Unique Flower Shop Blooms into Success

P2 Events Floral Design dba FauxReal Flowers of Hillsborough County

For Paulette Renee Pea, flowers began as a form of healing. Today, they are the foundation of a growing business that serves weddings, corporate events and special occasions across the Tampa Bay region. With guidance from the Florida SBDC at USF and business consultant Michael Jarvis, her company, P2 Events Floral Design, doing business as FauxReal Flowers, is experiencing significant growth and preparing for expansion.

A retired Air Force veteran and former Department of Defense contractor, Pea discovered floral design after returning from Iraq.

“When I came back from Iraq, one of the officers said to me, ‘Renee, you really gotta figure out a way to harness your anxiety,’” Pea said. “Flowers was my tool. What became therapy became a passion.”

That passion eventually led her to FauxReal Flowers, a floral rental franchise specializing in premium, real-touch artificial flowers. Since joining the franchise in 2023, Pea has built a thriving operation serving clients throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Based in Brandon, the business provides floral décor for weddings, galas, corporate events, baby showers and other celebrations. The company has partnered with organizations including the University of South Florida, Visit Tampa Bay and the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, while also serving as a preferred vendor at several area venues.

What sets the company apart is its business model. FauxReal Flowers offers high-end floral rentals that deliver the look and feel of fresh flowers while providing a more sustainable and cost-effective option.

“Our flowers don’t die, we’re eco-friendly and you really can’t tell the difference,” Pea said. “We are 40% to 70% less expensive.”

As demand grew, Pea sought assistance from the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County, where she connected with business consultant after attending a business planning workshop through the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

“Mike is like a rock for me,” she said. “He’s like my checks and balances.”

Through one-on-one consulting, Pea worked with Jarvis on business planning, strategic growth, market analysis and financial management. The guidance also helped her successfully secure a $20,000 grant from Hello Alice, Allstate, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network.

“Well, I was able to get a $20,000 grant,” Pea said. “Out of 250 businesses, I was one of the recipients.”

The grant funded the purchase of a delivery truck, which helped the company improve logistics and support a growing number of events. “That delivery truck has saved us time and effort,” she said.

The results have been measurable. According to Pea, the company has achieved a 35% increase in business compared to the previous year and exceeded its annual growth targets. “When I look at what I did last year to what I’m doing this year, I’m at a 35% increase,” she said. “Matter of fact, I exceeded my target this year.”

As the company expands, the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County continues to play a key role in helping Pea navigate the complexities of growth. From understanding tax obligations and workforce management to identifying professional resources such as bookkeepers, CPAs and attorneys, the consulting relationship has evolved alongside her business.

“Not being a business owner before and being part of this process, there’s a lot of things that I have learned,” Pea said.

The support has also helped her pursue valuable business certifications, including certifications as a small business and a disabled veteran-owned business. Those credentials have opened doors to new opportunities and strengthened the company’s position in the marketplace.

Looking ahead, Pea plans to open a second location in Tampa and continues to rely on the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County as a trusted advisor. “One of the things that we’re trying to do now is build a plan for my financials [for] when I look for investors or go to the bank,” she said. “I’d like to have that second location by the beginning of 2027.”

For fellow entrepreneurs, Pea believes the value of Florida SBDC consulting extends beyond business planning. “Number one thing, you need a partner. You need someone to check you,” she said. “If you really want to take your business to the next level, yes, I will highly recommend using the Florida SBDC.”