When you think about Valentine’s Day, flowers and chocolates often come to mind. But for Victoria Mekas, it’s much more than that. When she’s not fulfilling her duties as landlord to her Cherryland member renters, you can find her elbow deep in a beautiful bouquet — the passion that started it all.

“I knew in high school I wanted to be a florist,” Mekas explained. Her calling quickly grew from Michigan State University student to taking the leap and starting her own business in 2001. At 21 years old, she built a business plan, presented it to the bank, and opened her very own flower shop in Beulah. Fast-forward 20 years and now she owns and operates a series of unique businesses in Benzonia. What started as just one little store now includes a handcrafted ice cream shop, a year-round Christmas store, and, of course—Victoria’s Floral and Design.

While wedding season is busy and Mother’s Day brings in its fair share of business—it’s Valentine’s Day that creates a one-of-a-kind rush they only see once a year. Mekas says, “It’s hard to explain it, you kind of have to go through it. It’s just crazy, but it’s awesome too.”

Recalling her first Valentine’s Day in her new business, she explained, “When I first started in Beulah, it was just me. I had no idea what it was going to be like. So, I spent the night in my shop because the orders just kept coming in.” Chuckling, Mekas continued, “I remember sleeping in front of the cooler, it was blowing out hot air, feeling like I’m never going to get this done, I’m never going to get this done.”

Of course, she did get it done, and learned some lessons along the way.

Now, with herself and another designer or two, Victoria’s Floral and Design orders upward of 2,000 roses, 1,500 carnations, and countless buckets of blooms to churn out floral arrangements in the name of love. In order to make sure your flowers are fresh, they arrive at the shop just five days before the holiday. From there, it’s nonstop bouquet building.

When it comes to placing your order, Victoria has some important tips:

Number 1: Order early—especially if you’re looking for something other than roses. “I’ve even run out of roses before, so it’s important to order early no matter what,” explained Mekas.

Number 2: Don’t forget the card! Take the time to make it personal. Mekas says, “The card is so important, because people save those. Instead of just saying ‘Love, Jared,’—something a little extra on the card goes a long way. Don’t skimp on that, just write something meaningful.”

And number 3: You can always add extras! Victoria’s shop offers all sorts of add-ons, from balloons to chocolates. Even knowing your sweetheart’s favorite color can add a personal touch in the form of the bow Mekas and her team adorns their arrangement with.

Remember, when you support local businesses for your Valentine’s Day shopping, you’re spreading the love to your community in addition to that special someone.

Plan early, make it personal, and shop local—the perfect recipe for a sweet Valentine’s Day!