Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Zardus.
Hi Olivia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually stumbled into the role of a freelance florist 6 years ago. One opportunity led to another, and before I knew it, it had completely snowballed into a career. Through freelancing, I had the chance to work alongside incredibly talented designers and gain experience on a wide range of events.
At the same time, I started a small cutting garden as a creative outlet. What began as a few rows of flowers quickly became a true passion project and has progressively grown larger over the years. Spending time in the garden deepened my appreciation for seasonality, color, and the natural movement of flowers, all of which continue to influence my design style today.
While I loved freelancing, I found my own projects to be the most fulfilling. I realized I was most passionate about creating designs from my own perspective and building something that felt uniquely mine. That eventually led to the creation of MOSAICA, a Michigan-based floral studio specializing in weddings and events. Looking back, the journey wasn’t something I planned, but each opportunity naturally led to the next and shaped the business into what it is today.
The name MOSAICA was inspired by the garden’s tapestry of color and texture. Just as many different blooms and elements come together to create a beautiful landscape, my designs are built by thoughtfully layering various textures, shapes, and details to create one cohesive and artful scene.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. As a creative, the business side of floristry has been one of the biggest challenges for me. Learning how to properly price my work, manage purchasing, and allocate funds in a sustainable way took a lot of intention. I focused on putting systems in place that simplified the numbers and helped me make informed decisions. Once I got my numbers down and had those systems in place, that aspect of running the business became much easier and allowed me to spend more energy on the creative work I love.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I own MOSAICA, a Michigan-based floral studio specializing in weddings and events. My work is rooted in creating artful, naturalistic designs that feel modern, textural, and deeply personal to each client.
What sets me apart is a wide range of experience working on large-scale events, fast paced environments, and alongside incredibly talented designers. Those experiences have taught me how to adapt quickly, problem solve in real time, and feel confident handling just about any situation.
I’m also someone who genuinely values the creative process. I love collaborating with clients who are looking for something unique rather than something expected. While every event has practical needs, I believe the most memorable designs come from trusting creativity and allowing space for artistic interpretation. I enjoy taking a concept, a feeling, or a color palette and translating it into florals that feel distinctive and personal. Those are the projects that excite me most, the ones where clients are looking for something thoughtful, unexpected, and creatively driven.
What I’m most proud of is staying true to my artistic vision. I’m grateful to connect with clients who are aligned with that approach and who value thoughtful, intentional design. Working with people who trust the process and appreciate the artistry behind it has been one of the most rewarding parts of building MOSAICA.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There are many people who deserve credit for my journey. I’m especially grateful for the years I spent freelancing full time and the wide range of companies and teams that continue to bring me on for freelance work. Those experiences not only shaped my skill set but also introduced me to some of the most talented designers, planners, and production teams in the industry.
The network of colleagues and friends I have today really wouldn’t exist without those travel freelance jobs and shared event experiences. I’ve learned so much from working in so many different environments, and I feel fortunate to still collaborate with many of those same people.
I’m also grateful for the clients and creative peers who have supported MOSAICA and trusted my work along the way. That community has played a huge role in both my growth and the continued success of the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mosaica.llc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mosaica
Image Credits
Self Portrait: Mia Elaine Photo
Photo 1: Marissa Dillon Photo
Photo 3: Shirley Photography
Photo 4: Northern Native MI
