We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Hunter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting Journee’s Roses was deeply personal and purposeful. It all began with the birth of my daughter, Journee, and my desire to create a lasting legacy for her. I wanted to build something meaningful that not only reflected love and beauty but also showed her firsthand what it means to be a business owner.
I want Journee to grow up seeing what her mom does for a living—how hard work, creativity, and passion can shape not just our family’s future, but also positively impact the lives of others. Through this journey, she’ll witness the power of entrepreneurship, the importance of resilience, and how we can turn dreams into reality with dedication and faith.
I want Journee to own the building she works in and this mentality starts with me!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
About Journee’s Roses

Journee’s Roses is more than just a floral gift business—we are the only preserved rose floral gift business in Compton, and we are committed to redefining the way people give flowers. What sets us apart is not just our luxury, long-lasting roses, but also our vision for impact. We see an untapped opportunity in school fundraising, where preserved roses can elevate the traditional fundraising model and offer something fresh, unique, and memorable. It hasn’t been done before, but we are ready to change the game and bring a new level of elegance to school fundraising. Get ready for Journee’s Roses to step into fundraising scene at a school near you.

The Journey to Today

The road to building Journee’s Roses has not been easy. Balancing life as a mom, wife, full-time employee, and entrepreneur requires focus, sacrifice, and resilience. I had to stop making excuses and get laser-focused on growing my business—not just as a side hustle, but as a bridge to transition into full-time entrepreneurship.

Growth was slowed after purchasing our home since we have been fully bootstrapping the business with our own disposable income. However, we’ve reached a tipping point—which has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone. I’ve started applying for programs that build my skills and provide the necessary grant funding to scale Journee’s Roses. This journey has tested my faith, but it has also made me stronger and more determined than ever. The motto “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed” plays in my mind all the time. The only way to get the help I need is to stand tall, hold my head high and ASK. I will accept a no but will walk away knowing I had the courage to ASK is a win for me.

Lessons Learned

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that timing is everything. It’s great to dream big, but execution matters even more. Rushing an idea before it’s ready can set you back, but properly planning and executing at the right time leads to long-term success. I’ve had to remind myself that a delayed dream is not a dead dream—sometimes, the waiting period is the preparation period. I’ve learned to trust the process and have faith that what’s meant for me will happen when the time is right.

Our Brand, Our Story

Journee’s Roses is built on love—love for self, love for family, and love for community. We aren’t just selling roses; we are creating meaningful connections through our products and showing up for our community in ways that matter.

I am determined to show up in the world in a way that makes me proud when I look in the mirror. My goal is to see Journee’s Roses on shelves in places that align with my vision, and once I get my foot in the door, I will make sure someone is right behind me. As I climb this never-ending ladder of success, I will share the knowledge I gain so that others can climb too.

Beyond selling roses, we will honor our seniors with roses on their birthdays, we will support our community, and we will make an impact. Journee’s Roses is a movement—helping people express love, appreciation, and celebration in a way that lasts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend visited for a week, we’d dive into the best food, culture, and vibes Compton and LA have to offer—and, of course, grab lemonade from PuckerUp Lemonade in Compton daily! We’d kick things off with BBQ from Kitchen’s Corner, soul food from Annie’s Soul Delicious, and noodles from SendingNoods food truck, then catch a game and drinks at COSM or the Intuit Dome. We’d take a morning walk at Bruce’s Beach, stop by my parents’ house for some home cooking, and spend a day at Black on the Block, Black Market Flea or the Connection Market, for shopping and good times, supporting amazing Black-owned businesses. We’d also make a stop at the new Food Ave food truck park in Compton to check out the latest local eats. To unwind, we’d relax at Wi Spa or Olympic Spa for some much-needed self-care.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is no ‘I’ in entrepreneur, and I have been incredibly blessed with an amazing support system that has helped me along this journey. First and foremost, I want to recognize my husband, Sheldon, for being my rock—loading and unloading the car, setting up the vendor tent, doing the heavy lifting, and taking care of our daughter while I spend countless nights on my laptop and time away at vending events. I call him my Trusty Steed.

To my mom, Kathy, and her best friend, Gwen—my dedicated volunteer workers who help assemble products, make bows, apply labels, and even babysit Journee while we’re out at events—your love and support mean everything.

To my friends and community who have purchased from Journee’s Roses, shared my social media posts, helped vend at events, and cheered me on from the sidelines—I see you, and I appreciate you.

A huge thank you to the Los Angeles Urban League, Intuit IDEAS, Global Society of Female Entrepreneurs (GSFE), Frempreneurs, and Business Accountability Group (B.A.G.) for their unwavering support, encouragement, and inspiration. And lastly, I want to recognize my high school mentor, Anita Kemp, from Santa Monica High School who introduced me to an entrepreneurship program that opened my eyes to the possibility of business ownership as an alternative route to success.

I am an entrepreneur because of the love, encouragement, and support of so many people, and I am beyond grateful for each and every one of them!

Website: https://journeesroses.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeesroses?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Image Credits
Megan Kelley
CEO, Brand Flour
310.901.2082| megan@brandflour.com

brandflour.com

Los Angeles, Ca

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.