Holland mother launches mobile flower cart after experiencing loss

After experiencing a devastating loss, Jess Resheske found hope by turning her pain into a purpose. 

The Holland woman launched Blossoms of Joy, a mobile flower cart specializing in floral crowns and beautiful bouquets to brighten people’s day. The new ventures honor her daughter Joy, whom she lost when she was 19 weeks pregnant. 

“After my husband and I lost our fourth child last December, I was lost in grief, and I didn’t know if I could ever find my way out,” Resheske says. “But slowly, I started to dream about the future again. One day, I noticed someone wearing a beautiful flower crown on TV, and I immediately knew that’s what I should be doing. That night, I told my husband I wanted to start a flower business and name it after our angel Joy.”

With a background in design, Resheske has always had a passion for flowers and has been making her own bouquets for years as a personal hobby. As a busy mom to three young kids, this creative outlet allows her to unwind and feel rejuvenated. 

A reminder of joy and beauty

Seeing bouquets of flowers around her home is a simple reminder of the joy and beauty found in the little things. Resheske hopes sharing her story of loss and grief will help others know that they are not alone.

“While I had support from loved ones, I still felt very alone after I lost Joy,” Resheske says. “I would search the internet daily for stories like mine and reread the ones I found because there were so few. Loss like this needs to be talked about more to connect grieving mothers.”

At Holland Hospital’s Boven Birth Center, where Resheske would have delivered Joy, she delivered flowers to the new moms in April, on the date her daughter was supposed to be born. 

The flower crowns remind her of the halo that her angel baby, Joy, is wearing in heaven, she says.

The flower crowns are available as custom orders, and she sees the highest demand for special events, such as weddings, maternity photos and birthday parties.

Blossoms of Joy can be found at the Zeeland Farmers Market nearly every Saturday this summer. Resheske will also be setting up weekly pop-up shops, and she is available for creating flower arrangements and crowns for special occasions.

See Resheske’s flower arrangements and follow her journey on @blossomsofjoymi on Instagram and Facebook.