This August, as the nation recognizes National Black Business Month, we celebrate the story of Alexes Haggins, owner of Flowers by Alexes, located at 851 Upshur Street in Northwest DC. Her journey is both a personal promise fulfilled and a testament to the resilience and creativity of Black entrepreneurship.
Flowers By Alexes carries a deep family legacy. Alexes is the daughter of Bernard Haggins, who began as a delivery driver for Colony Florist in the 1960s before purchasing the shop when the original owner retired. For decades, the florist was a fixture in the Petworth community. When her father passed away in 2004, Alexes knew she wanted to one day reopen a flower shop in his honor.
“It was something I always said I wanted to do, a promise I made to my dad,” Alexes said. “At the time, I didn’t even know I had the gift of arranging flowers, because my father never taught me that part. He showed me how to clean the roses and help customers, but not how to design arrangements. That came naturally later.”
What began as simple artificial arrangements Alexes created for her office soon sparked encouragement from others to take her talent seriously. With her mentor’s support, she pursued the dream of reopening a florist, officially opening her brick-and-mortar shop in 2021. The timing aligned with the city’s post-pandemic reopening, when residents were eager to support new local businesses.
The shop’s location carries special meaning. It sits on the same street where her father’s florist once stood. Both longtime neighbors and new residents welcomed her, embracing the continuation of a family tradition in the community.
Alexes takes pride in creating floral designs that are distinct and heartfelt. Unlike traditional training, her eye for design is intuitive, giving her arrangements a unique flair. “I was nervous at first, but people really liked my arrangements,” she recalled. “That gave me the confidence to keep going.”
She credits her success to utilizing the resources DC offers to small businesses, and she is committed to sharing that knowledge with others. “I don’t believe in gatekeeping. We are better together than we are apart. I do my part to uplift and help other businesses who may not be as fortunate.”
For Alexes, National Black Business Month is about more than recognition. It is about visibility, legacy, and community. Her motivation is rooted in making her family proud, leaving something lasting for her four children, and encouraging other entrepreneurs.
“My long-term goal is to open one location for each of my children, and maybe even see franchising in the future,” she said. “I want Flowers by Alexes to grow into a multimillion-dollar business. But most of all, I want to leave a legacy.”
To learn more about Flowers by Alexes, click here.