Kelly Tulloss picks flowers from around the world for her customers.
“Flowers change with the seasons and brighten our lives,” said Sutcliffe Floral and Floral Arts of Flagstaff owner Kelly Tulloss, who procures her flowers from around the world. “I love being surrounded by beautiful flowers and it is so rewarding to create something beautiful for Flagstaff families through the circles of life.”
Tulloss is quick to point out the origin of her flowers. “We have the most amazing wholesalers who buy flowers weekly and biweekly on a global scale. We receive tulips and cymbidium orchids grown in Holland; roses, garden roses and dahlias from Ecuador; ranunculas and scabiosa from Chile; hydrangea from Columbia; and King, Queen, and Pink Ice Protea from South Africa. We also buy organic flowers from Whipstone Farms in Chino Valley weekly when in season.”
Acquiring Sutcliffe Floral in 2005, the business was established decades before Tulloss considered the purchase. “I believe it is one of Flagstaff’s oldest businesses,” said Tullous. “It’s been here since 1944.”
Born in Holbrook, Tulloss has lived in Flagstaff most of her life. “My family moved to Flagstaff when I was a baby. I attended Coconino High School and studied business and Spanish at Northern Arizona University (NAU). I really enjoyed Spanish, so I spent a year in Cuernavaca, Mexico, living with a family as part of an immersion program. It was an amazing experience.”
Tulloss moved to Phoenix to study international business, then returned to Flagstaff. She met her husband, Michael, president of Stilley Tulloss Design Build Group, through a mutual friend.
“The late Nate Avery introduced us,” said Tulloss. “We married in 1995 and have three children ages 22, 20 and 17.”
Before purchasing Sutcliffe Floral from a friend, Tulloss worked at the shop for a trial period of three months to make sure this was a venture she was willing to take on. “During this time, I fell in love with the business. I also found out I was pregnant,” she said, noting that they had two children in preschool at the time.
In 2018, Tulloss bought the nearby Floral Arts of Flagstaff shop and after extensive remodeling, asked Manager Vanessa Hemmer to oversee it.
“I started working at Sutcliffe Floral in 2016 where I learned the basic elements of design, especially wedding work,” said Hemmer. “In five short years we have made this sleepy little flower shop into a thriving business that people love to visit. Our wedding business has really grown and we’re thankful to all our brides. Kelly is the most positive, kind and caring person I know, and I’ve learned so much from her. She has allowed me to grow as a businesswoman and to foster my artistic nature.”
Hemmer’s staff includes Assistant Manager JoAnn Bartell, floral designer Krystina Nunez and delivery driver Mike Goodell.
“From the moment Vanessa sees you walk through the door at Floral Arts of Flagstaff, you are greeted like a ray of sunshine, and you can tell she is looking forward to helping you find something special for the person you are shopping for,” said Realty Executives of Flagstaff Owner Debra McCormick.
Last year, Floral Arts arranged flowers for more than 50 weddings and, unlike most businesses, the pandemic was actually a busy season for both stores.
“During COVID, a lot of people were away from their families, so sending flowers to their loved ones brought joy,” said Tulloss. “That’s what we thrive on, we love making people happy and they are always so thankful.”
Along with flowers and plants, both Sutcliffe Floral and Floral Arts of Flagstaff offer specialty gift items and even chocolates. “We sell a really cute line of stuffed animals, which includes dinosaurs, hippos and giraffes. We also stock greeting cards, lotions, candles and a special line of spices, lip balm and honey by Dr. Hanna’s Honey,” said Tulloss.
Individually themed baskets of flowers and plants are also popular. “We personally customize our baskets. NAU parents often call for ‘get well’ baskets that we stock with cough drops, chicken noodle soup, a magazine and other wellness fillers. Our Garden Basket is really popular and consists of four-inch plants.”
Though the shops get busy during holidays, Tulloss finds time to hike, ski, hunt and travel with her family. “It’s a challenge to get everyone together now that we have two children in college and a daughter in high school, but we try.” FBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
Sutcliffe Floral and Flagstaff Floral Arts ship all around the country and can be contacted at 928-774-0670 or 928-779-0319 and online at: www.floralartsltd.com.
Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Arizona native Kelly Tulloss left Flagstaff to study international business. She worked at Sutcliffe Floral for three months before taking on the business.
