Alexes Haggins is the proud owner of Flowers By Alexes, a legacy business originally opened by her father Bernard Haggins. Alexes grew up in her father’s florist shop, gaining knowledge in the business and a passion to follow his footsteps.
As her father took ill, she tried to take it over, but unfortunately was unsuccessful at that time. Shortly after, Alexes was introduced to real-estate which gave her the flexibility needed to also be there for her children. Still, never far from Alexes’ mind was the desire to build on that generational foundation her father started.
After 18 years, Alexes reopened Flowers By Alexes on the same street as the original in the Petworth area of Washington, DC. She is building on that same legacy and working to positively impact the community.
In addition, Alexes creates pop-up flower stands outside her storefront which embrace her father's touch and she offers retail space for local small businesses. Her shop features traditional fresh-cut flowers, beautiful and rare plants, and modern house plants.
She is tickled to be able to continue her father’s legacy, saying:
“(I’m) paying it forward because some growers and wholesalers that are still living and who are in the industry remember my dad and are really excited to continue to work with me now. Being a business owner is very important to me because it gives me a sense of freedom and independence, in terms of not working for anyone else. It allows me to pour back into the community that I grew up in. It makes me feel good that everything my father taught me made it easy for me to successfully open Flowers by Alexes.”
