Co-owners Gustavo and Guillermo Zepeda started their flower arrangement business in 2019. Combined with hard work, hustle and dedication, their creative dreams and visions flourished. By 2020, their small business outgrew its first Houston location and they decided to relocate the Bloom and Box boutique flower shop down the street to West University Place.

“Flowers can change anything. Flowers can make your day much better. Flowers can bring people together,” Gustavo said.

When clients walk into the flower shop, they’ll experience what Gustavo said is his welcoming, larger-than-life energy in the front-of-house, where one can find him as the face behind the shop’s social media account. Gustavo creates his shop’s summer content, showing customers how to water their arrangements, while Guillermo fields business calls, orders and products in the back-of-house.

“We can bring ideas to life,” Gustavo said.

The floral shop's signature collection includes pure Ecuadorian roses. (Melissa Enaje/Community Impact)
The floral shop's signature collection includes pure Ecuadorian roses. (Melissa Enaje/Community Impact)

What’s special about it?

Gustavo said he and his husband still work as a team to get the job done, just like they did when they first started the business and had no experience or background in the flower industry. While they both used to work in construction, Gustavo’s desire to start selling flower arrangements grew from an idea to the business it is today. Together, he said, they overcame the challenges brought on by being a business owner during the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant closing the shop temporarily.

“There’s always going to be plenty of bumps on the road and the more you grow, the more bumps you get. But just learn how to overcome those problems and you’ll be fine,” Gustavo said.

A family affair

Bloom and Box specializes in creating unique, made-to-order flower arrangements for various occasions, including weddings, holidays, bridal and baby showers. Each order comes with a greeting card and stationery for personalized messages, as well as care instructions.

Bloom & Box creates floral arrangements and gifts for special occasions, like Valentine's Day and weddings.(Melissa Enaje/Community Impact)
Bloom & Box creates floral arrangements and gifts for special occasions, like Valentine's Day and weddings.(Melissa Enaje/Community Impact)

The shop experiences its busiest season during Valentine’s Day, but Gustavo’s favorite season is Easter, he said, because of the vibrant pastel colors welcoming spring and joy.

Gustavo said his main focus with clients is customer service, quality and presentation to ensure every arrangement is fresh and long-lasting, regardless of the client’s budget, whether it’s $20 or $2,000.

“I’m going to make it as beautiful as I can,” he said. “I want to make sure that the client is walking out with a very happy face.”