NEW YORK – “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere…,” goes the song originally sung by Frank Sinatra that has since been sung by many, even in karaoke bars worldwide. But while others can only sing it, Filipino entrepreneur Dennis Josue is living it.
“I am most proud of the fact that I am not only living here in New York; but also thriving,” he said in a recent interview at Fantasia Floral Design, a flower shop he owns and runs in the East Village.
The city is often referred to as the “concrete jungle” – busy, bustling with activity, intimidating and known for harsh winters and the perceived I-don’t-care attitude of the people. But florist Josue, who migrated from the Philippines in 1983, cares; and with this Filipino trait of caring, is able to conquer the urban complex with love and flowers. “I love flowers! I love looking at them, working with them. They never complain or talk back to you,” he joked. “They’re very pleasant to see. Seeing them makes me happy.”
In the Philippines Josue graduated from San Beda College with a degree in Economics. But eager to pursue his passion for the performing arts, he also took classes at the University of the Philippines School of Dance, with a minor in voice training. After graduation, encouraged by his sister who was already living in New York, Josue packed his bags and the dream to perform in one of the greatest cities on the planet.
“I thought I could continue dance and see what’s in store for me. But then one thing led to another, which is working, and working, and working, and suddenly, I forgot about dance,” he said.
The city hustle pulled him away from his dream, but brought him closer to his potential. He said that he was always fond of flowers, particularly dried flowers; but he never really thought of it much, until a friend asked him if he would like to apprentice in a flower shop.
“Fantasia Floral Design was established 1986 by two Italian guys; and I took over the shop in 1994,” Josue said, adding that this opportunity to own a business has also enabled him to have a richer experience in life, meeting and interacting with famous accomplished personalities.
“New York is a party town and New York is very well known for famous people. And it’s an honor for me to provide some of them with flowers,” he said. Among his clients include shops on Fifth Avenue; designer Josie Natori; and poet, writer and author Maya Angelou who recently passed away. “One thing that struck me when I met May Angelou was she’s a very, very educated woman. Very, very kind and very warm. Once you approached her, she always had this beautiful smile. Even though she always wore glasses, you could see her face light up,” said Josue who did Maya Angelou’s Christmas flowers every year since 1997 until 2012.
Despite these experiences, however, Josue admits there have been nightmare moments, with challenging clients: “There are clients who will call for a meeting at 10:00 a.m. but will come out 30 minutes later; then will walk around their house/space pointing at where they want the flowers. ‘This, there, here, and out there.’ I’m following around with my pen and paper, trying to jot down notes as fast they are dictating them. There’s just a lot of pressure. Normally, the work here is 80% pleasure and 20% is pressure. And I can’t answer back or go against clients. Customer is always right,” he said. “The main purpose of our business is to make everybody happy.”
There’s also the challenge of racism in America. Admittedly, Josue said he’s a second, even third class citizen in his adopted country, and his brown complexion gives him away: “Somebody would come in the store, maybe a customer, or vendors selling something. They would see me and a white person, they would approach the white person first, my staff, before me. They would ask me, ‘Where’s your boss?’ I would answer: ‘No comprende.’”
Humor is how Josue combats stress and pressure; that and some physical activities – running and shopping. Most of all, he said he gets through it all, with the love and support from his husband.
“I know I’m lucky, not just to live and thrive in New York; but also to have married a lovable husband,” Josue said.
And what a wedding it was! Josue was the first Filipino to marry right after gay marriage was allowed in New York State. He met his American husband, Dan, on a blind date set up by their dentist, in July 2008; the couple got married three years later, a historic day not just for them; but also for the State.
“We were selected in a lottery, on the first day of New York State’s passing the gay marriage. A week before, there were about 2,800 couples who applied. I did, without expecting anything. Then I got a call saying I was selected to be part of the first day of gay marriage in New York State,” he said. “I believe it’s a right for me to be happy. I want to show people that gay people also have a right to be happy and be in a committed relationship. My family was very happy for me and the only thing they said to me is that as long as I’m happy, they are happy for me. The thing is that love conquers all.”
And it does, perhaps with a bit of help from flowers, too. Together, love and flowers helped Dennis Josue to conquer New York. And since he’s made it there, he also shared some of the secrets to his joy:
On his favorite flowers: “What season? I love the big sunflowers during the summer – different varieties – yellow center, bi-colored petals, etc. For fall, I love the fall hydrangeas because they’re very colorful; Winter, amaryllis. Spring, lilies of the valley, of course.”
Though he’s experienced some racial prejudices, his thoughts on being Filipino and gay in New York: “As a gay man, I have not experienced that (racism.) New York is very progressive. Being gay is not an issue in New York. The only questions is: ‘Can you deliver?’ And we do. Most of our clients are loyal to us because they like our work. I’m proud of that.”
His advice for entrepreneurs and those wanting to start their own business: “If you set your heart in it and don’t think of it as a job; but rather something that you love to do, then that’s the key to success. Because when you start thinking about it as a task; as something you have to do everyday, then it becomes a challenge.”
Josue added that for him, the most important thing in his life is his marriage. And whether it’s a heterosexual or a homosexual marriage, his advice to married couples or to those contemplating marriage: “Married life, it’s more of getting used to the fact that you have a partner. I got used to living alone. Now, that I’m living with somebody, I have to adjust. I think that’s what’s important in a marriage – adjustment. You have to be kind to one another. And always listen to each other.”
From dancing and performing, to owning his business; from Manila to Manhattan, Josue looked back at his life thus far and said: “I have a full life and I am living it. No regrets, just gratitude.”