This is the latest in a series we call Plant PPL, where we interview people of color in the plant world. If you have any suggestions for PPL to include in our series, tag us on Instagram latimesplants. DePaula is decked out in a rugged winter coat, denim button-down shirt, shorts, boots, and a red scarf, like a modern-day swashbuckler.
His pink Lenita by Grita truck, parked in front of Stumptown Coffee, feels well-suited to the festive mood. His flowers are seasonal, bright and wild. Around L. He is also known for building a business focused on inclusion. As an immigrant from Brazil, DePaula is keenly aware of the importance of embracing all the people who visit his truck.
Every background. Every color. See you there! DePaula moved to Boston from Brazil with his family when he was He brought with him the closeness and intimacy of growing up in a small community. Little acts of solidarity — helping people find beans like the ones back home, translating letters for friends — were integral to building a life stateside. DePaula uses her image and name in his advertising.
He collaborates with his sister and his brother. He names his floral arrangements after his female relatives: Thalita, Carmelita, Carmozita, and Rezonita. His trademark pink truck, he says, is just like them: powerful, delicate and timeless. Before becoming a florist, DePaula worked as a graphic designer, designing art books for Taschen, among others. A few years after arriving in L. Encouraged by the popular Los Angeles food truck business model, he decided to sell flowers out of a truck.
Enlisting the help of his twin brother, Kemuel, and a mechanic, they remodeled the interior and got it running. Soon, thereafter, he was hitting the wholesale flower market in downtown Los Angeles at a. The flower truck was my side job. It has grown more than I anticipated. They want to support small businesses. They realize that there is a chain of people they support when they buy my plants — farmers, growers, vendors at the flower mart. DePaula plans to continue his brick-and-mortar pop-up at the Shops on 20th in Santa Monica through December and will be selling wreaths, candles, incense and ceramics by local artists for the holidays.
