Meet Allison Virgadamo | Lead Florist & Owner

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

Hi Allison, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think my relationship with risk has definitely changed a lot over the years. I have never really been a huge risk taker. Taking a chance on something new and unknown is really hard and scary, and you really have to be ready to commit once you take the jump in.

I think I let my fear of risk hold me back for a long time, which contributed to me starting my own business later in life. The weird thing is, that has not turned out to be such a bad thing. All of my experience in advertising and marketing in corporate America has really helped with me growing and promoting my business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think my journey into floristry is probably a little different than most. I dreamed of working with flowers since my early twenties. When all my friends started getting married, I would beg them to let me do their flowers. When we had wedding and baby showers, I was always the one volunteering to do the flowers. I tried to get experience and practice in any way I could while I held down a corporate job to make sure all my bills were paid. It wasn’t until Covid hit in 2020 that everything came together and I decided it was time to take a chance and do what I wanted with my life. I have not looked back since! It is so crazy how when you are where you need to be doing what you are supposed to be doing, everything comes together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This question is actually really funny because I don’t do much anymore because I am always at the store! Hahaha.

I would definitely take them to some of the new restaurants in the Oak Forest, shopping on 19th street and shopping around at all the local shops in the area. I am very into supporting local, so that would definitely be top of my list. We also have some really good breweries and bars right in our neighborhood, so I am sure we would hit those up as well!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow, this is a really hard question for me. I feel like I have received SO much support, love and encouragement from family, friends and even strangers, that it would be hard for me to narrow it down to one specific person.

I think if I could contribute my success to anyone, it would be my community in general. I grew up in the Oak Forest/Garden Oaks area where my business is located, and everyone has been so supportive of helping and watching me grow. It’s really funny, sometimes your biggest supporters and cheerleaders are people you don’t even know. I think that is one of the beautiful things about owning a business that deals with the general public. So many customers become great friends and supporters.

Website: www.shopfrankieandflora.com

Instagram: @frankie_and_flora

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frankieandflorahouston

Image Credits
Brittney Chiappinelli Kate Robinson