Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Frank.
Hi Paula, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by beautiful things. Color, fabrics, aesthetics, symmetry, asymmetry. My sister used to tell a story of how, in the first or second grade, I changed out of the outfit my mother sent me to school in for picture day. Apparently, my little seven- or eight-year-old self decided that my Sunday church outfit would not suffice for such an important photographic moment. Instead, I packed a little blue crochet sweater with a ruffle panel across the front, dotted with bright pink satin roses. That was how I wanted to be seen – with a little flair, even at that age.
I am much the same today. I still love beautiful things: designing beautiful floral arrangements, tablescapes, parties, interiors, and home goods. There’s something about creating beauty – bringing together color, texture, form, and unexpected details – that has always been instinctive to me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was a “corporate girly” for decades. But my curiosity about the new and unfamiliar has always led me to some interesting—and often wonderful—places.
In 2022, after years of doing floral design part-time, I decided to take a leap. I built a floral studio in my basement and began doing flowers full-time. I was incredibly grateful to wake up every day and do something I truly loved.
But I was also building a business from scratch. In the process, I invested a significant portion of my savings, and after 9 months, I had to make the difficult decision to return to a job with a steady salary. I grieved that experience deeply. It was hard to step away from something that had brought me so much joy and had felt so much like me.
By 2025, I was creatively “lovesick.” I knew I needed to try again—but this time with a new vision, more experience, and a stronger set of tools.
Luxe & You Floral Café – Richmond was born in February 2026.
Today, I’m continuing to grow Luxe & You into what I’ve envisioned from the beginning: a trifecta of beautiful flowers, exceptional coffee, and meaningful experiences. A place to shop gorgeous flowers online and in-store; linger over a high-quality cup of coffee (coming soon!); and gather for thoughtfully curated events designed to foster joy, community, great vibes, and togetherness.
At its heart, Luxe & You is about creating beautiful things—and creating a beautiful place for people to experience them together.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I believe my flowers are special. You’ll never look at my work and think, “That’s so ordinary.”
I love creating my own floral recipes and rarely lean on templates. I’m at my best when clients tell me about their vision—whether it’s centerpieces for a wedding or intimate dinner party or a special arrangement for someone they love. I’m completely in my element when someone shares a look, a color palette, a scent, a favorite flower, or even a feeling and asks me to create something beautiful from those details. I also love incorporating berries, branches, and other unexpected elements that add texture, movement, and that little something extra that takes an arrangement to the next level.
That same love of detail, beauty, and warmth carries into the events I host in the store—and soon, it will be part of the coffee experience we create as well.
For me, it’s all connected. Whether I’m designing flowers, setting a table, hosting an event, or creating a space where someone can enjoy a beautiful cup of coffee, I want the experience to feel thoughtful, distinctive, and a little unexpected.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perseverance. When I know I am where I need to be and am aligned to my purpose, I don’t give up. I may have to pivot several times before I find the right solution or groove but I always find the strength to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luxeyouflorals.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxe_n_you/?hl=en
