RIVER FALLS – When Tiffany Dux opened her flower shop last February at 123 W. Cascade Ave. in River Falls, she had no idea she’d outgrow the space in two short months. She made it work until Oct. 2, when she expanded in a new location at 1674 Commerce Court.

Dux, who is from Roberts, grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. She took up floral arranging and design when she was just 16. When she was 17, she worked in a small-town craft store and began experimenting with arranging silk flowers. She gradually moved into bigger arrangements and showing at craft fairs.

When she opened her own shop last February, after years of working for other florists, she could scarcely believe her dream was coming true. She had no idea how quickly Blooms 4 Happiness would grow, and she credits one simple thing for her success.

“It’s not about charging $100 for an arrangement,” Dux said. “It’s making sure everyone can afford flowers to bring happiness.”

Blooms 4 Happiness showcases a large inventory of fresh flowers for any occasion. She also provides fresh blooms for weddings/wedding flowers, sympathy and funeral flowers, birthdays, get well, and anniversaries, as well as plants, European/dish gardens, modern and traditional flower arrangements, silk flower arrangements, dried floral arrangements, locally made gifts, gourmet fruit and gift baskets and greeting cards.

Dux is all about showcasing products from local businesses in her gift lines, including Knoke’s Chocolates from Hudson, Somerscents Candles, and quilted table runners made by her mom. She is also adept at networking, with connections to the Hudson, Prescott, New Richmond and St. Croix Central chambers, and the River Falls Business Leaders.

“I believe the company has been growing because people like our values,” Dux said. “We offer a lot of inexpensive floral arrangements and gifts.”

One such product is the Bud’s Blooms line, named for a gentleman she met while working at the Hudson Family Fresh floral department. He had come in to buy Valentine’s flowers on Feb. 11 several years ago. Two days later he came back asking for help with his wife’s funeral flowers instead. Afterward, he began ordering flowers in mason jars and dropping them off at random homes, just to brighten people’s days. Blooms 4 Happiness offers Bud’s Blooms in a canning jar for $10.

While at her former Cascade Avenue location, Dux’s husband walked in one day and could barely move throughout the shop. The counter was packed with centerpieces and arrangements. He had a narrow walkway to wiggle through. That’s when they knew it was time to move.

“One of my daughter’s friends said, just take the leap,” Dux said. “And it’s the one-year anniversary of me taking the leap. And it’s a Leap Year! I think being so involved in so many communities and the value is what we stand for, that is important to people.”

In July the Duxes began construction on the new shop. Dux was so excited that even when she threw her back out and took a trip to the ER, she kept working afterward despite doctors’ orders to rest.

Dux takes special joy in giving back to the area communities. She provided flower bouquets for Hudson Rotary’s Merry Meals program and delivered more than 300 stockings filled with treats to nursing homes in River Falls over the holidays. On Oct. 18, she took part in a nation-wide event called Petal it Forward, in which people received a free bouquet to give to a random stranger if they bought one. Dux was thrilled to go through 280 bouquets that day.
“It just comes down to that I want to be involved in the communities,” Dux said.

Last Valentine’s Day she had only been in business for a week. This year, she will participate in the River Falls Business Leaders’ Chocolate Crawl from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 10. She promises Blooms 4 Happiness won’t just be offering the traditional dozen red roses, thought she’ll have those too.

“We will do custom bouquets and will fit any budget,” she said. “We even have $5 bud vases for kids to give Mom a valentine.”

Dux encourages people to stop in and visit. She is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Visit bloomsforhappiness.com or find them on social media to learn more. The shop serves River Falls, Prescott, Hudson, Roberts, Hammond, Ellsworth, Beldenville, Spring Valley and Baldwin.