Welcome to Industry Insider—our new bi-weekly series where we pick the brains of inspiring women shaping the creative world, from florists to curators, and everything in between.
This week, meet Kaiva Kaimins
Floral artist, business founder, author and all-round creative force, Kai is the visionary behind LoverGirl, a global flower studio and school inspiring a new wave of creativity through floristry. What began as Ladygarden in 2020 has blossomed into a full-scale creative universe, where flowers are used as an artistic medium to push the boundaries of traditional floristry through installations, workshops, brand activations, and a sellout online flower school.
Now based in Lisbon, Kai manages her business remotely, teaches internationally (from Mexico City to Australia), and is currently building her second venture, Dual Citizen. With a Forbes 30 Under 30 nod and collaborations with Gucci, Dior and Netflix, she’s not just growing a blooming beautiful brand, she’s creating a world where florals meet fine art.
Here, we chat to the flower boss about burnout (and bouncing back), creative pivots, her signature bandanas, and everything in between.
HOW I FOUND MYSELF IN THIS JOB…
I moved to London (from Australia) at 18 and was a nanny – what was meant to be a gap year turned into 11 years of living abroad. I studied floristry on a whim, after my mum put pressure on me to study. Between studying floral design, interning and working in flower shops I developed my skills between London and New York and kind of fell into starting my own business five years in! So it all happened a bit by accident.
MY MORNING KICKS OFF…
I’ve taken a real 180 in my daily routines in the past year as I’ve been recovering from a pretty intense burnout! I manage my business remotely for the most part so my morning alarm often goes off at 8/8.30 but if my body needs rest, I let myself sleep in! I work best with two to four hour productivity blocks and I like my mornings slow… coffee in my kitchen and putting on some music to match my mood.
MY KEY RESPONSIBILITIES…
I’m the creative director and founder of LoverGirl, I also manage all our partnerships and social media. I’d say the main pillar is creative direction, floral design and composition and social media are my main focuses. I’m also building a second business called Dual Citizen which has me doing every role for the next year at least… community building, event planning, product design – so there’s lots to do!
THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR MY ROLE ARE…
Experience in the floral field, social media skills and managing people. Also managing things that (always) go wrong on site – problem solving and staying calm is a strong skill I’ve developed!
THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT MY JOB IS…
People thing floristry is easy. It’s hard work, physical labour, long hours – but it’s also very rewarding, you’re surrounded by colour and beauty in the studio and is incredibly romantic.
THE BEST PART OF MY JOB IS…
The way flowers make people feel.
HOW I UNWIND AFTER WORK…
The ocean is my calm space. Dive in head first and have a juicy peach after a swim. Calms my nervous system!
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS, I’D BE…
I think I’ll likely pivot and have several careers in my life – I see them as chapters. I’d love to do something in the food world!
MY PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT SO FAR…
Which achievement still gives you goose-bumps? Forbes 30 under 30 in art and culture in 2024!
MY MOST-USED EMOJI AT WORK…
THE BEST PIECE OF CAREER ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED…
Fail quickly. Learn from what didn’t work, try again. Nothing is going to be perfect the first time around. Keep going. Put your ego aside and learn.
MY SIGNATURE STYLE AT WORK…
A bandana to keep my hair out of my face!
To discover more about Kai and her exciting ventures, follow her on Instagram here, explore her business LoverGirl here, and stay tuned for her next project, Dual Citizen, here.
