Even if you’ve never met Jake Tohme, you’ve probably heard of at least one of his businesses over the years. Since moving to Nova Scotia from Lebanon in 1985, Jake has been the owner of nine businesses, including his current shop, Jake’s Florist and Chocolatier. We spoke with Jake about his experience as a Nova Scotia business owner, and the CUA Difference that helped him along the way.

When Jake moved to Nova Scotia nearly 40 years ago, he had plans to finish up his law degree at St. Mary’s University. His parents were both academics, and his father, a professor, encouraged him to get an education. But life took a different turn, Jake explains. It was difficult in the beginning, especially since he didn’t yet speak English well. But he soon began working at his brother-in-law’s pizza shop on Portland Street, then called Tripoli Pizza.

“I helped him out with it for one year,” Jake explains. “Then he sold it to me.”

From this business, he opened Jake’s Variety on Portland Street, which still exists today. Jake sold it about seven years after opening, and since then it’s been sold another five times over, still with the original name “Jake’s Variety,” which he’s proud to see. 

“It wasn’t what I wanted,” Jake says. “But I ended up [opening] another pizza business. It was a franchise, called Dino’s Pizza. We started five locations. And it was a lot of work, but it was a successful business.”

Initially, Jake had been banking with another financial institution. But when he went to them for a business loan for Dino’s Pizza, the reception wasn’t what he had been expecting. He instead turned to CUA, going to the Wyse Road location near his storefront, and found the response to be very different.

“They were very helpful, and they helped me out with what I needed,” Jake says. “I moved everything there.”

After becoming a member over two decades ago, starting with just $20 in his vacation savings account, Jake says that whenever he needed something for his business, CUA was there for him.

“Even for this business,” he says, referring to Jake’s Florist and Chocolatier. “I needed a little money to start with, and they were there for me [then] too.”

A few years after opening Dino’s Pizza, Jake again decided that it was time for something new and sold each of the locations to its respective manager. The sale for the last location was completed eight years ago, with Jake giving the new owner his keys on Christmas Eve.

After selling the pizza chain, Jake spent some time back in Lebanon with his mother while she was sick. When he returned to Nova Scotia, he knew he was finished with the pizza business. Over the years, he’s helped other local business owners get their start, but he shifted his own focus to his longtime passion: flowers.

“I was in Canada for about 30 years, and I did different stuff. But flowers was my passion all the time,” Jake says.

Before starting to work professionally, Jake had made floral arrangements for churches and a few weddings. With this new dream ahead of him, he began searching for a place for his shop to call ‘home.’ He settled on his current location, at 3204 Barrington Street.

“When I started this business, I was scared for the first couple of years, until it started picking up,” Jake explains, saying that the more work he did, the more comfortable he became. Now seven years later, business is great. So good in fact, that they had to shut down their website this past Valentine’s Day due to the incredible volume of orders.

Jake’s Florist and Chocolatier is a family business through and through, with Jake at the helm making the arrangements. His wife, son, uncle, and other family members are a valuable part of the team as well, especially for events. In addition to selling bouquets for occasions like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day (two of his busiest days of the year), Jake also creates beautiful arrangements for events like weddings and baby showers. He says the work speaks for itself.

“I get a lot of customers, and a lot of repeat customers, which is good.”

The other side of his business involves the delicious chocolates that set Jake’s Florist and Chocolatier apart. He explains that understanding his target market was key when figuring out what to pair with his flowers.

“When I first opened, this is what I said: ‘What goes with flowers? What do women like?’ Women like flowers and chocolate.”

The gourmet chocolates Jake sells are imported from back home in Lebanon, which he orders four times a year in time for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and the summer season. There’s a wide variety of flavours, and the chocolates are incorporated into the decoration for some events.

Describing his business as a dream come true, Jake says he loves operating his company, working with the flowers, and in particular, having time for himself and his family, which is one of the best parts of being an owner. Reflecting on the years of hard work that led to his success, Jake emphasizes that all business ventures are risky. Having a financial institution with service like CUA’s made a difference.

“I know at CUA, you’re a member. You’re not a number. [Whenever] I needed something for my business, they were there for me.”

When it comes to pursuing your business dreams, Jake gives a simple formula: “I believe, it’s passion. It’s in you.” He explains that if you like what you’re doing, you’ll be able to do it perfectly and professionally.

After decades in different business ventures, Jake says “I’m happy with what I’m doing now.”

And if you happen to place an order for a Mother’s Day bouquet this month, make sure to do so soon! We know you’ll be happy with Jake’s work too.

Our team at CUA is happy to have been able to help Jake on his journey, and we can support businesses like yours with our Small Business Loan Guarantee Program. Learn more about CUA’s commercial products here.