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Rising Stars: Meet Candace Causey of Mandarin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Causey.

Candace Causey

Hi Candace, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started when I joked about owning a flower farm when I retired. We removed our deck, redid a patio, and created a raised bed area for a kitchen garden. We started growing vegetables and herbs. I would periodically throw seeds from flowers I saved in the beds and wildflower mixes. Those flowers would grow, I would cut, and friends who came to visit would be amazed I grew all from seed. That’s when the challenge began. What else could we grow from seed? Countless research and a small greenhouse closet, and I started to play. The following year, I said forget veggies; we are growing flowers in these beds. Once again, we kept increasing not only in flowers but in space. My husband and I dug up our yard, created 4 long rows, and added used landscaping fabric, an irrigation system, and a more formal greenhouse. His comment, which has always been his stance since I have known him for over 20 years, is the moment you are not having fun, stop doing it.

It’s about fun, and the fun began! I had no idea what I would do with this newfound love and hobby, but I was growing flowers from seed that I was being told could not grow here in our zone by people in Jacksonville. Then, when I had a house full of vases and jars of flowers, it was decided I had to create a business. This was working; I had rows of beautiful flowers in my backyard.

We then started on a name. I was all over the place with that. And then my husband came up with Three Sweet Peas one evening, having a drink with me around the fire. Sweet Pea is the pet name he has always called me and now calls our two daughters; hence, there are Three Sweet Peas in our house. It was perfect.

Through our journey with the gardens, the social media, the business components, and all the research, we have learned a ton and met some amazing people with talent beyond belief. I had the chance to meet and work with so many in Jax and made some lasting relationships. We recently welcomed “Rosie,” our F4 Ford dually red 1952 vintage truck, completely unplanned, into the Three Sweet Peas biz. We use Rosie for photo sessions, events, and flower sales. And she is so much fun to drive. We have so many fun plans for Rosie and our business, and we are still having fun. Flower farming isn’t all glamorous when sweaty, but you must weed the beds, fertilize, or plant. And don’t forget the driving rain when you have just planted your seedlings or the massive wind storms when your sunflowers are 7 feet tall and at peak blossoms, ready for an event the next day, and then they are lying over and broken; you do cry. I’m not a large-scale farmer, but I know it’s not for the faint of heart, and I greatly respect the farming world. It’s expensive, hard work, stressful and unpredictable. But at the end of the day, I love the dirt, the hard work, and being able to pick straight from my garden and be proud of what I can grow.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth sailing isn’t a word in the small business or farming world. Where to start, being business savvy, accounting, rules, laws, regulations, taxes, social media, advertising, wind, rain, dry, heat, freezes, sun, time change, being tired, no time, I could go on. You lean on your resources, ask questions, get shot down, and fail; seeds don’t germinate, some do and spread and take over, weeds take over, we have a hurricane, we have a drought. I don’t start seeds soon enough; I might miss growing or picking windows, flowers wilt, transporting flowers in water, finding people who want to buy them, picking in the dark, and tracking my receipts. I mean, it’s all challenging. But it’s fun at the same time because when you get a beautiful bouquet, it’s worth it. Besides, who doesn’t love flowers? They make everyone happy. Then there was the task of how to be profitable, or how to maximize our space, timing when to plant after a freeze, when to order and what to order, what colors people want to see, what blooms last, what don’t, what is not worth planting again and what is worth multiplying in the future. Again, my list is endless; it’s all about learning and growing in business and life. It’s enhanced our lives and our with our family.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I went to school for Interior Design, received my design license, and worked full time for a large corporation in town in their Facility Planning Dept. as Sr. Manager over highly talented designers, project managers, and construction professionals. By night, I grow flowers, drive vintage trucks, raise chickens, truck kids to tennis, do laundry, learn elementary school math, heat leftovers, and watch Netflix with my husband. I love color, design, and being creative. The garden is my and my family’s happy place, and we spend time there not only to prepare for orders but it’s our break. That’s what I am most proud of: being able to provide experiences for my family that are unique, memorable, and special.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?

  • Pinterest! Floret – flower farmer
  • Garden Answer
  • Seed sites, Eden Brothers, Johnnys seeds

Contact Info:

Image Credits
@Driscollcompanyphotography @charlesmoltonphotography

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