When Marisa Mender-Franklin walks through any of the nine flower farms she runs in Memphis, Tennessee, her first thoughts are of gratitude. Partly for the flowers and the bees, but mostly for the support of her neighbors. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Mender-Franklin turned to her local Facebook Buy Nothing group to ask for free land to grow flowers for her florist shop. Neighbors responded and allowed her to use their plots. This enabled her to grow flowers on nine different properties.
Marisa Mender-Franklin's flower shop is called Midtown Bramble & Bloom. Working alongside her are Courtney Sanderson, Chase Baltz, and Mary Carnes. They all participate in gathering flowers and arranging bouquets.
AP photographer Kristin M. Hall photographed Mender-Franklin and her colleagues on July 23, 2026, at one of the flower farms and in the shop. The photos show the process of growing flowers and finished bouquets.
This story demonstrates how community support can help develop a small business. Mender-Franklin's experience can serve as an example for other entrepreneurs.