Kat Whitehurst has spent the last year creating custom flower designs for weddings, holidays and all occasions at her store, A Proper Tulip.

"I did a lot of weddings this year, which is my favorite thing to do," she said. "Now Valentine's Day is coming and I love it because it's good business for us."

By the end of the year, Whitehurst said she hopes she will have twice as many customers.

"Everyone who comes in here is welcomed," she said. "Word of mouth is definitely working."

A Proper Tulip, 8190 Barker Cypress, Ste. 1900, Cypress, 281-856-8602, www.apropertulip.com