Steve Papoulakos always had a deep love for nature. Growing up on a farm in Greece, he developed a strong connection to the land and its natural beauty. Upon moving to the United States, he pursued his dream of obtaining an education and enrolled in CUNY as a pre-med student. Steve worked hard and eventually earned his bachelor's degree in biology. However, he discovered his passion for floristry while working at his cousin's florist shop during this time. This newfound love led him to discontinue his studies and pursue floristry instead. Today, Steve is the proud owner of Vogue Flowers and president of Floramax, a wholesale floral supplier. His journey from a rural farm in Greece to establishing a thriving business in Richmond is truly remarkable and inspiring.
Despite his success, Steve remains grounded and authentic to his roots. Living on a farm in Ashland, where he grows his flowers organically, he recycles leftover stems and foliage to compost them instead of using fertilizers. The evolution of Steve from a one-man shop to a conscientious expert in the floral industry has earned him the trust of his customers. With his vast knowledge, he guides them towards best business practices that ensure their success. However, Steve’s admiration for flowers and green plants goes beyond just earning money; he believes they positively impact people's lives. “Flowers help us connect with nature, lift our mood, and improve mental health. Expressing love, joy, and sympathy through the gift of flowers is something that we should all appreciate and cherish.”
During the late 1990s to early 2000s, Steve owned and operated nine flower shops in the Richmond Metro area, making Vogue Flowers one of the top 100 florists in the United States. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the Vogue shops were forced to close down. Presently, Steve operates two retail stores and one wholesale flower shop with a full-time staff of 45 employees, including Steve’s business partner Paul Christofakis, retail director of operations Archie Kellum, a design team consisting of Calvin, Sonya, Evelyn, Charlie, Sarah, Maria, Cheryn, and a tech team comprised of John, Chanda, and Kathleen.
Vogue and Floramax are not only dedicated to providing their customers with the freshest and highest quality flowers, but they also strive to have a positive influence on the environment and the community they serve. One of their main goals is to give back to the community by supporting various charitable efforts. Most recently, Vogue demonstrated its support for the Type 1 Diabetes Foundation's gala fundraiser event, showcasing its commitment to supporting important causes for the community. Even more, Steve is currently testing an electric vehicle and plans to convert their fleet of 15 delivery vans to electric in the near future. Vogue Flowers is setting the bar high by taking active steps towards sustainability and community development. Hopefully, more businesses will follow their lead.
Vogue Flowers is located at 1114 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond. To express your appreciation this Mother’s Day, visit vogueflowers.com and send beautiful flowers to your loved one.
