Presenting

12 FLORIST SPOTLIGHT B January | 2024 FR: Tell us a little about yourself. YB: I was born in Mexico City but grew up in a small town in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, just north of Mexico City. At 31 years of age, I've experienced a remarkable journey filled with travel, international living and encounters with extraordinary individuals. e excitement of grasping opportunities and going on adventures appeals to me. I am a woman who embodies determination, boldness, diligence, creativity and an insatiable appetite for new experiences. I am energized by exploring other cultures; interacting with varied communities; and immersing myself in novel gastronomy, traditions and customs. FR: How did you get started in your career in flowers. YB: I made the decision to change my life in 2019 and left my job as a marketing and communications professional. e plan was to take a few months off and rekindle a relationship with myself, but life had something much better in store for me: flowers! I was drawn to flowers, and I wanted to study floristry and floral design. I asked a florist in my city if I could work with him, and I sensed something special the moment I walked into his workshop. But it wasn't until I used flowers for the first time and tried to "copy" one of his arrangements that I felt a connection to the work and experienced a sense of fulfillment. I was certain that this was what I wanted to do the rest of my life, so, after extensive research, I enrolled at the prestigious London Flower School where I learned not only the fundamentals of floristry but also how to tap into my creativity, use it to its fullest potential and find inspiration in unexpected places or things. After graduating, one of my classmates invited me to work for her family's business. I relocated to Bahrain to take on the position of head florist at the Yousif Qassim Artistic Center (YQ ART), a renowned event design firm known for developing cutting-edge floral décor for interiors and events. I had no experience, but like any challenge-loving person, I leapt at the chance. It was one of the highlights of my life, and everything associated with the experience drove me to become a better floral designer. I got to design and produce floral arrangements for royal weddings attended by more than 1,000 guests in just my first year. I had to return to Mexico before my contract was up due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where I started taking online classes, honing my skills at home, and creating bouquets and arrangements for special events and private clients. I acquired more knowledge, security and experience, which helped me get my current job at a company in Los Cabos. I say that flowers found me and saved me, and I have them tattooed all over my body as a daily reminder. I consider myself lucky to use flowers as a medium in a profession that enables me to communicate my creativity, enthusiasm and perspective on life. By Nita Robertson, AIFD, CFD Yamile Bulos San José del Cabo (Los Cabos) Baja California Sur Mexico @yamilebulos_floraldesigner Bulos was the winner of the "Best Flower Installation" category in FR's 2023 "Picture Perfect Weddings" contest.

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