Meet Jessica Carter | Florist, Nursery

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am super fortunate in that starting the business wasn’t something that I was charged with, instead I have the honor of continuing a family business that was started in 1968 by my father’s parents and is currently owned by my parents. I spent 12 years as an educator and throughout my time in education, I found myself always back working within our businesses. About three years ago, I took a leap of faith and stopped teaching, I wanted to be in our businesses full time and wanted the opportunity to make my mark. It is my privilege to be modernizing the business to today’s time. I have enjoyed creating new elements to our family business while maintaining the quality of products, level of customer service, and values that have been passed on for the last 55 years.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am so proud of what our businesses are and continue to grow and become. Like I mentioned before my grandparents started our business, Carter’s Florist, Nursery, & Landscaping in 1968, over the years the vision and services we currently offer have shifted and changed. But the family, the products, and many of the employees haven’t changed. The florist has been in operation for the 55 years but 20ish years ago, my Dad made the decision to close the Nursery portion of the business after many years. The business structure for the Nursery changed as big box stores moved into our community. The quality of the product continued to be the best here but the value of the product changed as it was seen for lesser amounts elsewhere, consumers flocked to the big stores and made our business plan shift. It was then that my Dad started our tree farm from literally acorns and cuttings. He grows crepe myrtles, live oaks, and various plants and sells them commercially through C3 Tree Farm. I had the privilege of watching this business grow and seeing through him how hard work really pays off. It gave me the opportunity to grow trees through FFA in a small business setting, I won numerous awards and scholarships. Upon graduating from Texas A&M, I began a career in education in Bryan ISD, I wanted the opportunity to try a career outside of the family business. But I always found my way back to Florist and Tree Farm helping out in any way I could. I really loved working with my Mom, Dad, and Bigmomma (grandmother). I moved back to Conroe and continued teaching but started working part time at the florist revitalizing the wedding portion of the florist, I would head over after a day of teaching to meet with brides and help out with the daily ins and outs of our business. About three years ago, I decided to hang up the education hat and jump feet first into the business. I haven’t look backed since then and have done my best to uphold the quality of product and level of customer service that has been set before me while creating new outlets for our business to grow. I am so proud of the addition of our Wine & Design Classes, Santa Claus & Easter Bunny Mini Photo Sessions we’ve added and just recently we have reopened the Nursery portion of the business as well.

I hope people know that when they visit our business and shop with us that you are apart of a family’s legacy. We pride ourselves in quality and want only the best for our customers. Our product, space, and employees are a direct reflection of us. It’s a privilege to be apart of your life’s moments whether it’s celebrating a wedding, a new baby, guiding you with plants, or helping you family in time’s of sorrow. I want others to know that each transaction is more than a transaction, their is a person doing a little happy dance that you believe in their product and are supporting their dreams and goals. The nursery carries all types of shrubs, bedding plants, hanging baskets, fertilizers, soils, etc..

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would hope my bestie would want to visit in the Fall because it is football season and I one proud Aggie and never miss a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Football game. I would totally plan a day trip to CS for that, it would include a trip to Kyle Field as well as the Dixie Chicken! Plus I would throw in a day trip to Warrenton for Antiques Week! If they were here in Spring, a trip to Rodeo Houston with a concert would be a must! Conroe is so centralized you can make it so many places in such a short amount of time!

But I would also show them my favorite parts of Conroe! I love shopping and we have some of the cutest little boutiques in our area, I would also take them to eat at Pappasitos, can’t go wrong with their yummy cocktails and queso but some pool time at my parents would be on the list, it is so relaxing!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without hesitation, I jump right to my family, especially my amazing parents, they have set such a wonderful example for me. They truly have loved me unconditionally and given me so many opportunities in life, it is safe to say I am the woman I am today because of them. From a young age they have always had me involved in different activities such as 4-H, FFA, Dance, Cotillion, etc., they made sure opportunities were always present for me to learn everyday life skills and have the opportunity to showcase the skills I possessed. I even see this now as an adult, they are allowing me to continue chasing my dreams and are such a big part of the goals I set for myself.

Website: txcarters.com

Instagram: cartersfloristconroetx

Facebook: Carter’s Florist & Nursery