Janzen is originally from California but has been lucky enough to live in California, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. She has two grown sons, both of whom are married. She has four grandchildren with a fifth on the way. Janzen has had a couple of careers and is enjoying working now with her youngest son at both the Red Cloud and Smith Center locations.
What is your favorite thing about Red Cloud?
The People. Everyone has been wonderful to work with here. We are appreciative of the warm welcome we have received.
I am happy to be here, "in the Cloud"
What are some of your favorite businesses to shop at in Red Cloud? Why?
I like to shop in Repeat Street to aid in my collecting habit and visit with the women that work in there. It’s so fun! I just need more time to go. I also enjoy the Hometown Market--it has great selections and is so clean and welcoming.
If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
I would want to be able to work at the speed of light! There is just never enough time to accomplish all the things I want to do.
On rural living: "go with the 'slow flow'--embrace and be thankful for it. Having lived in Houston for 20 years has made me appreciate always getting a good parking place. People are nicer, once you get past the not being 'from here' part, lol!"
Do you have any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
Being outdoors is a favorite past time and it doesn’t matter what I do: yard work, walks, gardening, sitting on the porch. I am also a bit of a collector. It's just stuff, but I love things like vintage flower shop stuff, vintage sewing tools, and vintage linens.
Do you have any pets?
Two cats, Mama and Baby. Fittingly, they are a mother and her baby.
What are you most proud of?
Well, I am most proud of my children as they have turned out to be kind, respectful, and hard working people. Other than them, I am proud of and grateful for the love and support of my friends and family and employees as well, for sticking through all the ups and downs, good times and hard times over the past 7 years with the Twisted Petal. It has been a learning curve that I would liken to a roller coaster but I wouldn’t trade it. Though I did use to ask myself, "Who starts a flower shop having never run a business or been a florist at all ever??"
What were your high school guidance counselor say about you if we asked?
They would say I was a very determined girl. I will get ‘it’ done no matter what, somehow someway! I was a good student: I graduated HS in 3 years.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to relocate to rural Nebraska or Kansas?
I’d say go with the “slow flow"--embrace and be thankful for it. Having lived in Houston for 20 years has made me appreciate always getting a good parking place at the Grocery store or the bank or anywhere for that matter. People are nicer, once you get past the not being "from here" part, lol!
What is your dream vacation?
Anywhere that is the beach or the mountains, although I prefer to stay in the USA.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I am happy to be here, "in the Cloud" as a friend always says. I look forward to what else is in store for the Twisted Petal and myself as well.
Credits:
Debbie Janzen * Jarrod McCartney