Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoraina Malik
Hi Zoraina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From Loss to Blossoms: How My Mother’s Legacy Led Me to a Flourishing Floral Career
I was just 15 when my mother, battling terminal brain cancer, encouraged my siblings and me to find creative outlets to cope. Growing up in Los Angeles, I felt lost in the midst of it all. My sister threw herself into painting, my older brother lost himself in piano, and my younger sister discovered a love for sewing. As for me? I found my calling in the most unexpected place—among buckets of blooms and the scent of fresh-cut stems.
Every weekend, I’d hop on my bike and ride to Pavilion Flowers in Walnut, CA, where I got my hands dirty learning how to arrange bouquets, haggle for wholesale deals, and even navigate the delivery truck. The flowers became more than a job—they were my therapy. I’d bring home my creations, and my mother and I would fill our house with makeshift arrangements, adding a little brightness to our days.
When she passed away, I felt a void that flowers seemed to fill, so I pursued a degree at the University of California, Riverside, and began turning my passion into a small business. Soon enough, I found myself arranging flowers for Disney and Angels Stadium. But then came the 2008 financial crisis, which nearly withered my budding business. I was stuck, creatively and professionally, until a chance encounter with Bloom Box’s bold floral designs reignited my spark. I saw flowers in a whole new light—structured, daring, and alive with possibilities.
Determined to push my craft further, I set out on a global floral adventure. In 2015, I made the leap to New York City, a place where the hustle never sleeps and neither did my ambition. I immersed myself in the world of high-end floral design, taking classes at FlowerSchool NY and learning from legends like Remco van Vliet, Belle Fleur, Julia Rosa, and Lewis Miller. But my quest for mastery didn’t stop there. I jetted off to Dubai for flower arranging classes at Flower School Dubai, traveled to Japan to study the art of Ikebana, and even took a class in Paris to refine my European techniques. I sourced roses from Colombia and soaked up knowledge from every corner of the world.
This journey led me to open Lilac Studios in 2018, right in the heart of Broadway, New York City. It was a dream come true—a studio where I could bring my vision to life in the city that never sleeps, surrounded by the vibrancy of the theater district.
After a decade of growth and exploration in New York, I felt a pull back to LA—the place where it all started. Now, I’m opening my second studio, just down the freeway from where my mother rests. It feels poetic, almost like coming full circle, as I bring everything I’ve learned back to the city that first inspired my passion. My aim isn’t just to create stunning floral designs but to share a bit of the healing power that flowers gave me, turning loss into something truly beautiful.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey in the floral industry wasn’t just about beautiful blooms—it was also about navigating the thorns along the way. Losing my mother at a young age was the first of many challenges I’d face. Her terminal illness took a toll on my family, and when she passed, it felt like the world as I knew it collapsed. Flowers became my way of coping, but even as they brought me comfort, they couldn’t fill the void left behind.
As a South Asian woman breaking into a mostly male-dominated industry, I encountered barriers beyond the physical demands of the work. There were cultural expectations to contend with—subtle and overt suggestions that floristry wasn’t a suitable career path. Many saw it as a “side hobby” rather than a legitimate profession, especially for someone from my background. I had to fight against these cultural norms, not only to establish myself as a serious florist but to also show that my passion was worthy of pursuing full-time.
In the male-dominated world of high-end floristry, I often found myself to be one of the few women—and even fewer South Asian women—present at wholesale markets, negotiating contracts, or setting up elaborate event installations. I had to prove myself at every turn, both artistically and physically, pushing through skepticism and sometimes outright dismissal. There was no room for hesitation; I learned to lift heavy equipment, design under pressure, and never back down from the demands of the business.
Then came the reality of being a business owner during turbulent times. The 2008 financial crisis unraveled years of hard work as clients scaled back and contracts disappeared almost overnight. I managed to adapt and rebuild, only to face another major challenge during the COVID-19 global shutdown. The pandemic brought the world to a standstill, and once again, I had to pivot quickly to keep my business afloat. Whether it was finding new ways to serve clients or diversifying my offerings, I learned how to navigate through financial storms and keep moving forward.
Now, as a mother of two, the balancing act is more challenging than ever. Running a business while raising children is a constant struggle to find time for everything—and often, it feels like there simply isn’t enough of it. But being a mom has also given me a renewed sense of purpose. I’m not just pursuing my passion for myself anymore; I’m setting an example for my kids that hard work, perseverance, and breaking barriers can help you flourish, even in the toughest of times.
Every obstacle has shaped me into the florist and person I am today. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s added layers of depth and strength, making each bouquet I create a testament to growth, resilience, and challenging cultural norms—even when the path is lined with thorns.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work goes beyond just arranging flowers—it’s about creating moments and telling stories through floral design. At Lilac Studios, we specialize in high-end floral arrangements for luxury events, weddings, and corporate clients. Our designs range from classic elegance to modern, cutting-edge styles, and we’re known for our ability to transform spaces into breathtaking environments. Each arrangement is crafted with precision and a keen eye for detail, ensuring that every flower placement contributes to the overall narrative of the event.
I’m proud to have built a business that serves prominent clients like Disney, Angels Stadium, and other high-profile brands. But what makes me most proud is the feedback from clients who say that our flowers made their special moments even more memorable. Knowing that our work has a meaningful impact is incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart is my approach to blending global influences in floral design. Having trained under master florists around the world—from New York to Dubai, Japan, and Paris—I bring a unique fusion of styles to my work. I’ve incorporated elements of Ikebana, European design techniques, and contemporary trends to create truly distinctive arrangements. This international perspective gives my designs a versatility that resonates across different cultures and tastes.
Being a South Asian woman in a mostly male-dominated industry also gives me a different lens through which I view my craft. I infuse elements of my cultural background, using vibrant colors and intricate details that make each piece more than just a floral arrangement—it becomes an art form. My journey hasn’t been without challenges, but it’s the hurdles I’ve overcome that add a layer of depth and resilience to my work.
At Lilac Studios, we’re not just selling flowers; we’re crafting experiences. Every petal, every arrangement is curated to evoke emotions and celebrate life’s moments—big or small. Whether it’s a grand wedding in the heart of Broadway or a more intimate celebration, our mission is to make every event extraordinary with the art of floral design.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really subscribe to the idea of luck, whether good or bad. To me, the concept of luck implies that something is either handed to you or taken away by chance, and that’s not how I see life or business. I’ve never had anything handed to me. Everything I’ve achieved has come from hard work, perseverance, and maintaining a positive mindset, no matter the circumstances.
Some people might say that losing my mom at a young age shaped this mindset, and I can see why. When you experience a loss so profound, so early in life, you come to realize that the worst has already happened. Nothing else feels like “bad luck” in comparison, because you’ve already faced the deepest kind of pain and come out the other side. After that, setbacks don’t feel like obstacles—they’re just part of the journey. If I lose a client or a deal falls through, I don’t see it as misfortune but as a chance to open a door for something new, whether that’s a fresh client, a different project, or a new idea for growth.
The same goes for successes. When things go well, I don’t chalk it up to “good luck.” It’s the result of effort, energy, and passion. I’ve always believed that you create your own fortune through the decisions you make and the attitude you carry. It’s not about luck—it’s about resilience, about taking whatever life throws at you and finding a way to turn it into something positive.
If there’s one thing that loss has taught me, it’s that life is too unpredictable to be left to luck. You have to make the best of the cards you’re dealt and play them with intention. So, if I were to describe the role of “luck” in my life, I’d say that it hasn’t had much of a place. Losing my mom at a young age gave me a deeper understanding of life’s fragility, but it also gave me the strength to approach every situation—good or bad—as just another stepping stone. That’s how I navigate my life and business, embracing each challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lilac-studios.com/
- Instagram: lilac.studios_
