For Young Entrepreneur, Biz Blooms

Starting your own business can be hard when you're 19. Noah Sawyer had to start his floral business during the middle of a pandemic, although he didn't know that's what he would be doing when he opened The Watering Can in Edenton earlier this year.

Photos Courtesy Noah Sawyer

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FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR, BIZ BLOOMS DURING PANDEMIC

Chowan County native opens business right before stay-at-home order implemented

By Anna Goodwin McCarthy Correspondent

Noah Sawyer did not know what to expect when he decided to open his first storefront in the middle of a pandemic.

The 19-year-old first started his floral business, The Watering Can, earlier this year. Sawyer was in college and on the path to becoming a nurse when he realized his true dream would be to open his own business. “I wanted to open a business,” he said. “This is what I wanted to do with my life.” Sawyer said he grew up watching his grandmother, who was a floral designer when she was younger, arrange flowers. S h o w n i s a n a r r a n g e m e n t “My grandmother had an influence on me,” said Sawyer. “She was my best friend, and I always looked up to her.” Sawyer previously worked at Halseys Lawn & Garden in Edenton where he learned about plants, flowers and landscaping, but he did not have any professional experience with floral design. o f r o s e s N o a h S a w y e r s e l l s a t T h e W a t e r i n g C a n . Having never taken a floral design class, Sawyer soon discovered he had a natural talent for arranging blooms in an array of splendid styles and variations. Opening in January, Sawyer’s mother, GiGi Charlebois, let him operate his business out of her Edenton Coffee House Bakery & Cafe on 302 South Broad Street. “Everything started to fall into place,” Sawyer said. Along with his mother’s guidance and the assistance of an accountant, the 19-year-old learned how to start and maintain a business. Before long, Sawyer decided it was time to open his own storefront. “It was a big undertaking,” said Sawyer. Albemarle Magazine Summer 2020

Sawyer said he contacted other businesses in Edenton to gain advice about opening his own storefront.

Opening his business on 203 South Broad Street in Edenton in March, Sawyer was worried about how it would fare during the middle of a pandemic.

“None of us knew what to expect,” said Sawyer. “I began to get a little worried.”

Sawyer relied primarily on social media and word of mouth to spread the news of his business opening.

Soon he was making arrangements for funerals, baby showers, birthdays and anniversaries.

Sawyer said he took all the necessary precautions during the pandemic to make sure everything was safe for his customers. Wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, Sawyer offered curbside pickup and no touch delivery.

Ringing the doorbell, he would wait for his customers to be in view and step back and leave the arrangements for delighted customers.

Sawyer had steady business from his customers, but he knew the true measure of success would occur on Mother’s Day.

A holiday where florists are usually very busy, Sawyer did not have any idea if it would be the same in the midst of COVID-19.

“Mother’s Day came, and blew everything out of the water,” said Sawyer.

The Watering Can was extremely busy with orders from customers trying to do something special for their mother with a beautiful arrangement of flowers.

Sawyer said since Mother’s Day, he has been very busy and business hasn't slowed down.

“I never thought it would take off and go as good as it has gone,” he said. “We have been so blessed.”

Sawyer describes his floral design as elegant. Utilizing greenery like the Bells-of-Ireland, he mixes in flowers like Gerbera daisies, roses, peonies and sunflowers. A High and Magic yellow rose is a type of bloom Sawyer uses that is yellow with orange-reddish tones fading to the top.

“I don’t want to be cookie-cutter,” said Sawyer.

He spends most of his time at his new business working on his floral designs.

“I feel like I am here all the time,” said Sawyer. “I am very happy.”

He offers additional goodies such as Bertie County peanuts and packaged teas. An assortment of potted plants is also available for customers looking for an alternative gift idea.

Sawyer is looking forward to the upcoming holiday season. With natural elements like pine cones and greenery, and a unique collection of roses, Sawyer is anticipating a joyful Christmas season.

Born in Chowan County, Sawyer was excited to start his own business on Broad Street where he grew up frequenting Edenton businesses.

“I can’t believe this is my reality,” said Sawyer of his dream that has come true.

For more information about The Watering Can, visit its Facebook page or call or text 252-484-0916.

W.E. NixoN WEldiNg & HardWarE, iNC.

Downtown Elizabeth City's street-lit benches and pathways give Clyndell Godfrey the low-light photography challenge he welcomes. 3036 Rocky Hock Rd., Edenton 221-4348/221-8343 When weddings and anniversaries last beyond sunset, he's prepared to continue the photo shoot. Photo courtesy Kesha Williams

Albemarle Magazine Summer 2020

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