Passion, Grit, and Blossoms: How Michele Jones Built The Flower Bar Into a Floral Family
In this episode of Grit Won’t Quit, host Tom sits down with Michele Jones, owner of The Flower Bar, a beloved flower shop with locations in Brick and Toms River, New Jersey. What began as a teenage job blossomed into Michele’s lifelong passion and purpose. Through grit, determination, and a whole lot of heart, Michele has built a thriving, community-centered business that’s as much about family as it is about flowers.
Here’s how Michele turned her love of florals into a business that never stops blooming.
From Teen Job to Lifelong Passion
Michele’s journey into the floral industry started young. In high school, she picked up a job at a local florist so she could buy new school clothes. While she originally aspired to become an accountant, she found herself drawn back to the flowers time and time again—even during her early career in bookkeeping.
That pull became undeniable when Michele faced a life-altering diagnosis: systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. “That was my ‘God moment,’” Michele recalls. “I felt like I was being told to use the gift I was given.” With the support of her doctor and her family, Michele embraced her passion fully—and never looked back.
Opening The Flower Bar: A Leap of Faith
After nearly two decades working at a Lakewood floral shop, Michele faced an uncertain future when the business owner retired. Instead of closing the chapter, Michele decided to open The Flower Bar—a bold step she took with the support of her husband, who encouraged her to take the leap.
But the path wasn’t easy. Her first week in business brought a major snowstorm. With no plow service and no budget for one, Michele, her husband, and their teenage sons shoveled their way into business—literally.
That kind of hustle and resilience has been central to The Flower Bar’s story ever since.
Creating a Floral Family
With nearly 20 employees across two locations, Michele emphasizes one key ingredient to her success: treating her team like family.
“I can’t be everywhere,” she admits, “so I’ve had to learn to trust and empower the people around me.” From seasoned floral veterans with decades of experience to enthusiastic young designers, her team brings a blend of old-school craftsmanship and fresh creativity.
What makes the culture work? Michele leads with respect and flexibility. From allowing staff to bring their kids to work when needed, to trusting her team to manage wedding accounts and customer relationships, she believes in giving her employees room to thrive.
The result is a shop where customers feel the love, and employees genuinely want to be there—even when tensions rise during busy seasons.
Weathering Change and Growing Roots
In 2019, Michele expanded The Flower Bar by purchasing a second location in Toms River. The timing, just before the pandemic, wasn’t ideal—but it turned into an opportunity. With some extra time, she and her husband renovated the space and made it their own.
Today, the Toms River location thrives alongside the original Brick shop. Conveniently located next to a funeral home, it also allows Michele to serve grieving families with compassion and care. “It’s a bittersweet part of the job, but flowers bring comfort—and that matters.”
Community First: A Business Built on Relationships
Michele’s connection to the community is a huge part of her story. From receiving the Business of the Year award from the Brick Chamber of Commerce, to sitting on its executive board, she’s deeply invested in giving back.
She credits the chamber with helping her grow professionally and personally. “I didn’t even know what a Chamber of Commerce was when I joined,” she laughs. “Now, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business.”
She and her team actively participate in local networking events and support other small businesses, reinforcing a belief that success is better when it’s shared.
Flowers, Family, and the Future
Despite the rise of big-box stores and online ordering, Michele says her retail floral business continues to thrive. Whether it’s a Friday night date bouquet, a prom corsage, or a funeral arrangement, The Flower Bar serves a wide range of needs, every day of the week.
And while she jokes about not wanting a third location (“Two kids, two stores—that’s enough!”), Michele shows no signs of slowing down. She continues to innovate, train her team, and lean into what she loves most—creating beautiful arrangements that brighten people’s lives.
“I get to do what I love. Not everyone can say that,” she says. “That’s what makes it all worth it.”
This podcast episode was filmed at Wingman Planning in Belmar.
