Sarai Variety Flower Shop named SBA 2024 Woman-Owned Business of the Year
Keith Dmochowski, Reading Eagle, Pa.
5 min read
Officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration recently visited Sarai Variety Flower Shop in Reading, Berks County to honor its owner with the Eastern Pennsylvania Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year Award for 2024.
John Fleming, SBA Mid-Atlantic regional administrator, and Steve Dixel, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania district director, toured the shop at 12 N. 9th Street on Monday, May 20, and presented the award to owner Lourdes Peralta.
The Sarai Variety Flower Shop at 12 N. Ninth St., was named the Eastern Pennsylvania 2024 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. Reading Mayor Eddie Moran reads a proclamation honoring Lourdes Peralta on her SBA award. (BILL UHRICH – MEDIANEWS GROUP)
The Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year Award winner is selected from among nominees located across the 40 counties of eastern Pennsylvania. In April, Peralta and Sarai Variety Flower Shop was named as one of seven 2024 Small Business Week Award winners for the Eastern Pennsylvania District Office — and one of three businesses named from the tri-county area.
“I want to thank the Small Business Administration for this prestigious award,” Peralta said in a statement. “Your recognition means the world to me and everyone involved in Sarai Variety Flower Shop. It is a validation of the hard work, dedication and passion that we pour into the business every single day.”
An immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Peralta opened Reading’s first Latina-owned flower shop in 2015 after spending 20 years as a floral designer in New York.
Sarai Variety Flower Shop offers custom floral arrangements, event decorations, comprehensive floral subscriptions and gift services, same-day delivery and personalized consultations, according to its website, and plans to add a dedicated creator space for photo and video shoots.
The shop also donates centerpieces, party items, and flower arrangements to many local organizations’ fundraising events, according to the SBA.
The Sarai Variety Flower Shop at 12 N. Ninth St. in Reading, was named the Eastern Pennsylvania 2024 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Administration. (BILL UHRICH – MEDIANEWS GROUP)
Peralta’s efforts have been assisted by SBA microloan financing through Community First Fund, and she completed several workshops through Kutztown University’s Small Business Development Center, which is funded in part by the SBA.
The SBA’s emergency capital programs also aided the shop during the pandemic, including the Paycheck Protection Program and a COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
“It’s a privilege to recognize the achievements of leading Latina woman-owned Pennsylvania small businesses like Sarai Variety Flower Shop,” said Dixel. “Lourdes overcame many challenges to make her entrepreneurial dream a reality, including being an immigrant with limited English skills. I’m proud of the role SBA’s microloans played in helping to start and grow her business and of the COVID-19 relief programs that helped sustain her business.”
Also in attendance at the event were U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, (D-6th Dist.) and Alba Fernandez, senior vice president, Community First Fund, who nominated Saria Variety Flower Shop for the award.
“Lourdes has been a client since 2015, receiving both microloans and business advisory services. Over the years she has successfully grown her business and is now recognized as a role model for women in Reading and the Latina business community,” Fernandez said.
Community First Fund is a nonprofit community development financial institution whose mission is to create financial equity through wealth building opportunities for individuals, families, and business owners.
Peralta thanked Fernandez and Community First Fund, as well as friends, family, team members, and those who have supported the shop.
“Our journey began with a simple dream: To bring beauty and joy to people’s lives through flowers,” Peralta said. “What started as a small shop has now blossomed into a beloved business, thanks to the support of our loyal customers and the vibrant community around us.”
The Sarai Variety Flower Shop at 12 N. Ninth St. in Reading, was named the Eastern Pennsylvania 2024 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. Shop owner Lourdes Peralta shows U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan her wall of awards and articles inside her shop during an event on Monday, May 20. (BILL UHRICH – MEDIANEWS GROUP)
Peralta also had a message for other women business owners working to materialize their dreams.
“Believe in yourself, stay resilient, and never underestimate the impact you can make,” Peralta said. “Your vision, creativity and determination have the power to transform not just your lives, but the lives of those around you.”
Although she’s earned success, Peralta has no intention of slowing down — she said she’s committed to keep striving to find new ways to serve the community.
“This award is not just a milestone, it is a motivation to do even better,” Peralta said.
Peralta is a member of the Dominican Association of Pennsylvania, Berks Latino Chamber of Commerce, and the Women2Women program of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce.
Saria Variety Flower Shop employs three people and serves Reading and the greater Berks County area, according to the SBA.
During National Small Business Week — April 28-May 4 this year — the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes and awards outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from around the country. Recognition and educational events are held throughout the month of May.
The other tri-county area award winners for 2024 were: Phoenix Language Services Inc. of Whitpain Township, Montgomery County, owned by J. Nicole Martin Lawton, president and CEO — recipient of the Eastern Pennsylvania Entrepreneurial Success of the Year Award for 2024; and Super Natural & Fresh Produce, a grocery store in Reading owned by Leopoldo Sanchez — recipient of the Eastern Pennsylvania Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year Award for 2024.
