Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula McCloskey.
Hi Paula, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began my journey in May of 2020 with an honorary stand called the Little Corner Stand where I sold my plant propagations, fresh eggs, cut flowers and produce from my gardens. We built this stand to break anyone who might miss the sharp turn in front of our home. Having a car in our home at 3am was not fun. This was right when covid hit, so people were wanting to get outdoors. My little honorary plant stand became a very popular place to visit. So each year from May-October I would load the stand full of plant propagations and more. It became that little hidden gem. Then in 2022 I started my floral journey, I have always done floral since my wedding 20 years ago behind the scene, so to do this publicly was a huge step for me. I came a long ways from growing 800 tulips in my front yard at our first home in the heart of Kansas City. The stand then turned to Paula’s Petals in 2022 and I became an official business owner. We then turned one of the garages into the floral shop. My two kiddos are a little older now so I was going to find a job to help support us, but because I have been a stay at home mother for 12 years now we didn’t like the thought of me being taken away from the home just incase. So my husband decided to buy me a greenhouse, to allow me to pursue in my dreams. He said to me “its your time”. We built the greenhouse with a small amount help from August to November of 2024 and then finally getting the heat up and running by January of 2025. We had our grand opening this past April.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The only struggles we have been faced with are getting things done from building to mowing and the upkeep of our household chores. Its all so worth it though, everything always works out one way or another. Since I run things myself mostly I can only get so much done in a day. For events and such my family has been right there beside us helping in anyway. My husband works full time so our time to build and catch up are limited. We just take it one day at a time and get what we can done.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a florist and greenhouse owner. I specialize in houseplants. I have over 500 varieties of houseplants that I currently propagate. I also grow as many flowers and greenery as possible here on our property to use in floral designs. I am known as the plant/flower lady. I think what sets me apart from other greenhouses is that you meet me at every visit I am always present. I strive to label plant material correctly and give as much care/advice as possible. I also try to keep my prices as reasonable as possible. I am most proud of us. As parents teaching our kids and others along the way has been so rewarding. We have pushed ourselves to do things we have never done before. So to look back at where we started to where we are now makes me proud to see this journey we are on.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I grew up in the heart of Kansas City so it will always be apart of me. Seeing it change over the years still brings me so much joy. When we were kids we would take the metro bus each summer to see downtown which was only 9 minutes away and there were only a few stores to visit. It was a ghost town then. So to see it thriving is still cool to see. I will always love Kansas City from the views to the fountains. The thing I hate seeing is the violence, this is why we moved a little south to be in a safer environment, but still close enough to enjoy the city when we want.
Pricing:
- House Plants start at $3 and go up to $20
- Orchids run $40, African Violets are $6.99
- Mums start at $13.99
- Poinsettias are $9.99
- Floral arrangements are built upon your budget with delivery fees outside of Pleasant Hill, MO
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paulas-petals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulaspetals2022/?igsh=MWx0N2lhenFwNTJ0cA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulaspetals24?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=vkwofOwaR9s7goh4#
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/paulaspetals2022/?invite_code=f01d10ded37a473f87a9c1425e524b7d&sender=929641685489724155
