Always and Forever Roses: Preserving ﬂowers, memories and smiles

from The WE Summit 07/27/2023

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When Jennifer Paretta, owner of Always and Forever Rose Floral Arrangements, ﬁrst saw a preserved rose, she instantly fell in love, thinking it could be an extraordinary gift: simple, yet meaningful. However when she recommended her son buy one for his girlfriend, Jennifer was shocked at the price and felt a desire to make this simple treasure a ordable for more people to enjoy.

From that a business emerged. Jennifer knew it would be challenging, but she was more than ready to run with her idea and make it a success.

“Doing everything on my own and bringing my business to where it is today within only a year has been hard,” the mother of two said. “I did the marketing, bookkeeping, product creation, order placement — you name it! But there’s nothing I can’t do.”

Her style is in the simple, organic realm: customers can choose between two collections: “Farmhouse” and “Designer” but she also takes custom requests for bridal showers, weddings, gift boxes, arrangements and preservations. Bespoken arrangements are also one of her unique services, which allows you to preserve treasured heirlooms or important events.

Handmade with care, using the ﬁnest and freshest ﬂorals — she lets her creative mind and busy hands do the talking.

“Keeping going is the most important thing to me,” she said, explaining how she manages her multiple sclerosis (MS) while growing her business. “Working out, keeping busy. You will try and fail a number of times, but the key is to keep going — in every aspect of the word.”

Busy as a bee! Not only is Jennifer the owner of her thriving forever rose company, she is also a scientist who additionally reﬁnished doors and tutors organic chemistry on the side. You don’t have to settle on one hobby, putting yourself in a box, you can evolve and master a number of skills.

“Anyone can do anything if you put your mind to it and keep getting better with time and the learning process,” Jennifer said. “And if you’re looking for a reason to start your own business — here it is! — JUST DO IT! If you don’t try, you will fail.”

Taking risks may seem frightening, but that’s only because you may not know the outcome. You might end up changing not only your life, but the lives of others. Jennifer said that she wasn’t always aware how her creations could have an impact on someone.

Despite her own initial enthusiastic reaction to seeing a forever rose, which made her gleam with awe, after a while it’s possible to lose sight of why you started your business in the ﬁrst place when in the throes of the day-to-day tasks. “I was out to dinner one night and someone said that they received one of my gifts and it makes her smile every day,” she said. “I was reminded of why I am doing this. I try to make someone smile at least once daily. I think that’s something everyone should try to do.”