We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katsiaryna Asipik a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Katsiaryna, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Developing confidence in my work as a floral designer has been a long journey, filled with challenges, growth, and moments of self-doubt. Since I was a child, I dreamed of working with flowers. I imagined owning my own flower shop one day, but life took me on a different path. My degree and building a career became my priorities, but my dream never left me.
In 2014, I decided it was finally time to follow my dream. I left my career in advertising and started preparing to open my own flower shop. At the time, I didn’t have any formal experience or training. I enrolled in a floral school to gain confidence and knowledge, but the courses were repeatedly postponed. By the time I had the keys to my shop, I still hadn’t attended a single class. Instead, I taught myself through online courses, endless practice, and experimenting with flowers. My friends supported me by placing orders, trusting me to create arrangements, even though I didn’t feel like I was “officially” a florist.
As time went on, I attended classes, workshops and online classes in my free time. I learned wedding florals, Christmas arrangements, and other techniques. But even with this growing experience, I struggled to confidently call myself a florist. I felt I needed to know and do more, and I compared myself to others constantly. Many people today are quick to call themselves florists without any formal training, but for me, it was important to earn that title through practice, knowledge, and experience.
When I moved to the United States in 2019, the self-doubt resurfaced. Working in a new environment, surrounded by incredibly talented florists, I found myself questioning my abilities again. But as I gained more experience and started working on larger projects, I began to see my own value.
By the time I moved to Miami in 2021, I had reached a turning point. My confidence started to grow as I reflected on the projects I had completed and the challenges I had overcome. I realized just how much I was capable of – whether it was designing floral installations, managing large-scale events, or finding creative solutions under pressure. Seeing the results of my work, both big and small, made me more certain of my abilities and pushed me to aim higher.
One of the creative highlights for me was participating in the Fleur de Villes, where I designed a floral mannequin. It wasn’t about recognition but about doing something for the joy of creativity and pushing my artistic limits. This, along with many other projects for my own clients and collaborations with companies, reminded me how much I had grown professionally.
It wasn’t just experience that helped me feel more confident – it was also addressing the pressure I placed on myself. I worked on my mindset through therapy and self-reflection, learning to let go of constant comparisons and unrealistic expectations. While I’m still a perfectionist, I now see it as a strength that drives me to deliver thoughtful, high-quality work without letting it overwhelm me.
Today, I approach my work with a sense of trust in my abilities. I know I have the creativity, skills, and experience to take on projects of any scale. This journey hasn’t been about achieving perfection but about understanding my strengths, appreciating my growth, and continuing to learn and evolve with every project.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am Kate, a floral designer and the founder of KateAsFlowers. My work is all about creating unique and thoughtful floral designs for weddings, events, and private clients. Each project is an opportunity to bring something special to life and to make every detail count.
What I enjoy most about my work is how flowers can completely transform a space and create unforgettable emotions. From large-scale events to personal celebrations, I focus on capturing the essence of the moment through floral design.
I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with incredible clients and take on exciting projects that have pushed me creatively and professionally. You can see more of my work on Instagram @kateasflowers.
For me, flowers are a way to connect with people, celebrate life’s milestones, and share beauty in a meaningful way.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I’d say three things have been most impactful on my journey: being confident, always growing, and keeping creativity alive.
1. Be confident – Don’t be afraid to speak up about your achievements and take pride in your work. Confidence grows when you own your success, even the small ones. I wish I’d been braver about this earlier!
2. Keep learning – In this field, there’s always something new to discover. Experiment, make mistakes, and stay curious – that’s how you grow.
3. Leave room for creativity – Let yourself enjoy the process. Taking time for creative projects keeps the love for what you do alive. It’s the spark that keeps you going.
To anyone starting out: Be fearless, stay curious, and don’t forget to have fun!
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
When it comes to clients, I feel incredibly lucky. My favorite clients are those who trust me – people who give me creative freedom to bring their vision to life. Often, they’ll share a few preferences, like colors or the mood they want, and then say, “Do whatever you think is best.” That kind of trust is priceless, and it pushes me to deliver my absolute best every time.
This trust also extends to my corporate clients. Over the past year, I started working as an outsourced designer for floral companies from other states. These companies rely on me to represent their brand and take full responsibility for their projects here in Miami, often without us ever meeting in person. It’s a privilege to have such trust placed in me, and I always strive to exceed expectations, whether it’s for their clients or their events.
The trust my clients place in me is the most valuable part of my work. At the same time, I’m learning to trust the people who work with me and support me in delivering these projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kateasflowers.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateasflowers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15tjfVuTnj/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kateasflowers/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
