Pualani Crown: The business of blossoms

Ashley Reiko Pangelinan had always been fond of flowers so it’s a dream come true for the Kagman High School alumnae to make her lifelong love of blossoms into a business.

Pangelinan actually started Pualani Crown in Tokyo, Japan in December 2016 and when she returned to Saipan she relaunched the company.

“I always loved flowers since I was a kid and making flower crowns reminded me dearly of my beloved grandma, Maria V. Pangelinan. It was also a good opportunity to turn my hobby into a small business,” she said.

It also helped that aside from living in Japan for 3 ½ years, Pangelinan also called Hawaii home for 11 years and everyone knows the 50th state was where headdresses or crowns made of flowers became famous.

All of Pualani Crown’s headdresses are made by Pangelinan herself. “All my flower crowns that I make are handmade with love and love songs by me.”

According to her, making flower crowns also isn’t really that hard. “Anyone can do it. They just need the time and patience to learn from someone like me or watch DIY flower crown on YouTube to make a beautiful flower crown.”

In making them, she uses different types of wires like grapevine wire, binding wire, floral wire, and floral tape that she buys online at Amazon, while flowers are sourced locally.

“Most of the flowers I use for my arrangements are locally found in my garden and neighborhood. Occasionally I need to buy imported flowers like roses from our local florists,” said Pangelinan.

So far, Pualani Crown has been getting rave reviews. “The initial reception was really good. I had amazing feedback from my first customers,” she said.

Aside from the obvious weddings, Pualani Crown’s flower headdresses are also mainstays for bridal showers, bachelorette parties, baby shower, graduations, coronations, style shoots, and farewell parties.

She said the biggest fulfillment she gets from her business is “seeing how people are happy when wearing their flower crowns.”

Pualani Crown’s flower headdresses range from $35 to $85 for adult pieces and pieces for children start at $25. Pangelinan said she is currently planning a big giveaway with other local vendors in late-August or September.

For orders email Pangelinan at pualanicrown@gmail.com or visit her company’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pualanicrown/ or Instagram: @pualanicrown. Customers can pick up their orders in the entrance parking lot of Tapochau Road, while delivery service is $10.

MD: Ashley Reiko Pangelinan had always been fond of flowers so it’s a dream come true for the Kagman High School alumnae to make her lifelong love of blossoms into a business.

KW: Pualani Crown, Ashley Reiko Pangelinan, new business.