Page 6 - RVO Women In Business Jan 2017

6VV • Sunday, January 29, 2017 • Women in Business
Advertising Supplement to the River Valley & Ozark Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Reita Johnson Daisy-A-Day Florist & Gifts
By Cody Graves
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
When it comes to a special occasion, flowers are a great way to let loved ones know you care, and one Greenbrier businesswoman wants to give her customers the very best.
Daisy-A-Day Florist & Gifts is owned and operated by Reita Johnson. She said she bought the business in 1999 when it came up for sale.
“I had always loved working with flowers as a kid, so while unemployed, an opportunity came open to purchase a shop that was selling out,” she said.
The business offers a variety of floral arrangements, as well as balloons, clothing, home decor and other items. Johnson said she typically employs three people, but during the holidays, as many as 12 will work at the shop. She said that without help from others, she could not have run a successful business.
“If it was not for my family pitching in, doing the lit- tle extra stuff as needed, I’m not sure how I would have made it this long,” she said.
“I remember one of the first Valentine’s Days I had. My children showed up with friends, and they all pitched in doing flowers and balloons.”
IF IT WAS NOT FOR MY FAMILY PITCHING IN, DOING THE LITTLE EXTRA STUFF AS NEEDED, I’M NOT SURE HOW I WOULD HAVE MADE IT THIS LONG.”
— Reita Johnson
Johnson said that for the entire time she has had the business, her mother has been a source of inspiration.
“She never complained about her job, whatever it might be,” Johnson said. “She encouraged me to be a strong leader in whatever I do, from raising my family to doing flowers for that special customer that I prob- ably don’t know and would not see, and to make every arrangement like I would want to receive it — as fresh as possible with the love of Christ.”
Johnson’s children are now adults, but she said that running a business while raising a family wasn’t always easy, but that she “prayed and asked the Lord for guidance on both business and my children,” she said. “Sometimes it was easier to make it to the kids’ functions than it would have been while working somewhere else.”
With a small community like Greenbrier, she said the support of the local community has been one of her biggest successes.
MATT JOHNSON/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Reita Johnson, owner of Daisy-A-Day Florist & Gifts in Greenbrier, has owned the business since 1999. Johnson said the help and support of her family have kept the shop in business.
“I wouldn’t be here if my Greenbrier family did not shop local,” she said. “They are the reason I’m still here.” Johnson said the best business advice she has ever received is to be honest and work hard, as well as to treat others like you would want to be treated, but don’t
expect to get rich.