Pam Karg, owner of Pam’s Blooms, stands beside “Petunia,” her Flower Shop on Wheels. (Photo: Ronni Hannaman)
After 30 years of teaching first graders and kindergartners, Pam Karg is ready to become an entrepreneur. Instead of watching wheels on the school bus go round and round, it’s Pam’s new Flower Shop on Wheels that will go round and round as she takes her start-up business on the road around the region.
Hoping her budding new floral business will take root as she develops clientele who will appreciate her fresh flowers and designs, Pam understands starting a new business won’t always be a “bed of roses.”
Three years ago, Pam and John Karg decided it was time to retire and leave their home state of Georgia to begin a new phase in their life journey. John retired from the U.S. Navy in 1997 taking up a second career in the financial industry after moving to Atlanta. Pam continued teaching.
Northern Nevada was on their retirement research radar. They enjoyed family vacations in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas when John was stationed California. The original intent was to put down roots in Reno. Instead they fell in love with the quality of life Carson City offered.
The Kargs, like so many active retirees who relocate here, were not ready to sit on the couch. Still full of energy and ideas, they continue finding ways to keep their brains engaged as they seek to blend their creative passions with community needs.
Not quite ready to retire from teaching after the big move, Pam taught at Bordewich-Bray for three years though she had originally planned to teach for six. “I have always loved teaching and had planned to teach longer but teaching on Zoom during the pandemic was stressful on me and the students, so I decided it was time to quit teaching.”
She credits John with launching her new career adding, “John was thinking of starting another business and while he was looking on Craig’s List, he found an ad for a flower truck for sale in Oakland and thought this might be something I would like to do since I have always loved flower arranging.”
Off to Oakland they went in April 2020 and fell in love with the eye-catching purple UPS-sized flower truck. After talking with the owner, they embraced the concept of starting a pop-up floral shop. The truck had all the bells and whistles including a generator, flower cooler, and running water needed to keep flowers fresh. A graphic designer was hired to incorporate the existing design into their logo. A few cosmetic changes were made to the outside incorporating the new name Pam’s Blooms and the newly renamed Petunia was ready to hit the road.
But Pam was not quite as ready to go. Deciding she needed professional credentials, she has spent the past year learning the art of professional flower arranging from Portland’s world renown Florist Design Institute to earn a Certified Flower Designer certificate. She and Petunia are now ready to hit the road. She states, “I love watching faces burst into a big smile when they receive my beautiful blooms.”
While Pam plans to drive Petunia to various events to sell bouquets, individual deliveries will be made by a regular car. Want to do a special event? Colorful Petunia can be driven to weddings, graduations, or anywhere flowers would be a welcome addition. She especially enjoys making wearables for bridal parties.
Starting any new business is risky and expensive, but not having to pay overhead associated with a brick-and-mortar location has reduced pressure allowing Pam to enjoy growing her business at her pace.
Pam prides herself in buying the freshest blooms from mostly local sources including local flower growers. She can hunt down any type of flower to create one-of-a-kind arrangements.
John will be assisting Pam as she grows. He’s an accountant by trade and will help keep the finances straight. Plus, he serves as Petunia’s driver.
“Pam and Petunia are the stars of the show,” he says.
Purple is the color of transformation and creativity and what better way than to transform someone’s day than to bring artfully arranged blooms into their world. Lady Bird Johnson is credited with saying, “Where flowers bloom so does hope. “
Pam will be selling fresh blooms the first Saturday each month in front of Aunt B’s Antique’s, 512 N. Curry. She’ll also be participating in Taste of Downtown, Sept. 11, and the Oktoberfest at Casino Fandango October 2-3. Reach Pam at 775-350-8151.
