Florist Daisy Guadarrama had no idea she would get fired from her fast-food job and start her own flower business—let alone go viral on social media for getting heckled while selling those flowers.

This past June, Guadarrama stood outside the Don Haskins Center with her children, selling flowers as part of her business, Flowers by Daiz. Determined to push through the El Paso heat, she was caught off guard when a woman approached her and began giving her a hard time.

“She had turned and looked at the flowers and stared at them with such hate in her eyes,” Guadarrama said. “She told me that I wasn’t going to sell anything and that my flowers were going to die, so I should leave. We weren’t doing anything wrong. We were just trying to make some money.”

The encounter was recorded by her daughter and originally posted to TikTok before eventually being shared by FitFam, the popular “all things El Paso” Instagram account. The video quickly gained attention and spread throughout the community.

Rather than focusing on the negativity, Guadarrama chose to focus on the overwhelming support she received afterward and the positivity that blossomed throughout the comment section.

“I am beyond grateful,” she said. “The support means that not only am I growing, but my family is growing.”

Guadarrama’s business began with a simple anniversary gift for her husband. Inspired by videos she saw online, she started creating eternal flowers—flowers made from fabric that never wilt.

“I had seen a few videos on social media and wanted to try them out,” she said. “The first few I made were horrible, but then I progressed and coworkers of mine started asking if I could make some for them. I would only charge enough to cover my materials, and it just picked up from there.”

What started as a hobby eventually transformed into a full-time business after she lost her job. The transition from a traditional work schedule to entrepreneurship was an adjustment, but one she says was made easier by the support of her family.

“We joke about how even though the business is called Flowers by Daiz, we should have named it Flowers by Daisy and Ricky or Flowers by Daiz and Family,” she said with a laugh. “My husband always helps me out. If we see people at the store picking flowers, he always goes up to them and hands them my business cards.”

Using social media and word-of-mouth marketing, Guadarrama’s business continued to bloom. Through persistence and passion, she built a loyal customer base while remaining true to the values that inspired her business in the first place.

“It’s just a passion,” she said. “We have to appreciate every beauty. From a daisy to a rose, they are all so unique. That’s why, despite the heat, you have to keep pushing and remind yourself to appreciate life’s opportunities. No matter what kind of situation you’re in, you just have to turn around and look at the flowers and try to be just as strong as them.”

Like many small business owners, Guadarrama has faced challenges along the way. Rather than viewing fellow florists as competition, however, she believes success is something that can be shared.

Small businesses often face obstacles, but instead of competing against one another, Guadarrama believes in supporting others because lifting up one business helps strengthen the entire community.

“The sun comes up for everyone,” she said. “I see my fellow florists as colleagues. The only competition I have is with myself, and that’s just so I can better myself as a business owner and a florist. When I see someone win, I feel like I’m winning too.”

Looking toward the future, Guadarrama hopes to continue sharing both her knowledge and her passion by offering floral arrangement classes and eventually opening a brick-and-mortar storefront of her own.

“I’m beyond grateful that I get to be included in special moments,” she said. “From ‘I just miss her’ to ‘I’m going to propose,’ my business being a part of those moments means a lot to me.”

Today, Guadarrama has built a thriving business that not only supports her family but also helps cultivate a community centered around kindness, support, and encouragement—even toward those who may not offer the same in return.

Through her business and social media presence, she frequently uses the hashtag #elsolsaleparatodos, which translates to “the sun comes out for everyone,” as a reminder that opportunities exist for everyone willing to work for them.

“There’s enough sun for all of us,” she said. “I use that hashtag because we all have opportunities. Whatever it is that people are selling, our community is large enough that we can all support one another, which also helps support our families. There are going to be good times and bad times, but sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses.”