Local businesses bring community together
D&G Blooms
Recently there has been a severe lack in local small businesses, specifically ones with storefronts. However D&G Blooms, a local floral and gift shop, opened their storefront at the Kimber Plaza in February and is thriving while also supporting other local businesses.
Leslie Spalinger, the owner of D&G Blooms, has been arranging bouquets and curating personalized gift baskets since 2020. In Nov. 2023, Spalinger received the keys to her shop and began the process of updating and renovating the space to fit its new purpose. In Feb.202,4 D&G Blooms opened their doors. From the art on the walls that are pieces from local artists of local scenery, to the company logo that represents her family through florals her attention to detail goes beyond. “The logos are actually all of my family’s birth-month flowers. My husband’s, mine and our sons … there’s also a lily in there for our dog, Lily,” Spalinger said.
Spalinger founded her business with the hope of bringing joy to the community and making people smile. “I’ve always loved flowers and I’ve always loved wrapping gifts and giving them to people to see everyone’s face of pure joy when they open them,” Spalinger said.
One of the standout features of D&G Blooms is their mission to support other local businesses. The shop carries a wide variety of local companies’ products for sale and supports local artists by holding art workshops. “It’s so great to bring the community together and have fun. We are able to support a lot of local women’s businesses and local artists,” Spalinger said. D&G Blooms also hosts paint nights, craft nights and many more activities that support local artists and entrepreneurs while bringing together the community for a good time.
Nails By Cassidy
High school is known for being a busy time filled with classes and assignments, however, for students like Cassidy Knight, senior, homework is not her only responsibility. Knight has been running her own nail business for almost three years while still attending school. While running a business and attending school can be difficult at times, it can also be extremely rewarding. Not only are students given the opportunity to earn money, but they are also rewarded with the appreciation of customers. “The customers end up so happy which makes it worth it because then I made them feel good,” Knight said.
Owning a business also teaches many important life skills such as financial responsibility, creativity, and gratitude. Knight has found that gratitude goes a long way in business. “Appreciate the first people who come to you when you’re first starting out. Those people who were your first clients will be your biggest supporters. You are going to remember them,” Knight said.
Looped With Chlo
Chloe Scacheri, sophomore and owner of Looped by Chlo, sells a variety of handcrafted crocheted products from shrugs to bags. She finds that by owning her business she is able to bring satisfaction to the community. “My biggest goal is to make other people happy. I really like making gifts that people can give to other people and create a sense of joy,” Scacheri said.
Starting a business takes time and can be challenging, but is ultimately worth it. Scacheri encourages other students interested in owning a business to start sooner rather than later. “Do it! It’s a good way to bring in some money if you want to. Talking to other people about it will get them interested that way you have a demand,” Scacheri said.
