From Straight A Student to Floral Designer and Home Educator: My Journey as Featured on Nicky Elliott's Women's Business Podcast
In honour of International Women’s Month, I want to take a moment to share my story—one that intertwines motherhood, entrepreneurship, education, and creativity. As a Black woman, London-based floral designer, and mum of three who home educates, my path hasn’t been traditional, but it has been deeply purposeful.
Earlier this year, I had the incredible honour of being featured on Nicky Elliott’s Women’s Business Podcast, where we explored the unique challenges—and triumphs—of building a business while raising and educating a family. The conversation resonated with so many, particularly other women seeking to carve out their own path in business and life.
In this blog post, I’ll dive deeper into my journey and answer some of the most common questions I receive from clients, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those interested in working with a Black-owned florist in London. Whether you're a brand, PR agent, or simply looking for floral inspiration from a florist who truly understands the intersection of identity, creativity, and motherhood, I hope this post offers value and connection.
Who Am I, and What Inspired Me to Become a Florist?
My journey into floristry wasn’t something I planned. I wasn’t a child who always dreamed of working with flowers. In fact, I started out in academia. I was a straight-A student, focused on ticking all the “right” boxes—good grades, university, a stable career. But over time, I realised that while I could perform well in traditional education, I wasn’t necessarily fulfilled by it.
It wasn’t until I paused and looked at what was already in my hands—my love for beauty, storytelling, nature, and meaningful connection—that I saw entrepreneurship as a natural path. Flowers became my medium, but my mission was always bigger than bouquets. I wanted to create experiences, tell stories, and bring emotional connection to brands and events through floral installations.
Why Is Representation in Floristry Important?
Floristry is a space that has traditionally lacked diversity, especially at the luxury and brand-activation level. As a Black woman in floristry, I understand the importance of visibility and representation—not just for myself, but for future generations.
Clients have told me how refreshing it is to see someone who looks like them creating beauty in this industry. Brands, especially those seeking authentic and inclusive storytelling, are beginning to recognise the power of hiring Black-owned businesses to bring real depth and culture to their campaigns.
This International Women’s Month, I want to celebrate the women—especially the mothers, the creatives, and the Black women—who are carving out space in industries that haven’t always welcomed them.
How Do I Balance Business, Motherhood, and Home Education?
This is one of the most common questions I get: “How do you do it all?”
The truth is—I don’t “do it all.” I prioritise, I adapt, and I lean into grace. I’m a mother of three, and I also home educate my children. That means our days are full, and no two are ever the same. But instead of seeing my roles as conflicting, I view them as complementary.
Being a business owner has given me the flexibility to design a life that supports my children’s education and well-being. At the same time, motherhood and home education have taught me skills I use in business daily: patience, creativity, communication, and resilience.
My kitchen might be buzzing with blooms one minute and filled with the sound of my children’s questions the next—but that’s the beauty of it. I don’t separate my life into silos. I let each part inform and enrich the others.
What Makes My Floral Design Style Unique?
At the heart of my work is storytelling through flowers. I specialise in creating bespoke floral installations for events, brand activations, editorial shoots, and intimate celebrations. I work closely with brands who want to express something meaningful—who want their values, identity, and message reflected in the floral art that surrounds their event.
Clients hire me not just for flowers, but for vision. I bring a thoughtful, soulful approach to design. Every installation is carefully considered: the choice of flowers, the textures, the colour palette, the symbolism. Whether I’m creating a statement wall for a product launch or floral tablescapes for a private event, my goal is always to evoke emotion and connection.
And yes, being a Black-owned business in London does influence my aesthetic. My heritage, my lived experience, and my values shape the way I see beauty, balance, and storytelling. If you’re a brand looking for inclusive, meaningful, and bold floral design, I’d love to collaborate.
Why Do Clients Choose to Work with a Black-Owned Florist?
There’s a growing awareness among clients—especially in the PR, fashion, and lifestyle industries—about the importance of diversifying their supplier networks. Working with a Black-owned business isn’t just a box to tick; it’s an opportunity to bring new perspectives, styles, and stories into your brand experience.
Clients choose to work with me because:
They want floral design with depth and meaning, not just aesthetics.
They value the storytelling that comes from lived experience.
They want to support Black women in business, not just during International Women’s Month, but year-round.
They resonate with the authenticity and intentionality behind my work.
As a mum in business, I bring a unique understanding of care, detail, and nurturing into every project. That maternal energy translates into florals that feel personal, thoughtful, and powerful.
What Did I Share on the Women’s Business Podcast?
My episode with Nicky Elliott was a raw and honest look at the crossroads of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and education. We talked about:
My pivot from academia to floristry
What I believe the education system misses—and why I chose to home educate
The moments of adversity that sparked transformation
How I discovered my entrepreneurial calling by “looking at what was already in my hands”
The values I want to pass on to my children
How motherhood has made me a better businesswoman
It was more than just a podcast—it was a reflection on womanhood, creativity, and identity. I invite you to listen to the episode if you’re seeking a reminder that your path doesn’t have to be linear to be powerful.
What Skills Do I Want to Teach My Children—and How Do They Relate to Business?
In our conversation, I shared some of the core values I aim to instil in my children, which also reflect the ethos behind my business:
Creativity – the ability to see possibilities where others see limits.
Resilience – bouncing back when things don’t go to plan.
Critical thinking – questioning, analysing, and finding your own truth.
Empathy – understanding others deeply and designing experiences with compassion.
Entrepreneurial spirit – not just starting a business, but being resourceful, adaptable, and visionary.
These aren’t just values for school or business—they’re values for life. And they’re woven into every bouquet, every installation, and every conversation I have with clients and collaborators.
How Can You Work With Me?
If you’re a brand, event planner, PR agent, or creative director looking to bring intentional, striking, and meaningful floral design into your next project, I’d love to hear from you.
I offer:
Floral installations for brand activations, pop-ups, retail launches, and immersive experiences
Event florals for intimate gatherings, private dinners, and styled shoots
Creative collaborations with brands who value story, sustainability, and soul
A fresh, inclusive perspective as a Black, mum-led, London-based business owner
My studio is rooted in London, but my work often travels—whether physically, through events, or digitally, through content.
Why Hire a Black-Owned Business for Your Next Event?
Hiring a Black-owned florist is a powerful way to align your brand with values of inclusion, equity, and creativity. When you work with me, you’re not just supporting a business—you’re investing in a story, a mission, and a movement.
This International Women’s Month, I encourage you to look beyond the usual. Seek out women-led businesses. Support Black creatives. Collaborate with mums who are balancing it all and still showing up with brilliance.
Final Thoughts
My journey from academia to entrepreneurship, from motherhood to floral artistry, is still unfolding—but it’s already full of beauty, boldness, and purpose. I hope that by sharing it, I can offer inspiration to others walking their own winding path.
If you’re looking for a florist in London who brings authenticity, creativity, and heart to every project—and who also understands the richness of motherhood, culture, and education—I’d love to be part of your story.
Thank you for celebrating International Women’s Month with me. Here’s to more women rising, more stories being told, and more flowers blooming in unexpected places.
Let’s create something beautiful together.
Want to connect?
www.afmena.co.uk
www.instagram.com/byafmena
Floral designer and home educator afia bayayi on the power of looking at what’s in your hands — Wilder Ones Collective (thewildercollective.co.uk)
Follow the link below to listen to the episode: