Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariko Ladrillono
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Becoming a florist wasn’t something I had planned, even though I’ve always had a love for flowers and plants. I worked as a project manager at a creative agency in Tokyo and have designed graphics and websites before that. I had some experience working with flowers, but only in a limited way—primarily through my time as a Tahitian dancer, which occasionally required fresh floral costumes. Beyond that, I never pursued floristry seriously.
Everything changed when I moved to Hawaii for my husband’s job. I was burned out from long hours in front of a screen and questioning whether my English was good enough for a corporate role in the U.S. So one day, I decided to take a workshop at a flower shop and asked the owner if they’re hiring. A week later, I was arranging flowers and rediscovering my creativity in a completely new way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although I’ve worked with flowers for over seven years, I only launched my own business recently. My husband’s career requires us to relocate every few years, and that constant movement made it feel like the timing was never right. For a while, I thought, “I’ll start my business when we move back to Japan.” But as I freelanced for other florists, the desire to build something of my own grew stronger. That’s when I decided to stay in California and finally take the leap into running my own business.
As you know, we’re big fans of Nine Kole. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in creating custom floral designs for events—mainly weddings, corporate events, and editorial styling. What sets my work apart is the deep focus I place on storytelling through florals and plants. Each design is unique to the occasion, with no set menus or pre-designed formulas. I’m always exploring ways to blend my clients’ visions with the natural beauty of the event’s location, using local elements to enhance the overall experience. My goal is to create something truly memorable and deeply connected to both the people and the place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ninekole.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninekole
Image Credits
Ashley Purple
