Today we’d like to introduce you to Una Yeh.
Hi una , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My very first job in the U.S. was helping my neighbor, an event florist who worked out of her garage. I didn’t know it at the time, but that small beginning would lead me to a lifelong love for flowers.
I started as her assistant—cleaning flowers, scrubbing vases, and prepping supplies. It was simple, behind-the-scenes work, but I genuinely loved it. Even now, after all these years, cleaning flowers is still one of my favorite things to do. There’s something peaceful and meditative about it.
As a new immigrant, English was still difficult for me, and I didn’t feel confident speaking to people. But flowers? Flowers didn’t need words. They gave me a way to express myself quietly. That made me feel safe—and slowly, I started to find my rhythm.
Then I met Tweeny, the person who truly changed my life. She didn’t just give me a job—she gave me trust. Tweeny let me do everything she did: arranging flowers, packing, delivering, setting up events. She taught me every detail of the work and, through that, helped me build the confidence I didn’t yet have.
Because of her, I fell in love with floral design. I took classes, wanted to learn more, do more, create more. Tweeny believed in me before I knew how to believe in myself. She was my mentor for many years. We worked side by side until she had her first baby and decided to step away from the business to focus on her family.
That’s when I took over The Flower Lab.
Carrying on what Tweeny started was both an honor and a responsibility. I wanted to preserve the heart she poured into the business—but also bring my own voice and creativity. Over the years, The Flower Lab has grown into a space where we create weddings and events that are both elegant and deeply personal.
Every time I design something new, I think of where it all began: a garage, a neighbor’s kindness, and the comfort I found in a bunch of flowers when words felt hard to find.
Today, flowers are not only my work—they’re my language, my freedom, and my way of building beauty in the world, one stem at a time.
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?
In general, I feel very lucky in my flower journey. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many talented senior florists who generously shared their knowledge with me. I learned a lot from them, and I’m grateful for that.
But of course, the road wasn’t always smooth—especially in the beginning.
One of the biggest challenges early on was learning the names of flowers. Some of them have such unique pronunciations, and as someone who couldn’t speak English well at the time, it felt impossible to get them right. I often felt embarrassed trying to say those complicated names out loud.
Another big learning curve was understanding different cultural traditions. Since most of our work is in weddings and events, I quickly realized that each couple may have their own unique customs and ceremonial details. I began paying close attention to those cultural elements because I wanted to honor them properly and respectfully in the floral designs.
Taking over The Flower Lab was also my very first experience running a business. I had no idea how much more there was beyond just creating beautiful arrangements. Suddenly, I had to learn about everything—consultations, proposals, ordering supplies, deliveries, accounting, client communication… It was overwhelming at times, but it taught me so much.
One of the biggest shifts was learning how to think and communicate in English—not just speaking the language, but understanding how to explain creative ideas, manage a team, and work with clients and vendors clearly and confidently. I had to retrain my brain to think in a new way.
Despite all the challenges, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every struggle helped me grow, and every obstacle taught me something valuable. This journey has made me stronger—not just as a florist, but as a business owner and a person.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The Flower Lab is a floral design studio specializing in weddings and events. Over the years, we’ve had the honor of designing florals for more than 800 weddings and 100 events. Our mission is simple but powerful: to bring our clients’ vision to life with care, creativity, and flawless attention to detail.
What I love most is creating custom floral installations that truly transform a space. Weddings aren’t just about beautiful flowers—they’re about the overall experience. That’s why we focus on crafting statement pieces and focal moments that leave lasting impressions for both the couple and their guests.
Our team is passionate and versatile. Whether it’s an elegant classic ballroom wedding, a whimsical garden ceremony, or a fun and memorable corporate event, we design each celebration to reflect your unique style and story.
Just like our name suggests, at The Flower Lab we’re always experimenting—mixing creativity, style, and passion to create floral chemistry that brings every event to life.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is this: take every opportunity you can, even if it’s not convenient or glamorous. When people email us expressing interest in becoming a floral designer, my first response is always the same—start with cleaning flowers.
It might sound like an easy or small job, but it’s actually one of the most important steps in the whole process. Each flower has its own character—some need more water, some need less; some thrive in cooler temperatures, and others don’t. Learning these details builds a foundation of knowledge that will shape the way you design. Every stem matters. Don’t overlook the small stuff—that’s where mastery begins.
Also, every win, no matter how small, is an opportunity to express gratitude. When you stay rooted in gratitude, challenges become lessons instead of roadblocks. It shifts your mindset and helps you grow through each setback or mistake along the way. And of course—work hard, harder, and even harder if you want to reach your goals faster.
I’m truly grateful for everything I have now. If there’s one thing I wish I could go back and change, it’s that I wish I had started my floral journey earlier. I’ve been doing flowers for 13 years now, but I still feel like a beginner. This industry is much bigger and deeper than I ever imagined before stepping into it—and there are still so many areas I want to explore and learn.
There’s always more to discover. And that’s the beauty of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theflowerlab.com
- Instagram: @theflowerlab
- Facebook: theflowerlab
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-flower-lab-santa-monica?osq=theflowerlab&override_cta=Get+a+quote
- Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/the-flower-lab-santa-monica/68c87ed8255e77b8.html
Image Credits
Vanessa Tierney / the big affair / sarafrance / Heathereast photo / twofourteenphotography
