Sometimes the most beautiful things bloom after the hardest seasons.
For Alexes Haggins, founder and creative director of Flowers by Alexes, beauty has never been just about flowers—it’s about restoration, resilience, and creating meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact. After facing the possibility of losing the Washington, D.C.-based luxury floral boutique she worked so hard to build, Alexes leaned into her faith, embraced the support of her community, and refused to let one difficult chapter define her story.
Today, she’s celebrating a new season marked by the launch of her Luxury Collection of Preserved Forever Roses, the release of her debut book, From the Pit to the Throne, and a growing platform dedicated to inspiring women to keep building—even when the odds seem stacked against them. Her journey is proof that setbacks can become stepping stones when purpose leads the way.
In this SwagHer Spotlight, Alexes Haggins opens up about rebuilding her business, trusting God through uncertainty, the lessons entrepreneurship has taught her, and the legacy she’s determined to leave for generations to come.
Fancy: For those meeting you for the first time, tell us about yourself and the vision behind Flowers by Alexes. What inspired you to build a luxury floral brand?
Alexes Haggins: I’m the founder and creative director of Flowers by Alexes, a luxury floral design company based in Washington, DC, and the author of From the Pit to the Throne. More than anything, I consider myself a creative, an entrepreneur, and someone who believes that every challenge we face has the potential to become part of our purpose.
Flowers by Alexes is more than a floral business; it is a legacy. The business was originally founded years ago, and after stepping away for a season, I was blessed with the opportunity to reopen it with a renewed vision. Since then, we’ve grown into a full-service luxury floral company serving corporate clients, weddings, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and special events throughout the Washington metropolitan area. We also offer floral subscriptions, workshops, luxury preserved rose boxes, and curated gifting experiences.
The vision behind Flowers by Alexes has always been to create more than beautiful arrangements. I wanted to create meaningful experiences. Flowers have the unique ability to celebrate life’s greatest milestones, provide comfort during difficult moments, and bring people together. I wanted every design that leaves our studio to evoke emotion, tell a story, and leave a lasting impression.
My inspiration for building a luxury floral brand came from recognizing that luxury isn’t simply about premium flowers or elaborate designs; it’s about the experience. It’s about intentionality, exceptional service, attention to detail, and creating moments that people never forget. Whether we’re designing florals for a corporate gala, a wedding, or delivering a preserved rose box that becomes a keepsake, our goal is always to make our clients feel seen, valued, and celebrated.
Today, my vision extends beyond flowers. Through my business, my book, and my community initiatives, I hope to inspire others to pursue entrepreneurship with courage, embrace resilience, and build something that creates a lasting impact for generations to come. Flowers by Alexes is proof that even after life’s most difficult seasons, beauty can bloom again.
Fancy: You recently faced the possibility of losing your flower shop, yet today you’re celebrating new milestones. What did that difficult season teach you about yourself as both a businesswoman and a woman of faith?
Alexes Haggins: There was a moment when I truly believed I might lose everything I had worked so hard to build. Facing the possibility of losing my flower shop wasn’t just a business challenge; it was deeply personal. Flowers by Alexes represents years of sacrifice, perseverance, and a dream that was built through some of the hardest seasons of my life.
As a businesswoman, that season taught me that leadership isn’t measured by how you perform when everything is going well. It’s measured by how you respond when everything seems to be falling apart. I learned to make difficult decisions, ask for help, adapt quickly, and continue leading even when I didn’t have all the answers. Most importantly, I learned that resilience is a choice. Every setback became an opportunity to become wiser, more disciplined, and more intentional about how I build my business.
As a woman of faith, that season transformed my relationship with God. It required me to trust Him beyond what I could see. There were days when I had to choose faith over fear, even when the circumstances didn’t make sense. I learned that God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on my circumstances, and that sometimes He allows us to walk through difficult seasons not to break us, but to prepare us for a greater purpose.
Today, as I celebrate the release of my book, the launch of new luxury collections, speaking opportunities, and continued business growth, I don’t see these milestones simply as achievements; I see them as evidence that perseverance matters. They remind me that our greatest breakthroughs often come after our greatest battles.
If there’s one message I hope others take from my journey, it’s this: your current season does not define your future. You can experience loss, disappointment, uncertainty, and still rise. Sometimes the very place that feels like the end of your story becomes the foundation for everything God is preparing you to build. That is the heart behind my book, From the Pit to the Throne, and it is the legacy I hope to leave through Flowers by Alexes.
Fancy: Your new book, From the Pit to the Throne, shares your personal testimony. What inspired you to tell your story now, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?
Alexes Haggins: For me, writing From the Pit to the Throne wasn’t just about telling my story. It was about honoring God’s faithfulness and creating a roadmap of hope for others. For years, I carried experiences that included childhood trauma, broken relationships, loss, financial hardship, rebuilding my business, and moments where I questioned how I would make it through. I realized that if I stayed silent, I would also be withholding the lessons, healing, and hope that came from those experiences.
The timing felt right because I had reached a place where my pain no longer defined me it had refined me. I wasn’t writing from an open wound; I was writing from a place of healing and reflection. I wanted readers to see that our greatest struggles don’t have to become our identity. Instead, they can become the foundation for our purpose.
The title, From the Pit to the Throne, is symbolic of that journey. We all experience “pit” moments times of disappointment, grief, rejection, financial setbacks, or uncertainty. But I believe those moments are not the end of our story. With faith, perseverance, and the courage to keep moving forward, we can rise into the purpose God has prepared for us.
More than anything, I hope readers walk away with hope. I want someone who feels like giving up to realize that they are not alone, and that their current circumstances do not determine their future. I hope they find the courage to heal, the strength to forgive, and the confidence to pursue the dreams God has placed on their hearts.
If my story helps even one person believe that restoration is possible, that setbacks can become comebacks, and that there is purpose beyond pain, then sharing my testimony will have been worth it. My prayer is that every reader closes the book believing that no matter how deep the pit may seem, they too can rise to their own throne.
Fancy: Congratulations on launching your Luxury Collection of Preserved Forever Roses. What inspired this collection, and how does it reflect the evolution of your brand?
Alexes Haggins: Launching the Luxury Collection of Preserved Forever Roses was a natural evolution of both my creativity and the vision for Flowers by Alexes. Throughout the years, I’ve had the privilege of designing florals for weddings, corporate events, and some of life’s most meaningful celebrations. While fresh flowers are incredibly beautiful, they are also temporary. I wanted to create something that would allow people to hold onto those special moments a little longer.
The preserved rose collection was inspired by the idea that some memories deserve to last. Whether it’s celebrating love, honoring an achievement, expressing gratitude, or commemorating a milestone, I wanted to offer a gift that carries the beauty of fresh flowers while becoming a lasting keepsake.
This collection also represents the evolution of our brand. Flowers by Alexes has grown from being a traditional floral business into a luxury lifestyle brand centered on creating meaningful experiences and timeless gifting. We aren’t simply selling flowers; we’re helping people celebrate life’s most important moments with elegance, intention, and exceptional quality.
The collection launched alongside my book, From the Pit to the Throne, which was intentional. Both represent legacy. My book preserves my story and testimony for future generations, while the preserved rose boxes symbolize beauty that endures over time. Together, they reflect my belief that the things we build with purpose can have a lasting impact.
As our brand continues to grow, I envision the Luxury Collection becoming more than a signature product. I see it as a representation of where Flowers by Alexes is headed: a brand known for luxury, innovation, thoughtful gifting, and creating unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression long after the moment has passed.
Fancy: Community played a significant role in helping you through one of your toughest seasons. How has that experience changed the way you think about asking for help, building relationships, and serving others?
Alexes Haggins: One of the greatest lessons I learned is that we were never meant to do life or business alone. As entrepreneurs, we often feel like we have to carry every burden ourselves. I certainly did. For a long time, I believed that asking for help was a sign of weakness. But during one of the most difficult seasons of my life, I discovered that it was actually a sign of wisdom and courage.
When my flower shop faced uncertainty, my community showed up in ways I will never forget. Customers chose to shop with intention, organizations reached out with opportunities, friends offered encouragement, and complete strangers became advocates for my business. Their support reminded me that relationships are one of the most valuable assets we can build—not because of what people can do for us, but because genuine connection creates a community that celebrates with you, stands beside you during challenges, and believes in your vision even when you’re struggling to see it yourself.
That experience also deepened my faith. It reminded me that God often answers our prayers through people. Sometimes we’re looking for a miracle, and He sends a relationship. Sometimes we’re praying for provision, and He opens a door through someone’s generosity, encouragement, or willingness to invest in us. It taught me to be more open to receiving support with gratitude instead of guilt.
Because of what I experienced, I lead my business differently today. Serving others is no longer just something we do through flowers; it’s part of our purpose. Whether it’s providing space for small businesses to showcase their products, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, hosting community events, speaking to organizations, or creating opportunities for collaboration, I want Flowers by Alexes to be known as a business that pours back into the very community that poured into me.
One of my favorite quotes is, “To whom much is given, much is required.” I believe I’ve been entrusted not only with a business, but with a responsibility to use my platform to uplift others. If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that success becomes far more meaningful when you use it to create opportunities, inspire hope, and help someone else rise. That’s the legacy I hope to leave: one rooted in service, faith, and the belief that we all grow stronger when we grow together.
Fancy: Many women entrepreneurs are quietly navigating financial challenges or moments when they feel like giving up. What would you say to the woman who is in her own ‘pit’ and struggling to believe there’s a way forward?
Alexes Haggins: I’ve experienced seasons where I questioned whether I could keep going. I’ve faced financial uncertainty, business setbacks, and moments when I wondered if all of my hard work would be enough. Those moments are real, and they can feel incredibly isolating. But I’ve learned that difficult seasons don’t define you; they develop you.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to separate your identity from your circumstances. A slow season doesn’t mean you’re a failure. A setback doesn’t mean your dream is over. Sometimes what feels like a closed door is actually an opportunity to rethink your strategy, strengthen your foundation, and grow into the leader your vision requires.
I would also encourage women not to suffer in silence. Build relationships. Find mentors. Connect with other entrepreneurs. Ask questions. Seek wise counsel. There is strength in community, and sometimes the breakthrough you’re praying for comes through a conversation, a partnership, or someone who believes in your vision when you need it most.
For me, my faith became my anchor. There were days when I had to choose hope over fear and trust God even when I couldn’t see the outcome. Faith didn’t remove every challenge, but it gave me the strength to keep taking the next step. Looking back, I can honestly say that every obstacle taught me something I needed to know to become a better leader, business owner, and person.
So my message to every woman is this: don’t quit in the middle of your story. Give yourself permission to rest if you need to, to pivot if necessary, and to ask for help when the journey feels heavy, but don’t give up on the dream that was placed in your heart.
If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that resilience isn’t about never falling. It’s about choosing to rise every time you do. Sometimes your greatest breakthrough is waiting on the other side of the season that almost convinced you to quit. Keep believing, keep building, and keep moving forward. Your story isn’t over yet.
Fancy: What’s next for Alexes Haggins? Whether in business, ministry, or personal growth, what legacy are you working to build, and how can our readers support your journey?
Alexes Haggins: I believe I’m just getting started. While Flowers by Alexes will always be at the heart of what I do, my vision has grown far beyond creating beautiful floral arrangements. I’m building a legacy that demonstrates what’s possible when faith, perseverance, and purpose come together.
In business, my goal is to continue expanding Flowers by Alexes into a nationally recognized luxury lifestyle brand. I envision growing our corporate floral division, expanding our Luxury Collection of Preserved Forever Roses, creating more educational workshops, and opening additional opportunities that allow us to serve clients with excellence while creating jobs and empowering other entrepreneurs.
Through my book, From the Pit to the Throne, I’ve also discovered a passion for speaking. I hope to continue sharing my testimony with organizations, conferences, churches, schools, and businesses, encouraging others to overcome adversity, embrace entrepreneurship, and recognize that their greatest setbacks can become the foundation for their greatest purpose.
Spiritually, my prayer is that my life reflects God’s faithfulness more than my own accomplishments. I want people to see that success isn’t just measured by awards, revenue, or recognition, but by the lives we impact, the people we serve, and the legacy we leave behind. My desire is to steward every opportunity God entrusts to me with humility, excellence, and integrity.
When people hear the name Alexes Haggins years from now, I don’t want them to simply think of flowers. I want them to think of someone who created opportunities for others, strengthened her community, inspired people to dream bigger, and reminded them that no matter how deep the pit may seem, there is always hope for restoration.
Readers can support my journey in many ways. They can read and share From the Pit to the Throne, support Flowers by Alexes for their floral and gifting needs, invite me to speak to their organization or community, and continue sharing our story with others. Most importantly, I ask
for their prayers that I remain faithful to the purpose God has given me and continue using every platform He provides to encourage, uplift, and serve others.
At the end of the day, my greatest hope is that the legacy I leave isn’t defined by what I built for myself, but by what I helped build in others. If my story gives someone the courage to keep going, to believe again, or to pursue the purpose God placed on their life, then I know I’ve fulfilled the calling that matters most.
Connect with Alexes:
www.IAMALEXES.com
Photography: JPix Studio
