This week’s Friday Feature is Afia from AFMENA, who is as vibrant and beautiful as the floral designs she creates. After working as a teacher, Afia had a change of heart when on maternity leave with her first child. That’s when her love of design took centre-stage and she started her business. Now, with a focus on unconventional and colourful creations, Afia creates exciting florals for brands, events, and weddings all across London.
Let’s get to know more about the amazing woman behind the creative small business…
After creating flowers for my own wedding, I became the go-to person for friends who were getting married—it gave me a safe space to learn and practise. While on maternity leave with my first child, I started thinking seriously about how to stay home and work around my family life. I had to ask myself: What’s already in my hands? And this was it. So I registered the business and slowly began the transition from a hobby my friends liked, to a business that could actually earn an income.
I’d love for the business to have a strong base of repeat work from brands and corporate clients. I also see myself running mobile floristry workshops—creative experiences that are fun, social, and inspiring.
I’m organised—no surprise there, I’m an ex-teacher! I’m great with people: friendly, approachable, and I genuinely care about providing a great experience. People buy from people, and I think there’s something relatable about supporting a business run by someone juggling work and family life. I also have a spirit of excellence—I always seek to overdeliver and approach everything with professionalism.
The early mornings and late nights, especially as a home-educating mum of three. That, and managing the ups and downs of being a cash flow-dependent business—it’s not for the faint-hearted!
Yes—especially when it comes to interiors. I love making little tweaks around the house, and I actually do freelance work as an interior decorator for new show homes. I just really love and appreciate good design in all its forms.
Buying a fixer-upper as our forever home and renovating it with my husband. I think we’d have so much fun designing it together from the ground up.
I’m extremely self-aware of my strengths, and I try to play to them. That helps me stay confident, even when I have the occasional wobble.
I’d hire a marketing specialist—without question. I’ve definitely been winging that side of things so far… it would be amazing to have someone who knows what they’re doing take the reins.
It’s so inspiring when a creative woman feels empowered to embrace the kind of creativity that really lights her up… and in Afia’s case, that’s creativity in more ways than one with a love of floral-design and interiors.
For more information about hiring Afia to flower your next occasion, head to her website: afmena.co.uk or for some fun behind-the-scenes content, take a look at her Instagram: @byafmena
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