Rising Star: Meet Mahvish Usman

NOVEMBER 9, 2021

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mahvish Usman.

Introduce Yourself

Hailing from Pakistan, a country known for its bright and rich culture, it was only natural that I ended up developing an artistic streak. Growing up, my strong aesthetic sense combined with an innate flair for everything creative, led me to keep myself engaged in one project or another, from school projects to small-scale home renovation DIYS, designing clothes and jewelry to recycling random pieces around the house. I was always approached by friends and family to help them in creative projects, especially related to events. My passion for events grew exponentially when I moved to the United States 13 years back, as I got to experiment more with the fusion mix of my cultural roots and contemporary lifestyle. It was all play and games until a friend asked me to do flowers for a wedding. Imposter syndrome kicked in and rightfully so because fresh flowers are perishable items, which means that you are basically running against the clock and they are super expensive on top of that. Thankfully, it all ended well, the project received massive appreciation and for me, there has been no looking back!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

My journey has not been without its fair share of struggles and challenges. It’s not easy setting up a business in a new country. It has been a learning curve as you have to wear multiple hats while also understanding the nuts and bolts of the business like market dynamics and customer behavior, legal requirements, sourcing and procurement procedures, etc. Luckily, in my case, it was my passion turned into business, which helped me overcome obstacles one after another. But it was only when I was getting my feet wet that Covid hit, affecting florists just like all other businesses. Farms shut down all over the world, making it super hard to find specific flowers. The supply-demand cycle was badly disrupted. Whatever was available was almost double the price. The toughest part as a newbie was trying to explain the increase in price to clients. Fresh flowers have always been a luxury item, but Covid took it to another level. The worst part is that no one knows when this would be back to normal.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I am a floral designer and an event stylist, and what sets me apart from others is the cultural creativity I bring to the table for my clients. I provide full tablescape/event design services, inspired by the rich South Asian culture I come from. Flowers are a part of almost all our important occasions in life, from a simple appreciation bouquet to a more sophisticated wedding or corporate arrangement, and I get absolutely enchanted by the endless varieties of flowers and changes of palette that nature has to offer. My attention to detail is perhaps my biggest strength, and my client-centric style has helped me develop lifetime bonds with my clients, which is very fulfilling for me since I thoroughly enjoy working with people.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?

I see myself playing around with flowers, creating floral structures and installs, that I am truly passionate about.
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