“Bloom where you are planted” is an old saying that rings especially true in the life of florist Miriam Cordero. Born and raised in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, she came to the United States almost 24 years ago in search of a better life for herself and her young son. As she put down new roots as an adult, her childhood sparked a dream of working with flowers as a career. “Some of my favorite memories are in the garden with my mother or grandmother. Citrus trees, mandarin and orange, grew in my grandmother’s town. They bloom and have a beautiful smell in the night. I know the textures of flowers, the colors, the smell — everything,” she says.
Her love and knowledge of flowers led her first to open the cutest vintage flower truck, featuring a popular “stem bar” for patrons to make their own bouquets. In 2022, she made the leap to open a brick-and-mortar location in Crosstown Concourse, Mili’s Flowers & Gifts. Meet the charming FACE of Memphis behind the flowers, Miriam Cordero!
Please welcome this week’s FACE of Memphis, Miriam Cordero. Image: Kim Thomas with KP Fusion
Tell us a little about how your path led you to open a floral and gift shop.
Before I started the flower truck, I worked in retail. I sold Hispanic products to food and beverage stores in Memphis, representing two companies. When I started Mili’s Flower Truck in 2019, there was an overlap; I was doing two things.
What made us take the step to open a shop was the Memphis weather! I loved being outdoors with the truck and wish I could do it every day, but I can’t. It is always too windy, too cold, or too hot. The flowers don’t like any of that. I don’t like it either.
I remember I was once outside, and it was below 35 degrees. The flowers began to freeze, so I couldn’t work that day. To have steady work, I needed a shop.
What is the story behind the name “Mili’s Flowers and Gifts?”
Mili is my nickname from when I was a little girl. The name is a way to honor the beautiful memories of my childhood. I think flowers give you really good memories. You can give flowers for any occasion. From birth to death, flowers are a part of life.
Flowers play a memorable role in our lives — from birth to death. Image: Kim Thomas with KP Fusion
What do you love most about working with flowers?
The feeling that flowers give to others. If customers are going to give flowers to others or if they are buying for themselves, there’s a feeling they want. They may want to cheer someone up, say “I love you,” or welcome people to their home. Flowers offer a connection.
Why did you want to offer gifts in your shop as well as flowers?
I wanted to offer a little bit of my culture. Mexico is so colorful and so full of art. Most of the items I sell are artesanías (art crafts) from Mexico. Lately, I’ve added locally-made artisan products, too. We have a self-care line of bath and body products that are healthy and organic. I have a friend who makes candles and another that makes stickers — I sell both at my store. I try to support local makers. I want to help the community the same way the community helped me.
I have a friend with a flower farm, so I try to source flowers locally as much as possible, too.
At Mili’s Flowers & Gifts, you can find everything from bath and body products to candles, chocolates, and more. Image: Kim Thomas with KP Fusion
What do you recommend if someone needs a gift idea for Valentine’s Day?
Flowers, chocolates, and self-care items are perfect! You can’t go wrong with a dozen red roses. We can arrange them in a traditional style or something more modern. We have organic chocolates along with the artisanal candles and the bath products I mentioned. For a fun Galentine’s Day treat, we have accessories like big heart-shaped earrings, perfect if you want to buy something for a friend. Everything is handmade and very colorful.
If you want something more long-lasting, I’d suggest beautiful plants, arranged specially in a basket or box.
Along with floral bouquets, Miriam sells artisan crafts, including everything in this fun display for Valentine’s Day. Image: Miriam Cordero
What sets Mili’s Flowers & Gifts apart?
I choose our unique gifts personally, and I like to pick things you can’t find anywhere else, like our Milagros. These are small, heart-shaped sculptures made of wood or metal that represent love, healing, and gratitude. Milagros means “miracles” in Spanish.
Just like our flower truck, Mili’s has a flower bar so customers can choose their own stems to make a bouquet. We offer seasonal and dried flowers — you can mix and match them to come up with something special.
“Just like our flower truck, Mili’s has a flower bar so customers can choose their own stems to make a bouquet,” says Miriam. Image: Karen Kalver
What are your hopes and plans for the future of Mili’s?
Right now, we are very happy. We signed a three-year lease and are in our first year. Our immediate goal is to put our flower truck back out and let people know they can rent it for private events.
Where can we find you when you aren’t working?
I love to spend time with my family; I have a husband, a stepson, a son, and a daughter-in-law. We love to go out to eat and try new places. My husband and I like to escape to the beach when we can.
I try to spend at least one day at home during the week and do regular things — cooking, resting, and making time for myself.
“We’d like to grow the business and have regular clients. We want to get the word out and let the community know we are here,” says Miriam. Image: Lorena Yael
What is your best piece of advice?
Have a dream. Make a plan. Stick with it but take time to reflect on how well it is working.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, what are three things you can’t live without?
Flowers, my cat Frida, and time for myself (massages, long baths, and time in nature!).
Mili’s Flowers & Gifts is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m.
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