Opening a business requires more than just finding a building and hooking-up the electricity.  A small business owner needs inventory, a computer, a cash register and supplies just to name a few things.  Small business owners worry every day how they will find the funds to purchase the start-up items.  Paying all of the bills once the business has opened its doors becomes a later worry. 

This is the story of two sisters who opened a flower and gift shop in June 2007 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. called Royal Gardens Weddings, Flowers, and Gifts.  Carol McGuire and Janet Myrick were awarded a start-up grant through Operation Jump-Start and decided to purchase inventory for their business. That grant for start-up expenses made it possible for them to spend their savings dollars on the purchase of the flower shop and allowed them to make some minor renovations to the building.  While they had originally wanted to open an all-inclusive wedding chapel, they are content to operate their shop until they find the perfect chapel to purchase.

Carol explained that they are looking for local church which has a kitchen in the facility, plenty of parking and possibly a hall or conference center.  The sisters' vision is to provide "one-stop-shopping" for someone planning a wedding by decorating the church and hall, preparing and serving the dinner and baking the wedding cake. 

"My daugher was recently married in Denver, " Carol explained. "Our entire family travelled almost 16 hours.  It was just wonderful to have the church provide all of  the flowers and decorations. That took a lot of stress off of our family." 

However, until they find the perfect chapel, the sisters work six days a week at their florist and gift shop on Broadway St.  Janet and Carol both spoke about an event this summer that still stands out in their minds--an event that showcases the reason they love what they do. 

"A girl called about mid-week and she planned to be married that Saturday," Carol said. "Something had happened with her regular florist, and the girl was in a state of panic." 

Janet continued, "Yes, she was upset. She wanted only tropical flowers for Saturday, and called to ask if we had any."   Carol continued, "I told her 'No', but I can get some here by Saturday, what exactly are you looking for?."

Carol took the girl's tropical flower order, called some of her friends in Hawaii and had the items overnighted, she said.  After having lived there for many years, Carol said she still has trustworthy contacts in Hawaii whom she knew would help her out.  From Carol's initial call to Hawaii, to the flowers' arrival in Cape Girardeau, all told was less than 48 hours! The ladies pride themselves on the routine and the not-so-ordinary customer service calls. 

Royal Gardens
1909 Broadway St.
Cape Girardeau, MO  63701
(573) 334-2111
royalgardens1@att.net

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