Today we’d like to introduce you to Annelise DuBois.
Hi Annelise, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been around gardens my whole life. My mom and grandma were both gardeners, and I used to help out at my aunt’s place in Bellingham when I was a kid. Through my twenties I worked on farms off and on and spent a couple years with a landscaping company, but I didn’t get truly obsessed until cut flowers came into the picture.
That started in 2020 after I got out of the ICU from a severe case of COVID. Everything felt overwhelming and growing flowers became a way to heal. It gave me something creative and grounding to focus on. People started stopping by to take photos or ask to buy flowers. I wasn’t trying to start a business, it just happened naturally.
The year before I started I visited a friend in Da Nang Vietnam and saw people farming in every bit of available space, from empty lots to rooftops. It was beautiful and made so much sense. Around the same time I came across Eco House Chicago, Floret, and Psalter Farm, and the idea of growing flowers in the city started to seem possible. I’m third generation Pacific Beach so I began asking older neighbors who had known my family for years if they’d be interested in having a flower farm in their yard. Some were excited by the idea, and through Instagram I also connected with generous folks who offered up growing space. At one point I was growing in six different yards and right now I’m working with four.
Selling flowers at Wildwood Flour Bakery, before they closed, was a big turning point. The people there were so kind and supportive and really helped me get my footing. That experience, and this whole project, brought me so much closer to my neighborhood and community. These days my CSA, (community supported agriculture), is what keeps everything going year after year. I’ve got a few new ideas up my sleeve and I’m just seeing where it all goes next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth road and farming don’t really go together 😂. There is always something. Bugs, weather, soil issues. Since I grow in multiple urban yards, each space comes with its own set of challenges. I’ve dealt with herbicide drift from neighbors, dogs, pickers, surprise irrigation problems, and even having to leave spaces I had poured a lot of time and love into. It can be physically and emotionally exhausting.
The business side has been a learning curve too. Figuring out how to price flowers in a way that respects the labor while still keeping things accessible is tough. There have definitely been moments where I wondered if I could keep going. But I love it too much to quit. It has taught me resilience, how to ask for help, and how to keep showing up even when it feels hard.
As you know, we’re big fans of Chez Whatever Flowers . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Chez Whatever is a small urban flower farm focused on seasonal, specialty cut flowers grown right here in San Diego. I grow in borrowed front yards, backyards, and church lots, and I design with whatever is blooming, which keeps things fresh and really tied to the seasons. I sell through a CSA, pop-ups, and to local florists. Sometimes I do event work or custom arrangements too.
What sets my business apart is that it’s hyper local and rooted in community. I’m not trying to ship nationwide. I’m trying to build relationships with neighbors, and show that beauty can come from small, shared spaces. A lot of my customers have been with me since the beginning and have watched it grow yard by yard.
I’m most proud of the connections this work has created. People recognize the flowers now or send notes about how much they needed something beautiful that week. I think flowers are powerful like that. They slow people down and make them feel something. I want the business to keep evolving in a way that feels thoughtful and true to that purpose.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Big thank you to my incredibly generous yard hosts. Shout out to Brian at Oats General, the Picos, my family, my partner Derek , my friends and neighbors, the Wildwood team, and everyone who has ever pitched in or helped out. You know who you are and I owe you all the flowers.
Huge love to the amazing flower farmers near and far. I’ve learned so much from you and I’m so grateful to be part of this community. Also big thanks to the San Diego Master Gardeners for taking me under their wing and sharing so much knowledge and encouragement.
And last but absolutely not least, thank you to my CSA members. Your support is what keeps this whole thing going and I’m forever grateful for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chezwhateverflowers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chezwhateverflowers?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Delana Delgado, Chris Center, Ella Dorio
