Stem to stern

SHE IS

Making sure the business runs smoothly.

JACK OF ALL TRADES

Each work day she is surrounded by beautiful flowers. But just

because her environment is serene, it doesn’t mean that the job is

peaceful. It’s quite the opposite.

Vicky Pham does whatever needs to be done to keep her parents

shop, First Choice Flowers, up and running smoothly.

“I am part designer, receptionist, assistant manager,” Pham said.

“I take phone orders, help customers choose arrangements, give ideas

for what they might want for a particular occasions.”

Although the 24-year-old is not the main floral designer, she does

do some arranging -- especially when they have an abundance of

orders.

She is in charge of the design of the store’s brochures, business

cards and print collateral, and she maintains the shops Web site.

Pham enjoys the creative aspect of her job, she said, explaining

that every arrangement is different and that it is always fun to look

for new containers, vase styles and congruently put them together

with the mix of colors and the myriad flowers available.

“I like it when a customer is difficult and picky -- it forces you

to get it right, to be creative,” Pham said.

PETUNIAS VS. PEOPLE

No matter how beautiful the flowers are, it’s the people that

bring the shop to life, Pham said.

“A guy came in and was trying to get his girlfriend back,” Pham

said. “He spent $700 and said do whatever you want, just fill her

house with flowers. When we brought them there -- she didn’t want to

take them.”

The ex-girlfriend, Pham reported, said, “Oh no, he did it again.”

She gave the truck load of flowers to her neighbor.

The most concerned and meticulous customer is a boyfriend giving

flowers to his girlfriend, Pham said. They check on the order and

might call several times.

“They ask, ‘how did she react, what did she say?’” Pham said.

They have had some customers at the shop who have ordered from

them since they first started dating, through their wedding, and

still order flowers.

MOM AND POP

Huntington Beach residents, Pham’s parents opened First Choice

Flowers a little more than six years ago.

They specialize in roses, Ecuadorian roses of every color, orchids

and exotics and they have a plethora of fresh flowers. But they also

carry plants, silk arrangements, stuffed animals and balloons,

prepared for any occasion, including weddings, funerals, parties,

holidays and every day occasions.

-- Story by Suzie Harrison;

photo by Crystal Lauderdale