JK Flowers Write up

Co-owner of JK Flowers 'living her dream' By Christina K. Cosdon, Times Staff Writer Published Friday, March 21, 2008 4:36 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joyce O'Brien dreamed of a second career as the proprietor of a flower shop during the years she worked for an investment firm in New York City. ¶ When she retired early and moved to Largo in 1995, family and friends encouraged her to make the dream reality. ¶ It didn't happen until her daughter, Karen Rodowicz, 34, moved to Largo seven years ago. They dabbled in the business, selling silk flowers and baskets at craft shows. "I got the bug and said, 'Let's go for it,' " Rodowicz said. "And here we are." JK Flowers opened in Antique Alley in Belleair Bluffs in 2002. Three years ago, the store relocated to 420 Indian Rocks Road. The business has expanded and "keeps transforming itself," said O'Brien, 64. "It's like its own entity." Last month, Rodowicz was named Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year. What kind of investment did it take to start up? "There wasn't a huge startup cost," said Rodowicz. "More important than the startup cost is to have the capital to keep the business afloat until it is carrying itself," O'Brien said. "It takes a while to get your name out there," said Rodowicz. For JK Flowers, "it took about two years," said O'Brien. What services do you offer? "Personal service is our main goal," Rodowicz said. "We custom create baskets or floral arrangements according to what the customer wants in color, price and theme." "We make gourmet and non-gourmet baskets," O'Brien said. "We ship throughout Pinellas County and ship silk florals worldwide." Do you have plans to expand? "I would love for us to grow," said Rodowicz. "I would like to buy my own building and maybe open a second location one day." What do you enjoy most about the business? For O'Brien, it's "living her dream." "I'm a people person and I like dealing with people — meeting, greeting and building relationships," said Rodowicz. "I enjoy being creative and helping people. Each day is a new adventure." Christina Cosdon can be reached at cosdon@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4154.