Russell Kentucky is in Full Bloom
West End Floral & Gifts Now Open
Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
A blossoming entrepreneur is making headlines in downtown Russell. Raegan Slone, a 19-year-old with a green thumb and a flair for floral artistry, is taking the world by storm. Slone is the proud owner of a charming little floral and gift shop with a welcoming vibe from the second you walk through its doors. West End Floral & Gifts, which is conveniently located at 306 Ferry Street, has quickly become a local favorite for customers all across the Tri-State. “I’ve always had a passion for anything and everything to do with flowers ever since I was a very young girl. I was about ten years old when I realized that this was going to be more than just a hobby for me,” shared Slone.
Despite her young age, Slone’s passion for flowers is evident in every petal she carefully selects and arranges into stunning works of art. Slone’s artistic ability and vision is unmatched and continues to blossom right before your eyes with each and every arrangement she makes. Since its grand opening in mid-January, West End Floral & Gifts has become a hub for unique and personalized floral creations, catering to the diverse tastes of the community. In addition to stunning floral arrangements, you can find all sorts of other unique and trendy gifts within the shop.
You might be thinking, “Isn’t there a business in downtown Russell that already has the name West End?” You would be correct. West End Jeweler is located diagonally across the street from West End Floral & Gifts and is owned by Slone’s mother Jackie Slone. “When I found out that I was going to have my own business on the same street as my mom’s business, I was overwhelmed with excitement. I have always looked up to my mom, and she is always there for me with anything I might need. I want to be just like my mom so having the opportunity to do what I love and have my store on the same street as my mom’s is just a dream come true,” an emotional Slone remarked.
Everyone has different paths in life to choose from and for some that path may look like going to college right out of high school. For others that path may lead to your dream career. “It’s OK if you decide not to go the college path. You don’t have to go to college to be successful, and that is something that I just recently learned,” commented Slone.
Slone is certainly living proof of that and has already seen great success at such a young age with a newly opened business. “Raegan is such a strong-willed young woman, and she grew up having the desire to not work under somebody else. She comes from a long line of strong-willed women. There is nothing wrong with working for somebody else, but when you own your own business and have yourself to answer to, you get to determine your own worth,” shared Raegan’s mother, Jackie Slone.
When you purchase an arrangement from West End, you are guaranteed to walk away with an arrangement that is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but you are walking away with an arrangement that was made with love. “I absolutely love being able to turn people's floral requests into a reality. There is just something so special about being able to play a part in someone’s special day or occasion,” noted Slone.
Whether it's a wedding, anniversary, or a simple gesture of love, West End Floral & Gifts is the go-to destination for those seeking a touch of natural beauty. “We are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can either call the shop at 606.833.0728 or text me at 606.254.6747 for all of your floral needs or as I like to call them… floral emergencies,” explained Slone.
West End Floral & Gifts stands not just as a flower shop but as a testament to the power of youthful determination and creativity. Russell, Kentucky, is indeed in full bloom, thanks to the vibrant energy and artistic vision of this 19-year-old florist extraordinaire.
