Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Kalifa.
Hi Jenny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My late husband Sami and I came to the United States as immigrants, starting completely from scratch. We did not have much, but we had determination, faith, and a strong belief that if we worked hard, we could build a better future for our family.
Owning our own business was always a dream of ours. We actually created a wish list of different business ideas and slowly eliminated them one by one until we felt confident that opening a flower shop was the right choice. I came from a background as a hairdresser, so I was used to working closely with clients and expressing creativity. Sami had experience in sales and customer relations, which gave us a strong business foundation. Together, we felt we balanced each other very well.
We officially opened our flower shop on February 15, 1990. We had heard many stories about how overwhelming Valentine’s Day could be for florists, especially for someone new in the industry. Since we were just starting out, we made the intentional decision to open the day after Valentine’s Day so we could ease into the business thoughtfully and learn step by step.
In the beginning, we did everything ourselves. We designed arrangements, answered phones, delivered flowers, and handled the daily operations together. It was not always easy, but we focused on taking care of every customer and building real relationships in the community. Over time, the business grew, and so did our confidence.
Looking back, the shop represents more than just a business. It represents our journey, our partnership, and the life we built together through hard work and perseverance.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is a teacher, and every day we learn something new. It has definitely not been a smooth road. Like any small business, we faced many challenges along the way.
There were years that tested us deeply. The recession brought uncertainty, and COVID 19 was especially difficult. We did not know what the future would look like. There were sleepless nights, long days, and moments when we had to rely completely on faith. But we never gave up. We adjusted, we worked harder, and we supported each other.
One of our greatest blessings has always been our community. From the very beginning, they believed in us. They supported our small business, recommended us to others, and trusted us with their weddings, celebrations, and even their most difficult moments like funerals. That trust gave us strength during the hardest times.
With God’s grace, we made it through every season. After 35 years, I look back not only with pride, but with gratitude. The struggles shaped us, strengthened us, and reminded us why we started in the first place. We did not just build a business. We built relationships, memories, and a legacy.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
One of the things that makes our shop special is our diversity. We have master designers from different countries and cultural backgrounds, and that truly makes us unique. Each designer brings their own creativity, color sense, and design influence, which allows our arrangements to stand out.
I also believe in giving our designers creative freedom within our quality standards. I trust their artistry. That freedom allows them to create pieces that feel fresh, personal, and thoughtfully designed rather than mass produced. At the same time, we maintain a consistent level of excellence that our customers expect.
Because of our diversity and artistic approach, we are able to serve many different traditions and preferences with authenticity. This is especially important in our sympathy work.
Sympathy and funeral arrangements are one of our specialties. Families trust us during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. We take that responsibility very seriously and design each tribute with care, respect, and attention to detail.
What I am most proud of is the loyalty of our customers. Many families return to us year after year and generation after generation. Their trust means everything to me. It tells me that we are not just creating floral arrangements. We are helping people express love, honor, and remembrance in moments that truly matter.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is serving our community with pride and gratitude. From the very beginning, this business has never just been about flowers. It has always been about being part of people’s lives during their most important moments.
I feel thankful every day to be trusted by our community. Whether it is a wedding, a celebration, or a time of loss, being invited into those moments is something I never take for granted. That trust is a responsibility, and I treat it with great care.
For me, it is about giving back to the people who have supported us for so many years. It is about integrity, compassion, and making sure that every arrangement reflects the respect we have for the families we serve. We are not just creating designs. We are helping people express love, joy, sympathy, and remembrance.
After all these years, what matters most is continuing to serve with heart, humility, and purpose. If our work brings comfort, happiness, or peace to someone during an important moment in their life, then we have done our job well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.FlowerDen.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/flowerdenflorist
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/flowerdenflorist
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/flower-den-florist-lorton
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/page/flower-den-inc-lorton-va
