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40 years ago, Caryl Pohland, was forced to stay at home because of leg operation from a skiing accident. During this time she had received, from friends and family members get well wishes and many flowers. Caryl, not wanting the beauty of the flowers to go to waste, decided to use her artistic skills and pressed the flowers. She then took those flowers, arranged them on a mat and framed them. These pictures were hung in the Pohland’s foyer. Caryl’s friends and family liked them so much that she decided to make more to give as gifts, hoping to bring the same joy she had in receiving them. Caryl used flowers from her yard and around the neighborhood.  

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Caryl and her husband, Pudge, then decided to sell their live pressed flower pictures at an art and craft show. Caryl did the artwork, Pudge cut the mats and made the frames, and they both worked in the garden with the flowers.

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With the support and care of their family and friends, their business, “Florals by Caryl,” slowly emerged from being a part-time excursion into a weekly event. Caryl’s mom, Em, sold at the shows, and she and Auntie Bess helped pick and press the flowers. It was at this point that the business showed signs of a full-time occupation. Their son, Bret, became involved at a young age, working with the mats and molding as well as with the flowers. 

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The Pohland’s business continued to grow throughout the years and when Bret got out of college, he came to work for the business full-time. It was at this time that they decided to change the format of their pictures from only flowers to flowers coupled with people’s names. Adding names to the pictures made them even more popular. The Pohlands grow the flowers in their backyard.  They cut the mats, make the frames, do the research on and produce the names.

 

Over the years Florals by Caryl underwent many changes, from location (they bought the property next door and moved the business out of their home and garage), and the addition of helpers, to the business’ name, now known as NameMe Company.  They have also added more family members, Lisa, Bret’s wife and Chloe, their daughter.

 

The biggest change to happen was this year (2022), when Caryl and Brett sold the company to a family from Michigan.

 

That’s where we come in! NameMe Company is now owned and operated by Rose Willman, her daughter Alix, and son in law John. Together, and with the help of other family members, we have relocated the business to Detroit and we are now working hard to maintain the amazing business model that Caryl, Pudge, and Bret have created. 

 

We look forward to doing business with you!