He and his team of two designers create flower arrangements for weddings, funerals and other events. Through providing florist services to the Bay Area during the highest and lowest moments of life, Sims said he has grown a deep understanding of his neighbors.
“We’ve been through a lot with the community,” he said.
An East Texas native, Sims moved to the Houston area to study nursing at Sam Houston State University. While in school, his flower journey began unexpectedly after the death of his grandfather.
A florist heard him criticizing flower arrangements the family had received and challenged him to come to her shop and try making an arrangement. After 2 1/2 hours, he had made a casket spray for his grandfather.
People liked it and started asking him to do arrangements. After training from another florist and working for high-end flower shops, Sims decided to open his own shop in Pearland in 2001.
However, a cancer diagnosis in 2013 forced him to close down the shop to cover medical bills. While his treatments were successful, he didn’t have enough money to reopen a physical shop. Instead, he started his flower business again out of his car.
“From there, I regrew a business with nothing,” Sims said.
While delivering an order to Kemah, Sims spotted an open building space. He called the number and, three hours later, put a deposit down. Kemah Flowers & Co. moved into its current location in 2015.
Kemah Flowers & Co. has won a number of awards; however, the real awards, Sims said, are the notes of gratitude he receives.
“When you find a community that you love and they accept you right back, you can’t help but be successful,” Sims said.
Kemah Flowers & Co.
601 Kipp Ave., Kemah
281-532-6933
www.kemahflorist.com
Hours: Sun.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Sa.t 8:30-11:30 a.m.
