The business has been blooming since 1982, and so has its owner. 

"I've owned for three years now," said owner John Graham. "I purchased it soon after graduating from MU."

At 26 years old, Graham is running a successful greenhouse. 

"So far, we've been able to keep in business so that has to mean something," John said.

Callaway Fields boasts customers from as far away as St. Louis, Blue Springs and even Pacific. Running a greenhouse has always been John's goal.

"When he was little, I would bring him over here," said Jane Graham, John's mother.  "We would get plants and he would help me. This is always something he's liked to do."

This business is really a gigantic extension of John's FFA project as a high school freshman.

"In fact, you're standing in half his original greenhouse that was over at our house when he was in high school," said Jane.

There are seven greenhouses on the property. Five of them have a variety of plants, but two of them are devoted solely to geraniums. It's the specialty at Callaway Fields, and as you walk down the rows, it's easy to see why.

Bucky Thomas is one of two full-time employees. The reflection of flowers in his glasses shows the focus of his work day.

"I take care of the geraniums," said Thomas. "That's all I do."

Bucky enjoys working for John, and his age has never been an issue.

"He's a pretty good boy," said Thomas. "Uh, man, I guess. As long as I keep raising good geraniums, he'll probably keep me on; I hope."

John has tried to use his youth to fertilize the business, and put a young spin on things. Callaway Fields now holds a fall festival.

"We had a horse and wagon ride last year, as well as some live bands," John said.

They also held container gardening classes.

"By us making this more of a destination, its something that our customers are going to want to do regardless of their income and how the economy might affect it," said John.

He hopes all of this gives his customers more of a reason to support a local business.

"I know we're not going to be the only place people by their plants," John said. "I'm not that naive, but when people do go to Wal-Mart or to Lowes or Home Depot, that gets kind of aggravating. I'd rather them support a local greenhouse than go to a chain store."

One hard-working employee not on the payroll says seeing her son succeed is payment enough.

"Well, you're gonna make me cry. I'm really proud of him," said Jane. "It's really neat on the weekends when his sisters are down here and we're all working together; makes a mom proud."

John may only be 26, but he knows the meaning of hard work.

"We get up at dawn and we go to bed after its dark," he said.

All done to make sure he can boast his company slogan.

"Beauty can be bought," John said.

At Callaway Fields, it certainly can.

Callaway Fields also sells flowers at the Columbia Farmer's Market at the ARC.