(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Profound Elegance LLC owner Engram Quinn.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Laurel on Dec. 25, 1976.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I graduated from Columbia High School in 1995. I went to Pearl River Community College and USM for college.
Q: Where all have you lived?
A: Only in Columbia.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I own and operate Profound Elegance LLC in Courthouse Square. We are a florist shop that mainly does funeral work. Then we have a bakery side where we have different desserts. I got into for the floral part for funerals. I like to help the families that really can’t afford a nice spray for their family. The food side came from me experimenting with decorating and watching “Chopped” and different cooking shows. It was mainly for the presentation, but people really like it. I’m shocked a little bit. The inspiration came from just trying to make food look good.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: My mom passed a couple years ago, and we got her a nice spray. You want to do that for your family, and it was nice but expensive. I thought at that point in people’s lives when they would like to give their family that respect, if I could put a smile on one person’s face if it’s pretty enough that’s what I like to do. I don’t want them to have to settle for something less than what we want.
Q: Do you have any particular goals moving forward?
A: We plan on doing weddings and expanding in the future. I would like to reach where I can give back to the families that really need it whether it’s a casket spray or something with a funeral. I would love to get to a point where I could afford to truly give back.
Q: What do you enjoy most about owning your own business?
A: I enjoy making people happy. They enjoy the food, enjoy what we make for them and I like satisfying people.
Q: What was your first job?
A: My first job was at McDonald’s. My career was as a respiratory therapist, but I branched off to do this in March.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My mom, Jeanette Quinn. She raised seven kids by herself, so there’s a lot to be said for that. We all went to college and everybody is doing well.
Q: If you had to relive one day from life over and over again, what day would you choose?
A: My son, Darius, graduating from college. I was so proud of him, and I could do that again and again. That was a proud day for me. From being a teenage mom, raising him alone and him reaching that goal, that would be the day I’d pick. I got to watch him be successful.
Q: Do you have any children?
A: Darius is my only son, and I have a grandson, Isaiah McCullan. Darius is 24 and my grandson is 2 years old.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: Anything with potatoes. I love potatoes.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I would go to Greece.
Q: What hobbies/activities do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like to craft and love sports. I’m a Saints fan and love LeBron. Sports are my thing.
Q: What do you enjoy most about living and working in Columbia and Marion County?
A: It’s like a family. Everybody knows each other and supports each other. For example, when I opened here I didn’t know the guy from the movies (Tony Weinedel), but it just seemed like I’ve been knowing him forever because everyone is so nice. It’s been great to be down here in Courthouse Square. Everyone has been so supportive.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: I would love for my mom to see this — to see that I branched out and opened my own place. She used to try to get me to branch out. I would decorate from my own home, but I didn’t do it for anyone else. But she always tried to push us to think outside of the box, and I would have loved for her to see this. That’s my only regret that she didn’t get to see me reach my goal of opening a business.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I would like to be remembered as someone that tried to help anybody they could. Whether it’s their health, mourning or sick, I just want to help anybody I can that I come in contact with.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A: My grandson. It was just so unexpected. I think it’s the Lord’s way of giving me a blessing in place of me losing my mom. He brought me so much joy and got me through that time.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie and why?
A: I’d rather watch a good movie because you can watch it with someone else, get a large popcorn with extra butter and just lay back and enjoy. I like reading as well.
Q: If you could plan the perfect vacation, where would you go, what would you do and who would you go with?
A: I would go to Jamaica with my four sisters, Jennifer Averett, Priscilla Pittman, Carmeshia Cain and Latashia Owens. We would just enjoy being on the beach and the nightlife. I’d like to just relax and spend time with my sisters.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Engram Quinn is the proud new owner of Profound Elegance LLC, which specializes in floral funeral arrangements as well as a number of desserts. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
