We had the good fortune of connecting with Sasha and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sasha, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
One thing about the flower industry that most people are unaware of is that flowers can last an entire year or even longer without the need of water or sunlight. When I tell people that they can have real flower arrangements that last forever with no maintenance, I get a lot of reactions of disbelief and responses that perhaps they are fake. I love to educate my customers about our preserved roses and how they exist. The Eternity roses used at LOVE BOX Flower Boutique are 100% real roses that come from the colorful rose farms of Ecuador. Each rose is carefully cultivated until it reaches a full bloom. Once the rose reaches its peak, it is then cut and then undergoes a dehydration process to preserve the rose. The rose is treated in a mixture that replaces the sap within from the stem to the petals. The result: Our Eternity rose that looks and feels as natural as it did in the rose fields. Lifespan: One year.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am the owner and floral designer of my online flower boutique, LOVE BOX. The story behind my business is between my mother and I. It was a hot Arizona summer in August 2017 when I wanted to give my mom the ultimate custom gift for her birthday. Something personalized and handcrafted by me. Something more meaningful than a store-bought traditional bouquet. Love Box is More Than Flowers. Our products can be easily viewed and purchased online, and we then create a unique, personalized arrangement and delivery it to your loved ones. Love Box may be seen at local pop ups in Arizona, but most of our products are shippable nationwide, which makes us unique than typical flower shops. We are proud to be one of the few shops in Arizona to offer Eternity roses, which have been preserved at the peak of beauty and freshness. With our Eternity roses, a milestone or moment that means the most can be locked in time, and the bouquet can be enjoyed even longer. I want people to remember that with creativity and thought behind a personalized bouquet, moments and memories can be enhanced. I believe that if someone loves flowers, they should be able to enjoy them everyday while they are alive and can smell them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my friends and family visit Phoenix, I like to show them around town and show them the gems of Arizona that they don’t have in their big cities in the Midwest of East Coast. Many of my friends outside of Arizona do not live near mountains, so they are usually interested in hiking. If the weather is nice, I like to take my friends to Papago Park where they can hike the trails and see Arizona’s sunsets. In Scottsdale, I like to enjoy the views at the Sanctuary Resort or coffee shops in McCormick Ranch. If my guests have had enough heat in Phoenix, they can cool down in Fossil Creek, a couple hours’ drive North. Hiking in the Grand Canyon will also lead to a hidden gem of Havasupai Falls, which is an absolute must see.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I believe in the saying that everyone you’ve ever met is actually a part of who you are today. Even your own enemies, without them you wouldn’t have learned the hardship of life. Besides all of the entrepreneurs, professionals and like-minded creators I have met that I have learned from, the person who has truly inspired me to keep going and work toward my goals is my mother. Behind my story is my mother’s story because hers is where mine begins. One of my mom’s superhero qualities is the ability to adapt to any environment or situation. She immigrated from Paris to Mexico and had to learn Spanish. Then she immigrated from Mexico to the U.S. to live with her Serbian grandmother. She had to learn Serbian and English from scratch. Fast forward to present day, my mom continues to adapt to obstacles with no problem such as figuring out public transportation in a foreign country or renting a car and navigating in a country without street signs. My mom is my inspiration for my small business and it was for her birthday when I created my first handcrafted and personalized Love Box bouquet.

Website: www.loveboxaz.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveboxaz
Facebook: Facebook.com/loveboxaz
Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/love-box-scottsdale

Image Credits
Nicole Bowman Photography
Girl About Town
Mimy’s Designs

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