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McKenzie City Florist Honored With Rising Star Award

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McKENZIE (March 25) — In 2018, David and Michele Jarrett put their entrepreneurial spirit in high gear as they opened McKenzie City Florist & More. Fast forward four years, the Jarretts are celebrating their successful endeavors and were recently presented the Rising Star Award from the Regional Tennessee Small Business Development Center. The Jarretts were joined by family members, city officials as Landy Fuqua, director of the TSBDC at the UT Martin REED Center, made the presentation.
In celebration of National SBDC Day, Fuqua explained the significance of the award, “The Rising Star Award is given annually to a business that best exemplifies not only business success, but an outstanding working relationship with our center and the utilization of the services it provides. In presenting the award, we recognize the entrepreneurial spirit of the business owners and their tenacity in growing and developing their business, while engaging the community to create a positive economic impact in the region. It is with great pleasure, we are presenting David and Michele Jarrett, owners of McKenzie City Florist & More, LLC, with the 2020 SBDC Rising Star Award.”

On receiving the award, McKenzie City Florist published the following comment, “We are so honored to accept the 2020 Rising Star Award from the Small Business Development Center. This shop has been a vision brought to life by our owners, David and Michele. They have put their heart and soul into building up this business along with the help of their staff and family. Huge thank you to everyone who believed in us and supported us on this journey. Our hearts are humbled and full of gratitude.”
After 30 years of full-time service in the Tennessee National Guard and retiring with the rank of master sergeant, David began looking for another outlet. This led the Jarrett family to meet with TSBC at the REED Center. David and Michele worked for months building a viable business plan and model. Throughout the planning stages, Director Fuqua learned David has “tenacity” but also the heart of a warrior. She asked why a retired military man would want to open a floral/boutique; David’s answer was simple, “My wife loves flowers,” which showed his true love for Michele.
Since early 2020, David has battled against a brain tumor. There have been many highs and lows in his fight. While Michele and David have been away from their business for treatments and surgeries their three children, Morgan, Zach and Evan have worked in their parents’ stead. The Jarretts’ family business is a true representation of David’s warrior spirit and heart but Michele’s too. The Banner Staff congratulates them on their success and hopes for many more years to come.