By james art 
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – For the past 21 years, Brenda Wenrich has helped North Topeka blossom at Heaven Scent Flowers and Tuxedos.
“I bought it as a flower shop,” Wenrich said. “This gentleman’s wife had died and he really had no interest in doing it.”
This is exactly how her florist journey begins.
“Back then I couldn’t tell a tulip from a turnip, but now I know it and now I love it,” Wenrich said. “All the staff at the time taught me, I didn’t go to flower school.”
Her favorite arrangements are for funerals.
“There’s something to be said for giving the last thing for someone,” Wenrich said. “I want things to be beautiful.”
People are the sun that made her bouquets brighter.
“All I care about is making people happy, that’s the last thing you can do for someone and the best thing you can do for someone,” Wenrich said.
But starting Nov. 22, it will close to accommodate another female Topeka small business owner.
“She came to me and wanted my building because it fits her needs with the coolers and all that good stuff,” Wenrich said. “So I thought, if the price is right, why not?”
Wenrich says the 85-year-old building is used to change.
“It went through the big flood in Topeka,” Wenrich said. “People have been coming here for years and saying, ‘I had my first date here.’ It is designed for serving ice cream.
Now that she’s passing the baton, she has this advice for all small business owners.
“To make something profitable, you have to spend money to make money,” Wenrich said. “Do your homework and just plan to work hard, and if it’s not something you love, you’ll be successful.”
Wenrich plans to continue making an impact in the community as a para or aide to the elderly.
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