The Brightside: Anastasia Jackson, turning a business loss into success

DOVER, Del. – Back in 2020, Anastasia Jackson opened the first-ever paper florist shop on the east coast in downtown Milford. Her efforts even captured the attention of Good Morning America. However, after an unprecedented redirection, Jackson transitioned from a business owner to assisting other businesses in finding the same success, and much more.

“Cookie’s Paper Petals will forever be in my heart however it is closed, it’s gone, and it served its purpose for that certain season in my life. When one door closes,  another one opens,” said Jackson; A saying the former cookie’s paper petals owner lives by.

The first black woman to own the first paper floral shop on the Eastern Shore had to take a detour after the unexpected closing of her shop, but a detour she says led her to a brighter future. “This is something I could see myself doing and retiring and doing this type of work.”

Jackson is now the Kent County regional business manager with the Delaware Division of Small Business. Her work, helping entrepreneurs navigate the state’s business landscape and connect with the resources they need to succeed. “I’m able to speak to what they do from both sides as a business owner and as this role as a business manager to see all of the great things that they do for business owners.” Jackson adds, “The small businesses, your mom-and-pop shops, those are what speaks to the people’s heart, those are the places you go where everybody remembers your name.”

Now she meets with business owners throughout Kent County where she learns about the nature of their business, assesses the wants and needs of the business even checks out their business plans. “If they don’t have a business plan I tell them not to panic. I can help you get there and connect you to the right places to get your business plan in place,” says Jackson.

Jackson tells 47 ABC, she makes sure businesses have the tools needed for greatness, which business owners who have worked with her can attest to. “Anastasia was key to the entire process,” says Donny Legans, Owner of Rail Hous Beer Garden set to open in Dover. He adds, “She helped me with the presentation and we were able to knock it out the park and we won the grant, so the first domino that fell for Rail Hous for us so it helped out a ton.”

Legans is in the process of building a restaurant and beer garden. He tells us the work she does is a vital part of thriving businesses, without resources like grants, loans, and incentives, businesses like his and others couldn’t happen. He adds, “So at any point, I can text Anastasia and she’ll get right back to me, if she doesn’t know the answer, she’ll reach out to the right person who can point me in the right direction and give me the feedback that I need.”

Most recently, Jackson also became the Dover main street coordinator for Delaware. Assisting in the efforts to bring more businesses to the area, like Tina Hudson Beamer, owner of Tina’s Timeless Threads on the main street. “Being able to have someone you can go to that will assist you in applying for those is amazing,” says Hudson Beamer. “Do your research, look, like we have Anastasia who is here especially if you’re looking to do a main street or downtown area, you have someone who can help you go through the proper steps to get your business where it needs to be.”

Calling it a re-route with purpose, Jackson’s work to economically help develop businesses never ends. Showing that it’s not about how hard you fall, it’s about what you do when you get back up. “I still love the paper flowers because without the flowers I wouldn’t be here today,” says Jackson. “Now in this role, I’m still able to connect with people and still assist business owners and make sure that they’re thriving and successful.”

Jackson says moving forward, she’s focused on historic revitalization in downtown Dover, while also bringing more small businesses to main street to continue the economic development in the area.

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