The Heng children, Ollie, 15, Wendel, 13, and Graham, 9, enjoy all aspects of their family business, Jolly Ollie’s Flower & Produce Stand. From July to October, flower bouquets are available for pickup from their stands in Afton and Woodbury. Photo: Jolly Ollie’s Flower & Produce Stand
A roadside flower stand is a family affair.
Like many young entrepreneurs, 15-year-old Oliver “Ollie” Heng got his first taste for business running a lemonade stand in fourth grade. But not long after starting, the Afton native wasn’t content to limit himself to selling just lemonade. Soon, Ollie tapped his father’s prolific flower garden to add a line of colorful bouquets to his burgeoning business, Jolly Ollie’s Flower & Produce Stand. Today, Ollie has two flower stands and five years of sales under his belt. “It’s so much fun,” Ollie says. “I love this business.”
From July through October, Mason jars bursting with beautiful blooms beckon passersby to stop and take a closer look. Ollie operates two stands, one near his home at the corner of 50th Street and Pheasant Court in Afton and a second near his grandparents’, Duane and Mary Jane Heng, home in Woodbury on Dale Road near Woodbury Drive. The business has become a family affair, and mom, Kari Kull-Heng, couldn’t be happier about it. “It’s a way for our family to connect, get off our screens and get some sun,” she says.
Kari Kull-Heng and Dave Heng and their sons, Ollie, Wendel and Graham, enjoy spending time together as a family while working on their business, Jolly Ollie’s Flower & Produce Stand. Photo: Chris Emeott
Each May, dad, Dave Heng, plants flowers on a half-acre of land at their house and another quarter of an acre of land at Duane and Mary Jane’s home in Woodbury. When the flowers begin to bloom in July, the family, including Ollie’s younger brothers, Wendel, 13, and Graham, 9, trek out to the garden each morning to snip flowers and make the arrangements. Duane and Mary Jane play a role in cutting the flowers too.
Each day of the week, about 10 jars are put out at each stand. On the weekends, they put out more, with up to 100 jars (as well as the occasional excess of garden produce) lining the stand during the height of the growing season. The jars include small and large arrangements, and those who return the jars to the stand can take $1 off a future purchase. It’s all done on the honor system with customers placing cash in the cash box or sending money via Venmo.
Ollie says he’s saving up his portion of the proceeds for college. “I’ve learned it’s better to save earlier,” he says. The family has also earmarked profits to take a ski trip to Park City, Utah. “We could raise prices and make more money, but it’s not about that,” Kari says. “We want to provide happiness. That’s the goal.”
Photo: Jolly Ollie’s Flower & Produce Stand
This summer, plenty of happiness is in store as they gear up for their sixth year of operations. Dave has purchased more than 2,200 Mason jars and 15,000 snapdragon, sunflower and zinnia seeds to plant alongside some 400 dahlia tubers. Kari is also pushing for him to add an area to grow some greenery to elevate their bouquets. “We’re definitely looking to expand and add more,” she says. Last year, Jolly Ollie’s provided flowers for their first wedding and made arrangements for a local soup kitchen. “It’s neat to see that people have responded to this,” Dave says. Ollie adds, “I like having people know about the business.”
And he’s only getting started. Ollie has big plans to follow in his parents’ footsteps in the business world. He’s already signed up for two business classes in high school and intends to study business in college. “Ollie has a knack for business,” Kari says. “He has learned so much already.”
Jolly Ollie’s Flower & Produce Stand
Instagram: @jollyolliesflowers
