Presenting

12 Florist Spotlight April | 2023 FR : Are you open to retail or strictly an event florist? MDVY: I started my floral journey focusing on events only, but during the COVID pandemic, I had to pivot to survive—and AVS Flowers was born, which added a retail store and e-commerce to my portfolio. I initially tested a retail pop-up flower and plant shop at e Mall at Short Hills in Millburn, N.J., for a few months in 2021. It did so well that when my term ended there, I opened a larger version of the store at the Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus. We also ship flower arrangements, plants, and home and office accessories nationwide, and I would like to expand that with more textiles, decorative items and artworks for the home that I would curate from other countries and cultures. Honestly, though, I do not like retail at all, and I believe that I will eventually return to doing events only. Flower bouquet subscriptions will be the closest I get to retail. In addition to that, my business has provided me with opportunities to travel extensively and to continue my education by going to conferences, flower farms, etc. e latter enabled me to start a flower export business in the Caribbean region a few years ago, delivering flowers to floral designers. FR : What else do you hope to do in the flower industry? MDVY: My goal at this time is to focus on teaching and mentoring. I love business and entrepreneurship. I love plants, flowers, floral design and the wedding-and-event industry. Recently, I became a member of the board of trustees of the French American School of Princeton, a private elementary and middle school in Princeton, N.J. e school provides bilingual, multicultural education from preschool (age 3) through eighth grade, and being a trustee provides me with an opportunity to share my expertise in business, leadership and governance. I am currently developing a calendar of workshops that will focus on those three areas, some of which I hope we can offer in a retreat format, combining relaxation (wellness) and business. I also need to start creating again, and I have plans for publishing a book soon. FR : What types of things inspire you? MDVY: I am inspired by so many things around me, but primarily beauty and nature. I recently listened to a TED Talk, during which the instructor spoke about being a "multipotentialite"—a person with many interests and creative pursuits. I couldn't identify more with that description. I find that I am good at a lot of things, which, I believe, is due to my science training. Science is the foundation for all things, and I find myself being curious about and inspired by just about everything. FR : How do define your floral design style? MDVY: One-hundred-percent gardeny, organic, whimsical and a bit wild, as if to mimic nature. I love large, lush and abundant arrangements, full of blooms, greenery and vines, designed in classic weathered urns. I am an absolute maximalist when it comes to flowers. I have always loved peonies and garden roses, and I also love a good flowering vine—Clematis, Stephanotis, sweet peas and so many more. FR : What advice would you offer to floral designers just starting in the industry? MDVY: You can do it yourself, but seek knowledge to better understand the industry. Also, charge appropriately for your work, time, expertise and creativity ; know your worth, and avoid devaluing yourself and your talent. FR : Of your many accomplishments, which are you most proud? MDVY: Still being in business after 14 years! I have received many accolades over the years, but some key highlights include having one of my floral designs appear on the cover of Florists' Review, a magazine I have idolized since I started to discover my talent with flowers; being named one of the top wedding planners in the world by Harper's Bazaar; my many features in New York magazine; and becoming a member of the board of trustees of the French American School of Princeton.

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