Exploring Life & Business with Stephanie Elhayani of Seed Floral

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Elhayani

Hi Stephanie, 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?
It was love at first sight for Stephanie Elhayani, owner & creative designer of SEED. She was only 15 years old, a sophomore in high school, when she answered a “help wanted” sign at the neighborhood flower shop. She didn’t know it then, but those four years of working part-time planted the very SEED that has become her life long passion, and helped her to pursue a dream.

Stephanie utilizes her international background, her passion for traveling, & her appreciation of different cultures to produce unique events in locations throughout the world. She has worked in a variety of places, including Los Angeles, NYC, Arizona, Las Vegas, Austin, Georgia, Hilton Head, San Francisco, San Diego, Utah, Hawaii, Israel, Antigua & Mexico. Her signature events can bring you & your guests the color & spice of Marrakech, the chic contemporary style of a downtown loft, the enchanting elegance of Versailles, or the lush serenity of a Bohemian garden.

In fall of 2013, Stephanie took her business to the next level by opening up a retail shop in the heart of West Hollywood, CA. She not only offers her expertise on flowers & design but also has a unique selection of hand-picked gifts, custom home decor, and artisanal goods.

Seed Floral is more than just a simple name synonymous with blooms – it is family.
in 2021, a partnership was formed with Stephanie & her sister Vanessa who share a passion for florals & commitment to sustainability inspired these sisters to create Seed Floral.

With over two decades of experience between them working in the floral & event business, these sisters were ready to do things a bit differently. Pulling from their passion for far-flung travel & design with a reverence for all things fresh, Seed Floral was created to be a place where all good ideas can be turned into a beautiful reality by skilled experts.

Seed Floral is a business built on appreciation for nature, family & the environment. Come & visit, we’re super cute in person at our new location in LA. Watch us create a custom floral bouquet for you at our Flower Bar, collaborate with us on your wedding or special event, or take one of our awesome classes.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, our business has faced numerous difficulties. The pandemic has caused a significant impact on the global economy, and unfortunately, our floristry business was not spared from its effects. Despite being viewed as a symbol of luxury, the floral industry has encountered a sharp decline in demand as people prioritize their basic needs.

Moreover, the frequent rise in inflation rates in recent times has further affected our business, making us one of the earliest industries to be impacted negatively. Despite the hardship, we are committed to overcoming these challenges and finding innovative ways to adapt to the new normal..

We have observed the following changes:

1) A significant decline in events organized and lesser bridal inquiries.
2) An increase of 30% in the cost of goods, especially flowers.
3) An increase of 25% in labor costs.
4) Scarcity of skilled floral designers.
5) Several suppliers were forced to shut down their business.
6) Some of our favorite products have been discontinued.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are lovers of nature, plants, flowers & possibility.
We are full-service plant & floral creatives. With over two decades of experience, Seed Floral
was created to be a place where our botanical art and design brings people closer to nature,
one experience at a time. We work on all types of events, floral builds & healthy plant
environments for corporate spaces. We tailor each project to match your distinctive style,
business’ specific needs and brand. From the design concept to installation and ongoing
maintenance, we are Seed Floral and look forward to seeing what Blossoms together!

Our services include:
INTERIOR PLANTSCAPING +MAINTENANCE

Live and faux plant displays, complete office plantscaping, installation + maintenance & commercial holiday decor,

WORKSHOPS

Hands on design workshops to exercise your creativity. Come get your hands dirty with us.

EVENTS + WEDDINGS

From corporate events to weddings to artistic installations meant to wow. If you can dream it, we can produce it.
Seed Floral | 2022

LIVING WALLS

Seed creates custom living walls full of color & texture from natural materials such as moss, bark, airplants and succulents.

CUSTOM INSTALLATIONS

We create show stopping moments via breathtaking floral installations. From custom photo-booths to floral walls and custom letters Seed executes event installations of any size.

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES
Fun & Interactive DIY activities curated to teach engage and captivate.

What were you like growing up?
During my younger years, I was a child full of potential and curiosity, just like a budding bloom. I possessed a variety of interests, similar to the colors in a wildflower meadow. Canvas painting allowed me to express myself creatively, while my love for nature and its unique patterns greatly influenced my interests. I spent a lot of time in the garden, observing the flowers and always trying to catch the butterflies. This experience inspired me to appreciate organic design, which now influences my work.

Inspiration ravishes my creative imagination when exploring cultures and languages. Art is fueled by connecting with individuals and experiencing their customs. My passion for languages and travel fuels my artistic expression in writing, art and music, weaving new perspectives in the mix.

Reflecting upon my childhood, it has contributed to the tapestry of experiences and molded the person I am today. The seeds of my current passions were nurtured in those childhood days, fueled by curiosity and the desire to create beauty in the world.

Pricing:

• $75 retail minimum for delivery + delivery fee
• local delivery $15
• Grab N Go items start at $35, $55 & $75 for walk ins
• Minimum for Weddings of 50guests + is $3500
• Seasonal hand wrapped bouquet starts $95

Contact Info:

• Website: https://seedfloral.com/
• Instagram: @seedfloral
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seedfloral/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/seed-floral-los-angeles

Image Credits
photographer: natalie Baidi photography
@natalie.baidi.photopgraphy
website: nataliebaidi.com