Blooming Against the Odds: FAMU Graduate Fulfills Mother’s Wish
TALLAHASSEE, Fl.- Camryn Boone isn’t just walking across the graduation stage at Florida A&M University (FAMU) this spring – she’s walking in the footsteps of her mother’s dream deferred.
The scholar, entrepreneur, and single mother of three is set to receive her Master of Business Administration degree from FAMU’s School of Business and Industry (SBI). Along the way, she launched Pink Petales Floral Boutique, turning grit into greatness and making good on a promise.
“This is truly a full-circle moment,” Boone said. “It’s an addition to my grandmother’s legacy. Stepping foot on the Hill and becoming a Rattler was my mother’s dream. Unfortunately, she didn’t get to live it out, so I did it for her.”
When Camryn Boone graduates from FAMU, her mother, the late Rosalind Martin, will
be graduating in spirit. (Photo by Antonioweaverphotography)
Returning to school as a single mother, Boone balanced parenting, academics and entrepreneurship.
“Pink Petales Design Studio, (my event planning and design company), has been around for nine years now. After my mother, (who helped me build my business) passed away, it wasn’t the same without her,” said Boone. “I wanted to honor her memory. That’s when I fully stepped into florals and launched Pink Petales. Flowers were always special to us – we always gifted each other roses. I loved pink roses, and yellow roses were her favorite.”
Earning her MBA and building her businesses were more than just parallel pursuits for Boone, they were two sides of the same coin. Her academic experience equipped her with the tools and strategies needed to turn her passion for floral design into a thriving enterprise.
“SBI has been nothing short of amazing. The highlight, however, was our residency trip to Jamaica,” she said. “Not only did I forge valuable relationships with local vendors and secure all the necessary permits, but I also gained a deeper understanding of the floral industry on an international scale. The insights I learned abroad have truly been a game-changer for my business.”
Beyond textbooks and lectures, Boone said she found something even more powerful — a family that lifted her over every hurdle and celebrated every triumph. Whether it was the magic of the Hill or her mother’s guiding spirit, Boone never felt alone.
MBA Grad Camryn Boone shows her rattler fangs and credits the FAMU-ly for helping
her realize her potential. (Photo by Antonioweaverphotography)
“There were so many nights where I questioned if I could really do it all. But I reminded myself that quitting wasn’t an option. My boys were watching me. And my mother’s dream lived through me,” she said.
At FAMU, Boone didn’t just earn a degree; she discovered a powerhouse of support that became her second home. She described SBI faculty and staff as heaven-sent and expressed appreciation for their steadfast belief in her potential.
“There were times I felt overwhelmed, but I never felt alone. The support system at FAMU is unmatched. My professors, my peers — they believed in me, even when I was running on fumes,” she said.
This foundation became the bedrock for Boone’s next chapter. As Pink Petales’ approached its one-year anniversary, Boone was able to celebrate a sign of even greater things to come.
Making sure she basks in the light of her accomplishment, Camryn Boone can't wait
to see if her sons follow in her FAMU footsteps. (Photo by antonioweaver photography)
“I’m beyond excited to announce that Pink Petales is ready to take on our very first wedding in Jamaica this October,” Boone exclaimed. “None of this would have been possible without the unwavering inspiration, motivation, and support of Dr. Friday. She has been the driving force behind this incredible new chapter in my journey.”
Boone said she is leaving FAMU with more than a degree, she is leaving with the fulfillment of a vow made to her late mother, Rosalind T. Martin.
“I don’t think words can express that feeling,” she said. “I can’t even put that feeling into any words.”
Boone shared that one of her most meaningful moments came when her 10-year-old son, Carter, told her he was proud of her hard work, and her 13-year-old son, Cameron, expressed his dreams of joining FAMU’s Marching 100.
“Knowing that he might one day follow in my footsteps is such an incredible feeling. It reassures me that I made the right decision to pursue my dreams at a time when my children were old enough to witness the journey, the sacrifices and the wins. It’s bigger than me. So, it’s about creating a legacy they can see, feel and one day, build upon” she said.
As she looks ahead, Boone finds comfort knowing that her sons may one day strike, strike and strike again.
“(Cameron’s encouragement) meant everything to me,” she said. “He sees me, he’s proud, and now he’s talking about becoming a Rattler. It’s a beautiful legacy. My mother’s spirit lives on — not just in my steps, but in his too.”
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
