By Okon Ekpenyong

In the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota, amidst the challenges of the crack epidemic that ravaged neighborhoods in the 1980s and 1990s, one beacon of hope emerged on 1341 Knox Ave on the Northside of Minneapolis. This is where the seeds of Everett Bryant’s passion for floral design were sown and nurtured by the loving hands of his mother, Barbara Bryant. Her green thumb and unwavering love for flowers ignited his lifelong fascination, a testament to the resilience of 1341 Floral Designs in the face of adversity.

Bryant’s journey from a young man passionate about flowers to the founder of 1341 Floral Designs is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and creativity. What began as a simple gesture of affection for his girlfriend has blossomed into a business rooted in the values of authenticity, craftsmanship, and love inspired by his mother’s legacy.

Through 1341 Floral Designs, Bryant creates beautiful floral arrangements and provides a source of empowerment for his community. He envisions a space where inner-city youth and their families can find refuge, inspiration, and valuable skills to cultivate creativity and discover their inner strength. This vision instills hope for the future of community empowerment.

The loss of Bryant’s twin brother at a young age was a defining moment in his life, teaching him the importance of showing love and appreciation while we still can. This profound lesson and his mother’s love for flowers shaped his vision for 1341 Floral Designs. He believes everyone deserves a chance to bloom, regardless of circumstances, and this belief is at the heart of his organization’s mission.

As Bryant grows his business, he remains rooted in the lessons learned from his mother’s garden—a reminder that even in the most challenging times, flowers still find a way to bloom. Through his passion for floral design, Bryant is spreading joy, hope, and beauty in the heart of Minneapolis, proving that even amid adversity, a seed of love can grow into something truly remarkable.

Inspiration

This profound realization became the driving force behind my journey into floral design. Inspired by loss and the desire to honor my brother’s memory, I embarked on a mission to create beauty, meaning, and connection through flowers. Flowers do have a unique ability to express emotions that words cannot convey, serving as a tangible reminder of life’s beauty and fragility. Through 1341 Floral Designs, I seek to create stunning arrangements that allow people to express their love, gratitude, and condolences meaningfully.

From the heart

I aim to help people celebrate life’s joys and navigate its sorrows with grace and beauty through flowers. With over 20 years of experience in customer service, I strive for excellence in every interaction, inspired by my father’s dedication to perfection. My approach to design is intuitive, allowing the flowers to guide me and dictate the direction of the arrangement.

Gratification

I find gratification in knowing that my creations bring joy and appreciation to others, as exemplified by a memorable Mother’s Day arrangement that received high praise. I stay updated on floral trends through various channels but ultimately trust my intuition and artistic vision to create unique and beautiful arrangements that resonate with both me and my clients.

1341 Floral Designs

1341 Floral Designs has evolved from a premier floral design company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to a cornerstone for the spiritual, intellectual, and physical development of inner-city youth and their families. Our holistic approach to empowerment integrates core development areas such as floral design, financial literacy, and personal growth. For example, our floral design program aims to teach young people the art and business of floral design. In contrast, we will work on having a financial literacy program to equip individuals with the skills to manage their finances effectively. These initiatives enrich participants’ lives in our community.

Community focused

Our goal is to introduce programs focusing on spiritual, intellectual, and physical development within the first year of operation and engage over 200 inner-city youth and their families through our comprehensive programs. We are excited to collaborate with local schools, health professionals, and spiritual leaders to offer diverse workshops and activities and secure partnerships and funding that support our expanded mission.

Training

In addition to our floral design services and training, we plan to educate young people and families about the art and business of floral design, financial literacy, and spiritual development. We also offer intellectual enrichment sessions and physical wellness activities to promote holistic growth and skill development.

Beyond floral

Expanding our target market to include families allows us to address community needs more comprehensively and create well-rounded individuals who can positively contribute to their communities, which we hold dear to our hearts. Our marketing plan emphasizes the benefits of our holistic programs, while community collaboration and a strategic sales strategy will help us reach our goals.

Healing

Our operational plan includes collaborating with education, health, and spiritual counseling experts to deliver quality programming. We are focused on infrastructure development to accommodate a wide range of activities and secure funding from various sources to support our community-focused initiatives.

Strategic Impact

By strategically planning and considering financial factors, 1341 Floral Designs is set up for success in positively impacting the lives of inner-city youth and their families through holistic community development.

Community Empowerment

1341 Floral Designs is significantly impacting Minneapolis by promoting community engagement and empowerment. Our organization is dedicated to addressing the holistic needs of inner-city youth and families, setting a new standard for community development. Through our unique approach that combines floral artistry with financial literacy, we are creating comprehensive programs that will have a lasting impact on our city and serve as a model for other communities. We are proud to be a part of building a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant Minneapolis.

Knox

Bryant has cultivated a heart of love and compassion for others through his late twin brother and his mother’s inspiration. He learned from his father to see the world through a lens of kindness and has made it his mission to give back to his community, just as his mentors have done for him. At 1341 Knox, the love for floral started. Today, that love continues to spread love and empowerment through his unique approach of combining floral artistry, financial literacy, and comprehensive developmental programs. By doing so, 1341 Floral Designs sets a new standard for community development and inspires others to do the same. Their efforts are helping to build a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant Minneapolis.

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