Today we’d like to introduce you to Katsiaryna Asipik
Hi Katsiaryna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Katsiaryna, but most people call me Kate. My love for flowers began when I was around 8 years old. I became fascinated with houseplants, and my mom noticed my passion. She started subscribing to a plant magazine for me, and my godmother gifted me a plant book, which deepened my interest.
I was so into plants that I even started “borrowing” cuttings from everywhere – at school, in the library, and even at the hospital – until our home was overflowing with greenery.
After finishing 9th grade, I wanted to leave school early to study floristry in college. However, my mom felt it was too soon and encouraged me to pursue a more stable education first. So, I completed two higher education degrees, starting with teaching. I have never worked in a school, though.
In 2014, I left my career in advertising to follow my true passion and opened my first flower shop in Minsk, Belarus. Flowers have been my passion for almost a decade now. In 2019, I moved to the US and continued my floral journey. This December, I’ll be celebrating 10 years in the flower business with my company, KateAsFlowers – where Kate is a short form of my name, As stands for the first two letters of my last name, and Flowers reflects my love for what I do.
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 hasn’t been smooth since I moved to the US. When I first arrived in New York, my English wasn’t very strong, which made things challenging. I was proud to get a job on Wall Street despite this barrier and gained valuable experience working in floral shops in both Manhattan and Brooklyn.
After two years, I moved to Miami. Here, I faced new obstacles, such as adapting to the local market and learning Spanish, which I plan to start soon. Starting over without family, friends, or connections was tough. To support myself financially while growing my business, I’ve been doing freelance work. Even with these challenges, I’ve continued to pursue my passion for flowers and keep moving forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Over the past nearly three years in Miami, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many well-known companies and grow my floral business. When I first arrived, I had to build my network from scratch again, but through dedication and hard work, I’ve established valuable connections.
I’m especially proud of the variety of projects I’ve taken on. I’ve created wedding bouquets for high-profile events, including for bridesmaids at a wedding where Paris Hilton was a bridesmaid. I’ve also collaborated with renowned brands like MAC, Sol de Janeiro, and others.
For the past two years, I’ve been working on Formula 1 events for one of the companies, which has been an exciting project for me. Participating in an international competition and designing a mannequin for Fleur De Villes was also a significant achievement. My ability to transform floral designs into stunning, memorable pieces continues to be a source of pride.
Seeing my work appreciated by a growing list of clients and companies has been incredibly rewarding.
How do you think about happiness?
The ocean and nature play a big role in my happiness, inspiring me and bringing me peace. I also love volunteering to clean beaches with a local group, which deepens my connection with the environment. Spending time with family and friends brings even more joy to my life, and I’m really thankful to have such amazing people around me.
Working with flowers fills me with incredible happiness. Creating floral designs often feels like a meditative experience, especially when I’m alone. I get lost in the beauty of the process and find deep joy in it. Even in my free time, I can find myself drawn to working with flowers. It’s something I truly love, and it’s rewarding to know that my work brings joy to others as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kateasflowers.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateasflowers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/LbkscsDjtNzvDaby/?mibextid=kFxxJD
