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Because my father’s influences in my life and career, he has made me feel that anything is possible.  The American dream for me is one filled with opportunity, hopes and desires. As a mother and business woman I find both jobs are very similar-they can be rewarding yet stressful and you're never done yet that's the best part!!!! I have come to realize life is a journey and not a finish-line. From as early as I can remember I always hoped to be an incredible parent and a creative florist like my Father and Grandfather. But you need to pack more than passion when you set out on a journey, you need to have a plan, a dash of determination, a pile of motivation and if you're lucky you get a map. My Dad was my mentor, my fan, my greatest supporter and he was my GPS. The most important lesson he taught me was "baby steps". Whether you're a young child learning to walk, a parent raising a child or an entrepreneur starting a business it was "baby steps". No job was ever too big or too overwhelming if you took baby steps. He reminded me perfection was never the goal, being MY best was. Hard work, passion and determination were the stepping stones for my journey. Just one step at a time and sometimes these steps went in the wrong direction and even backwards! He always said although you'll learn a lot from the wonderful moments of success you'll learn much more from the times you get your teeth kicked in. Unfortunately, he was so right!  But knowing that it was completely normal to feel that way made the tough times so much more bearable!

It's been a long journey but it certainly has been incredibly rewarding because my Dad taught me to enjoy the steps along the way. The process is so much more rewarding than any accomplishments could ever be. It's easy to get so busy that you only see the goal in the distance and not the joys right in front of you. Stop along the way each day to smell the roses, which should have been easier for me than most folks because I literally had a florist shop full of them and yet I had to be reminded to take a breath and smell the sweetness. Take the time to enjoy the moment wherever you are in your journey.

In honor of Presidents Day, I would like to share a quote from President Harry S. Truman because he reminds me of what my Dad would say; "I come to the office each morning and stay for long hours doing what has to be done to the best of my ability. And when you've done the best you can do you can't do any better."

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Check out more stories from our other “Salute to the American Dream” blogs

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Meredith Laurence from The Blue Jean Chef

Scott Grime from JAI Jewelry

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Tara McConnell from Temp-tations

Liam Bourke from Orthaheel

Susan Graver

Judith Ripka

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Isaac Mizrahi

Jamie Kern from IT Cosmetics

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