Echándole Ganas
Since Day One
My name is Irene Prado. Everything I am today comes from watching my parents Alberto and Marisol build something out of nothing — with their hands, their savings, and a corner in Inglewood.
Two Immigrants.
One Dream.
Alberto and Marisol didn't come to the United States together — they came separately, each chasing something better. They met here, fell in love, and built a family from scratch.
"Everything that inspires me today comes from my immigrant parents."
They Learned to Work
Before They Rested.
Both Alberto and Marisol started working at a very young age — not by choice, but out of necessity. That sacrifice became the foundation of everything they built together.
When One Door
Closed...
They tried a restaurant — it failed. No liquor license, no customers. But Marisol had savings, and Alberto had an idea: flowers. He'd worked at a flower shop. He knew arrangements.
"My mom was a saver and my dad was a spender. Because of her, we are where we are today."
Marisol Prado — the backbone of everything
Century & Condon · Inglewood · closing time
"El Señor
de la Esquina."
They planted themselves at the corner of Century & Condon. That corner became their office. People called Alberto "el señor de la esquina" — the man of the corner. He was there every day until the last flower sold.
"They would stay there long hours until the majority of their merchandise would sell."
"The whole family showed up. Every single day.
Not because they had to — because that's who they were."
The Whole Family
Showed Up.
Their kids came to the corner. Marisol prepped buckets, cleaned roses, cut stems. Alberto designed arrangements and got hired for events. It wasn't just a business — it was a team.
The Prado kids — born into flowers
Irene — before she could walk, she was in the shop
They Grew Up
In Flowers.
Before Irene could walk, she was surrounded by sunflowers. The shop wasn't just a business — it was home. Every photo from their childhood has flowers in it.
30 Years.
One Corner.
Still Standing.
When the shop across the street closed, they moved in. Century Flowers opened on Century & Eucalyptus. That was 30 years ago. Today, Irene runs it with her parents.
"It is something I truly LOVE to do. Having to see my parents build themselves from scratch — that's everything."
Irene Prado — 30 years later, still at the same corner
Now It's
Our Turn.
My parents' story inspired me to help the flower street vendors in my community. We buy out their entire inventory and send them home early. We create pages for each vendor so people can donate directly. We share their stories.
"Street vendors deserve to be treated just like everybody else working a regular job."
