Meet Maritza Wyche Walton

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maritza Wyche Walton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maritza, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience is born from the women who came before me. I grew up watching my grandmother endure some of life’s most devastating blows like divorce, the loss of two daughters, and the passing of a brother, all at young ages. Yet she never allowed grief to harden her or stop her. She kept going, she kept giving, and she kept creating a home filled with love and strength. Her life was my first classroom on perseverance.

The women in my family have always been powerful examples of endurance, grace, and courage. I watched them navigate hardships with a steadiness that taught me resilience is not the absence of struggle but, it’s the decision to rise in spite of it. Their strength became the blueprint for my own.

I also carry the memory of my mother, who passed away at 17. Each year I live is a year she never had the chance to see. I honor her by living fully, boldly, and purposefully. That sense of responsibility to make my life count, to push forward even when it’s difficult fuels me every day.

So my resilience comes from legacy. It comes from the sacrifices, heartbreaks, and triumphs of the women who raised me. It comes from understanding that I am standing on ground they fought for. And because of them, I don’t quit. I endure. I rebuild. And I continue moving forward with the same determination that shaped me.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a multi-business entrepreneur and creative director whose work sits at the intersection of beauty, culture, hospitality, and community. After more than 25 years in corporate finance, I stepped into entrepreneurship full-time to build spaces that reflect my true gifts in design, storytelling, hospitality, and experience creation. Today, I operate several ventures, each rooted in the mission of helping people feel seen, celebrated, and inspired.

I am the owner and founder of Casa de Flora Bar, a floral café and experiential event space based in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Casa is known for its immersive aesthetic, curated brunch experiences, and our signature Sip & Clip® “Make Your Own Bouquet” activity. What makes Casa special is that we don’t merely serve food, but we create moments. People travel from across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to celebrate birthdays, bridal parties, baby showers, and milestones in a space that feels magical and full of joy.

I also operate the Ritz-Walton Wedding Collection, an award-winning wedding floral and event design firm. This business was my original step into entrepreneurship, teaching me the fundamentals of leadership, system-building, and how to transform creativity into sustainable growth.

One of the most exciting expansions of my work has been the creation of the Holiday Selfie Studio Experience, now in its second year. I co-founded this immersive photo studio with my partner Princess Warren-Jessie, and it has quickly become a beloved seasonal destination for families. The studio is designed to bring people together, parents, children, couples, and friend groups, to make memories in beautifully crafted, themed installations. Every backdrop is intentionally designed to spark imagination, connection, and joy.

What has made the Selfie Studio Experience especially meaningful is the collaboration with local photographers, who have helped elevate the experience and expand what we are able to offer to the community. Their talent has allowed us to provide families with magazine-quality images in a fun, welcoming environment. The response has been overwhelming, and the demand continues to grow.

Because of this success, we are now preparing to expand and open a new production studio and event space, allowing us to build even more immersive sets, host larger experiences, and collaborate with even more creatives throughout the year.

What excites me most about the work I do is the ability to blend creativity with purpose. Whether I am designing weddings, building brands, hosting floral experiences, or creating holiday sets for families, my intention is always the same: to leave people feeling uplifted. My brand is built on resilience, imagination, and the belief that beauty has the power to bring people together.

As I continue growing Casa, Ritz-Walton Wedding Collection, and the Selfie Studio Experience, my focus remains on creating spaces that inspire joy, spark creativity, and allow people to make memories that last a lifetime.

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?

The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, vision, and operational discipline. Each has shaped not only how I build my businesses, but also how I navigate challenges and grow as a leader.

1. Resilience

Resilience has been the foundation of everything I’ve created. There were seasons where I had to rebuild from the ground up, reinvent myself, or push forward with no roadmap and no guarantees. Resilience allowed me to move through adversity without losing my purpose.

My advice:
Resilience is developed through practice. When difficult moments come, and they will, don’t retreat. Lean into them. Embrace problem-solving, ask for help when needed, and remind yourself that every challenge has the potential to sharpen you. Build resilience the same way you build muscle: by refusing to quit.

2. Vision

Everything I have built began as a vision long before it was physical. Casa de Flora, the Holiday Selfie Studio Experience, my wedding design firm, each started as an idea in my heart. Holding onto that vision, even when circumstances were unclear, kept me aligned with my purpose. Vision is what turns creativity into impact.

My advice:
Protect your ideas. Write them down, speak life into them, and surround yourself with people who fuel creativity rather than shrink it. Study your industry, stay inspired, and allow yourself to dream without limitation. Vision grows when you give yourself permission to imagine the life and work you truly want. Don’t listen to the. unbelievers and remember the vision was given to you. So no one will see it like you do.

3. Operational Discipline

Creativity builds excitement, but systems build sustainability. My businesses are successful because I learned how to create structure: processes, workflows, financial discipline, training manuals, customer experience standards, and clear expectations for my team. Operational discipline is the difference between a hobby and a scalable business.

My advice:
Start with simple systems. Document what you do. Track your numbers. Create processes that can be repeated without your constant involvement. Invest in learning operations, customer service, marketing, financial literacy. You cannot scale what you cannot systemize.

Ultimately, success is a blend of heart, strategy, and discipline.
Resilience keeps you grounded, vision keeps you inspired, and disciplined operations keep you growing. For anyone early in their journey, start with these three pillars. Develop them intentionally, and they will support you through every chapter of your entrepreneurial and creative life.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I pause and create space to breathe, reassess, and realign. As an entrepreneur juggling multiple businesses and creative projects, overwhelm is inevitable, but I’ve learned that how I respond determines whether I spiral or strengthen.

The first thing I do is step back and get still. I give myself permission to pause without guilt. That moment of quiet, whether it’s prayer, a deep breath, or simply sitting in silence allows my mind to reset. I ask myself, “What actually needs my attention right now?” Overwhelm often comes from carrying everything at once instead of focusing on what matters most.

Next, I reorganize my priorities. I break things down into smaller, manageable steps, and remove anything that is not urgent or essential. This helps me regain clarity and control. I also lean on systems calendars, checklists, and clear processes to lighten the mental load.

I’ve also learned the power of asking for support. As entrepreneurs, we often try to do everything alone, but overwhelm is a signal that it’s time to delegate, communicate, or bring in help. When I share the weight, I move forward with greater strength.

Finally, I take time to pour back into myself whether it’s rest, listening to worship music, or spending time with people who bring me peace. Replenishing my spirit is not optional; it’s part of how I sustain my ability to lead.

My advice:

Pause before you push. Clarity comes from stillness.

Break things down. Overwhelm shrinks when tasks feel manageable.

Ask for help early, not late. Support is a strength, not a weakness.

Prioritize rest. Your creativity, decision-making, and leadership all depend on your ability to recharge.

Overwhelm is not a sign that you’re failing it’s a sign that you’re growing. With the right strategies, it becomes a guide that teaches you how to move forward more intentionally and with greater confidence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.casadeflorabar.com
• Instagram: casadeflorabar
• Facebook: maritza walton