40 Under 40: Melody Anguiano

Desert Rose started as a flower and gift shop, then grew to a boutique and eventually a cafe, all the work of owner Melody Anguiano. 

Anguiano bought her business in 2015, at a time when she knew nothing about flowers or floral arranging. 

“I wanted to be in a creative business,” she said in an earlier interview. “I was pretty much open to anything that has to do with creativity and interior design. And I saw the opportunity.”

It was a little scary to go into a business she knew nothing about, she said, but she was determined to succeed. 

“I knew I’d pick it up,” she said.

In a note she wrote on her website, Anguiano said she learned many of the skills she puts to work in the Desert Rose from her parents . 

“I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, and watched my parents build a successful business from the ground up. It wasn’t easy, and I’m grateful to have seen them do it and know the ‘behind the scenes’ (part of business),” she wrote. 

Desert Rose started as a floral shop, but Anguiano didn’t intend for it to stay that way. She wanted to make a place where people could take their time.

“My dream was just to see people relaxing and meeting here,” Anguiano said.

She and her husband Jose purchased a neighboring building and expanded it into the cafe. 

“When you start from scratch you can make it yours,” she said.