Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcela Bazana-Weber.
Marcela, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Rio was always just a normal place to me. It is alive, and it taught me to be alive. It is like no other city, and Brazil is like no other country. It is home, its family, its art, it has unbending expression and fabulous colors, sounds, celebrations, curves, vibrations, crime, corruption, poverty, suffering, and great wealth. My mother was tough, and she brought me up to be tough, to work, and to survive. Favela taught me to never lose our rhythm and color, no matter how tough life can get. This is in our blood. I am sure of it.
In pursuit of love, I moved to Miami seven years ago. I had been a teacher and a salesperson in Brazil. I intended on pursuing a career in education but personal challenges and roadblocks put me on another path. I learned English and Spanish in the restaurant industry; in a short time, I went from a Lincoln Road hostess to bartender at the Versace Mansion and the Bazaar (SLS Hotel). Hospitality is a critical component of FLORMOSURA. To put a $25 craft cocktail in front of a person, confidently caused me to learn and respect balance. A cocktail has multiple ingredients and components but it makes just one drink. Flowers are like that.
I began my transition into freelance work while at the SLS. I was pregnant and had my eye on other things. The exposure to art, hospitality, and production was impactful. I wanted to offer my best self to my child, so it was time to start embodying that person for me, first.
I freelanced around Miami with some of the best florists in the local and national game. Monica Delgado (Simple Florals, MIA) was a shining example for me on what can happen when strong people make decisions and go for it. I am forever grateful for the lessons and direction. As a freelancer, I was able to work with someone who blew my world away. During Art Basil, I was hired to work with East Olivia (New York). Here she was, in the middle of the biggest art show on earth, and she is managing multiple projects per day. That is the level of badass I am going for.
When the pandemic came, life got difficult for us. I split with my previous partner and joined forces with my newly unemployed husband. FLORMOSURA is my baby. I started her on two walls in our shared office space. I painted frames on the walls and took pictures of any flowers or dried textures I could find. It was a pandemic so the flower supply chain was significantly disrupted. With the world struggling, our home remained focused on being part of the solution and winning. Not only survival but win. Someone was going to win, it might as well be us. We have been toughened from a lifetime of challenges growing up, and our life together filled with moments that have nurtured us for COVID 2020. We were unfazed.
We launched a week before Mothers Day. The most I had ever sold at previous farmer’s markets was 16 items, and that may have been Valentine’s Day! My husband and I sold and executed 60 orders on Mother’s Day 2020, mostly pre-orders. We sold out on our first day open. We started on being a solution to a simple problem. The world is in fear, the elderly are at risk, and we all need a way to say, “I love you, Mom.” Online purchasing, contactless swift delivery. Mothers Day was saved for 60 families. Sixty meaningful connections were made, and FLORMOSURA was officially a player in the game.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
COVID is here, but if it wasn’t for COVID, we wouldn’t be where we are so I am not going to complain. Weddings canceled, budgets cut, social distancing. These things all became opportunities.
Having a 2-year-old presents many challenges. We were screen-free for him for 18 months of our 2-year goal! Once we realized we were becoming too reliant on TV for childcare, we enrolled him in school.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Flormosura story. Tell us more about the business.
We have been open for seven months. We sell bouquets and arrangements at our online shop, both FRESH and DRY florals are available. We offer NEXT DAY delivery in Miami Dade and Broward counties, we will travel further if our schedule permits. Our DRY floral line has been shipping nationwide for two months. Our target market went from Fort Lauderdale to the whole USA in the snap of a finger. We have shipped to NY, California, and Seattle already. We are literally “all around the country.”
We specialize in floral art, basically. They are wild, expressive, fun, and customizable. I am not a traditional florist, although I am a florist. I customize installations for events and home/business decor, we do corporate editorials and personals. This week alone, I did a three part installation in 12 painted tires and another one on a 12 foot Christmas tree. We just like to have fun!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
The pandemic interrupted my husband’s previous hectic work life. He got fired! We both feel lucky that happened.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flormosura.com
- Phone: (305)203 4918
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @flor.mosura
Image Credit:
Zai Lafitte (Pink Suite), Disco balls couple, Palms floor installation.
Finding light photography Beach Installation
J Peace Christmas tree
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