea, but they sure do like you!” Over the weeks, this “secret admirer” continued their campaign, boosting our posts at what became a 4:1 ratio. I was flattered, albeit curious.
The Plot Thickens
By the time our Instagram account hit 850 followers, Murfreesboro Square Shops had amassed 770 followers of its own. The account’s devotion to Veda's was becoming a hot topic among the ladies of the square. “Rhonda, who is this Murfreesboro Square Shops? They’re practically your fan club!” they’d ask. I could only shrug and laugh, equally amused and mystified.
One Saturday, while driving back to Murfreesboro from visiting my Uncle Billy in west Nashville, the mystery took an unexpected turn. Brian was driving, and I was, as usual, glued to my phone, crafting an Instagram post for Veda's.
“How’s it going?” Brian asked casually. “Great,” I replied, not looking up. “I’m almost at 1,000 followers—968 to be exact.” A few minutes later, Brian asked again, “How many followers does Murfreesboro Square Shops have?” I checked and replied, “1,012.” Brian grinned but said nothing.
Another minute passed before he blurted, “I know who runs Murfreesboro Square Shops!” I looked at him, wide-eyed. “Who is it?” With a sheepish chuckle, he confessed, “It’s me!”
The Secret’s Out
To say I was floored would be an understatement. Brian went on to explain that he’d created Murfreesboro Square Shops as a playful experiment and a way to help promote Veda’s Flowers & Gifts. He’d challenged himself to see if he could grow his Instagram account faster than Veda’s Instagram account, despite a disadvantage late start.
It had been a secret race to 1,000 followers all along! Apparently, keeping this secret wasn’t easy for Brian. He’d enlisted our niece Chloe and our daughter Aleia as accomplices knowing this secret from almost the beginning. Together, they all orchestrated the ultimate social media surprise sneak attack.
The Aftermath
I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Brian’s prank had not only entertained him for weeks but had also provided priceless publicity for Veda’s. By the time Murfreesboro Square Shops hit 1,000 followers, our shop wasn’t far behind, and the buzz it generated among our fellow business owners was icing on the cake.
Today, Murfreesboro Square Shops sits at a respectable 2,721 followers. Though the account has gone dormant, Brian assures me it’ll spring back to life soon. As for Veda’s, we’re thriving—not just because of our beautiful flowers and gifts but because of the love and creativity that went into building our presence, both online and in the community.
A Family Story for the Ages
Looking back, I can’t help but smile at the memory of Brian’s little social media experiment. What started as a playful challenge turned into a cherished family story that we’ll laugh about for years to come.
So, yes, I’ll admit it: Murfreesboro Square Shops won the race to 1,000 followers. But the real victory? The joy, laughter, and love that went into the journey. And if you’re reading this, Brian—thanks for being my biggest cheerleader, my secret admirer, and, above all, my partner in life. Here’s to more laughs, more flowers, and maybe a rematch on Instagram one day.
