Sometimes life whispers to you, and sometimes it shouts.

After I did this thing (you’ll see soon!), I kept hearing a calling to open a tea house. I remember squashing the idea at first, thinking it was completely bananas. I told myself, Who am I to do this? But the message got louder, so I listened.

I called my agent and said, I think I need to open a tea house.

He said: Why not start at your flower shop? Beta test it. See what happens.

So I did.

And what happened has been nothing short of magical.

In just a few months, I’ve had incredible buyouts for baby showers, wedding showers, private events, and sold-out public seatings. People have driven from two hours away, flown in from Seattle, road-tripped from San Diego and Santa Barbara—just to have tea with me.

NBC did a story on me.

I became the cover of Palos Verdes Magazine with a beautiful feature inside.

And honestly, I tear up thinking about it.

Every Saturday, I feel like a little girl again, dressed up in my favorite hat, saying hello to my guests and serving tea in the most beautiful china—all inside my flower shop. It’s my proudest feeling ever.

When I hosted my very first tea party—a buyout for 22 people—I had no idea what I was doing. But I remembered one thing:

I know how to make people feel good.

And now?

I’ve hosted live musicians, kids, women, men, even guests over 100 years old—and many beautiful British visitors, too. People are calling me to do tea parties in their homes, and while I can only host 25 guests per seating at my shop, I’ve started traveling to create backyard tea experiences as well.

I’m officially expanding and planning to open another location next year.

Here’s to following your heart.

Here’s to chasing the banana ideas.

And here’s to believing in the magic you’re meant to create.

Cheers!

— Jenny Barker, The Flower Doctor