Cathy Zahn, owner of Flower Power in Shreveport, grew up watching her mother run her own small business. It was a time when not many women were forging into owning businesses, and it inspired Cathy to follow in her footsteps. “I managed my husband’s chiropractic clinic for 20 years and then went back to school and got a degree in English with a minor in Graphic Design. I took a floral course and got really intrigued - it was an interesting way to communicate with people to me. I had a choice to go to law school or floral school, and I chose to deliver flowers instead of subpoenas,” she said.
Flower Power has grown over the last 12 years, and the shop is filled to the brim with gifts for the home and garden, cards, balloons, vases, and of course, the freshest flowers. Flower Power has something for everyone no matter the budget.
Cathy is proud of her company’s unique flower arrangements. While they are all beautiful, they can be made for a wide variety of different styles and tastes, ranging from traditional to contemporary. The arrangements found at Flower Power boast high quality flowers and exhibit the creativity of the florists on her team.
Her favorite part of the business is helping brides prepare for that special day. “I love doing weddings! If it’s little, or big, it doesn’t matter. I just love working with my brides because they are so excited. Just knowing you are a big part of someone’s special day is great, “said. Though not every event is a happy occasion, Cathy feels honored to be a part of those days as well. “You can help people say goodbye in a meaningful way, and that’s important too,” she said. Even if you have had a spat with a loved one, Flower Power is ready for you. “We have people come in when they’re having fights, and we have our ‘I’m sorry. Please forgive me’ card in the computer ready to go,” she said.
“Every day is a new day.”
Her mentor in the floral business was Mary Dark.”I took all of her design classes and she kind of taught me the business. She took me under her wing and came and helped me the first few Valentine’s Days - because that’s a crazy day. She nurtured me along until I got my feet on the ground,” she said. For anyone thinking of opening their own business, she has some solid advice. “Be prepared to work hard and play hard, and enjoy it along the way! It goes by real fast - I have been open for almost 12 years and it has just flown by.” The floral business is a non-stop flurry of activity. “Right now we are getting ready for Prom and Mother’s Day - and several big weddings this spring and summer. It’s always pretty crazy.”
Family is also important to Cathy. “I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren, including a brand-new, 4 monthold baby boy,” she said. She and her husband live on Cross Lake. “We love to go and ride around in our party barge on the lake, and we also golf some. I’m an equestrian, and qualified three horses for Nationals and I was Zone 7 Champion for the American Horse Show Association in the past - jumping fences,” she said. Most recently, she and her husband Robert joined the Krewe of Centaur and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
When she is not helping her latest brides plan the floral arrangements dreams are made of, or spending time with her family, Cathy is an involved member of society. She is a founding member of the Caddo Bossier Cancer Foundation Guild. She is also a member of the Louisiana Florists Association, the Society of American Florists, Holiday in Dixie Cotillion Club and the Shreveport Symphony Guild.