Today we’d like to introduce you to Olga Nikolaienko.
Hi Olga, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I never planned to become a florist, flowers found me.
What began as a simple love for beauty and creating with my hands slowly turned into something much deeper. I discovered that flowers speak when words fall short. They carry emotion, memory, and meaning, and I knew I wanted to tell those stories through design.
My journey started with a bridal bouquet for my aunt’s wedding. From that moment, I fell in love with learning every stem, every texture, and every season. I spent over 10 years designing florals in Ukraine before moving with my family to Charlotte, where I built my business from the ground up. Over time, passion turned into purpose, and that purpose became LiviLove floral & events designs. Each event taught me more, not only about flowers, but about people, love, and moments that deserve to be unforgettable.
Today, I create floral experiences for weddings and events where every detail is intentional and every design is filled with heart. From intimate celebrations to grand installations, my work is about transforming spaces and capturing emotion, because flowers aren’t just décor, they are feelings made visible. I also host workshops and mentorship programs to support other florists and help them grow in their talent and confidence.
This journey has been built on love, trust, and creativity, and I’m only just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I first started, it was hard to find guidance or places to learn, so I made many mistakes along the way, each one becoming a lesson.
Later, when I moved to Charlotte, even with over 10 years of experience, I had to start almost from scratch. A new market, new expectations, new systems, much of what had worked before no longer applied. At the same time, my family and I were building a new life in a new country with two children, which made the journey even more challenging.
There were moments of doubt and exhaustion, but also moments of growth and clarity. Every obstacle pushed me to learn more, adapt faster, and become stronger, not just as a business owner, but as a person. Looking back, those challenges shaped the foundation of who I am today and how I run my business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I design floral experiences for weddings and events, specializing in elevated, intentional, and emotionally driven florals. My work ranges from intimate celebrations to large-scale installations, arches, statement ceremony pieces, lush centerpieces, and transformative event designs that completely change a space.
I’m known for my attention to detail, refined color palettes, and the ability to translate a client’s story and vision into florals that feel both timeless and unforgettable. I focus not just on how flowers look, but on how they feel, every arrangement is thoughtfully designed to create emotion, atmosphere, and connection.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me during some of the most meaningful moments of their lives, and the fact that my work consistently exceeds expectations while staying true to their vision. I’m also proud of building a business from the ground up in a new country and growing it into a respected brand.
What sets me apart is the combination of deep experience, artistic intuition, and a truly personal approach. I don’t follow trends blindly, I design with purpose. I also share my knowledge through workshops and mentorship programs, supporting other florists as they grow their confidence, skills, and creative voice.
At the heart of everything I do is one belief: flowers are not just décor, they are emotion, memory, and story made visible.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the floral industry becoming more intentional, experiential, and personal. Clients are moving away from “pretty arrangements” toward full sensory experiences, florals that tell a story, create atmosphere, and transform a space emotionally.
Sustainability will continue to play a major role, with a stronger focus on seasonal flowers, local sourcing, foam-free mechanics, and thoughtful design choices that balance luxury with responsibility.
I also see a major shift toward education, transparency, and personalization. Clients want to understand the value behind the work, the artistry, labor, and logistics involved, not just the final look. Technology will continue to support this through digital proposals, visual planning tools, and interactive design experiences that help clients better visualize their events.
Specifically in the Charlotte market, I’ve seen a huge transformation over the past eight years. The city has grown rapidly, expectations have risen, and clients are investing more in elevated, design-driven weddings and events. I believe this market will continue to expand, attracting more destination style celebrations and pushing the industry toward higher creativity and innovation.
At the same time, florists will need to evolve beyond designers into creative directors and experience builders. Those who succeed will be the ones who combine artistry with strong branding, strong systems, and deep emotional connection.
Ultimately, the future of our industry belongs to florists who design with purpose, adapt with intention, and create work that feels meaningful, not mass-produced.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.livi.love/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livilove_flowers/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liviloveflowers/
