Flower Business: ‘More of a Lifestyle than a Job,’ Says Hull

BUSINESS PROFILE

CHERRY VALLEY—Drive through Cherry Valley on any given evening from May through December, and you’ll find the door open and the lights on at A Rose is a Rose Florist. The shop opened on December 1, 1990 after owner Jackie Hull moved back to her hometown of Cherry Valley from Los Angeles, where she created florals for celebrity homes and movies.

Far from those days now, Hull brought her honed skills back to Otsego County and has had a successful flower shop here for 34 years. It wasn’t easy at first starting a business in a small town like Cherry Valley, Hull said, but having always had a florist in town, it seemed like a good fit.

Being raised on a dairy farm led to a strong work ethic and a love of nature which is evident in the way Hull designs.

“I love to forage items found in the fields and along the road,” she explained. “Those are the special touches that can set you apart. You just have to have that eye to see the interesting things that are right in front of you. My grandmother was a painter and also had lovely flower gardens, so I think she helped mold me at a very young age. She probably wished I didn’t pick so many flowers, but I loved making bouquets. “

One of Hull’s favorite highlights of each year is the Glimmerglass Festival Gala in New York City, which kind of kicks off the spring season, she said. And who doesn’t love springtime in New York?
“Although the first year, we got caught up in a terrible accident on the thruway. Thanks to my assistant, who knew the area, we were able to get off the highway before it came to a standstill and we made it to the city on time,” Hull recalled.

“Baseball Hall of Fame weekend is always a little crazy for us,” she continued, “but it’s a lot of fun working with MLB teams planning their parties and with the local Hall of Fame staff, as well. It’s always got a lot of moving parts and pieces and timing, but we’re a well-oiled machine and when it’s done, it’s an amazing feeling of accomplishment for all of us. This team always knocks it out of the park!”

Weddings are another of the team’s specialties.

“We’ve had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful families, making the biggest day of their lives the best day of their lives. And we work with so many wonderful local vendors that we, too, are like a family and we help each other out when necessary to make every aspect of an event run smoothly,” Hull said.

According to Hull, it’s the personalization of her business that sets it apart.

“We get to be there for people on their best days, as well as helping to comfort them on their worst days. During the COVID pandemic, we brought flowers to residents of all of the area nursing homes to help ease the burden of not being able to have visitors. And then at Christmas that same year, we got donations from the community to help fill gift baskets and purchase plants. That was the best thing we ever did. The thank-you notes that we received made you cry. It was just the best feeling to know we brought some joy during a difficult time. And it was a community effort and greatly appreciated,” she said.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about the flower business is that it’s so relaxing and really fun,” Hull reflected, “and at times it can be. It’s also very hard work, long hours, holidays, weekends and deadlines. So it’s really more of a lifestyle than a job. I’m very lucky to have the best crew of people—friends who come in and get it done, as well as my husband who, now that he’s retired, is very hands on.”

Even when it’s stressful, having a good laugh eases the burden, she said.