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

Hi Niloo, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, for as long as I could remember I had a feeling that owning my own business would be the only path for me. I just wasn’t sure what that would look like until recently! I started in the corporate world working for big slow-moving companies while trying my hand at a few side hustles, but never had the time to truly commit to make any of them work. It wasn’t until I was planning our wedding in Southern France that I realized how much I enjoyed the process, especially when it came to design. I’ve always loved to host and throw parties, but never had the opportunity to plan an event at this scale.

As the planning process continued I grew very close with Flavia, the owner of La Maison Dautel and our wedding florist. I was asking her for some tips on an arrangement I had made for myself when she asked, “have you considered being a florist?” I had never thought of florals as my path forward especially, after explaining to her my struggles with being hired as a freelancer. How was I possibly going to learn all the things I needed to know? I didn’t have the disposable income to purchase thousands of dollars of flowers to practice large installations (my favorite part of design) and pay to have professional photos taken. She suggested I come to France for the summer wedding season and apprentice with her. So, in an unhinged moment, I gave notice to my job, hopped on a plane and went to France to start my journey and have never looked back!

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Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Typically I see most floral designers and businesses in general targeting a certain industry or niche. It seems really common for designers to get known for one type or style of work, and then only getting clients that want them to deliver that same thing over and over again. I love variety, creating new designs, and am always looking for a challenge. I couldn’t image ever scaling in a way that’s just plug and chug! It’s taken a lot of dedication, consistent drive, and intentional curating to create a diverse portfolio that can represent all of my talents while keeping the aesthetic cohesive. Even though I have many different interests, each and every design has to shout “Niloo did this!”
Sometimes it can be a struggle, but I’ve never felt so good about something in my life! I can’t even describe the overwhelming amount of love I’ve felt from people interacting and connecting with my work! I hope to continue to surprise the world with new designs and WOW moments no matter the occasion or event!

Some of my proudest moments have been working with Adrienne Stoker Interiors to shoot some of her completed projects for her brand showcase, opening day florals for a new boutique called Space Queen, and working closely with the production team at Roycebee Creative to design a large botanical installation for the REI Westside Outside Festival.

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Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to to host, cook, and bake for my friends so the first stop would be Your Dekalb Farmers Market to pick up some goodies for the week and to show off one of my favorite gems in the city. The Dekalb parking lot also happens to be the best spot in the city to catch the sunset! Then we’d do some antiquing and vintage shopping. Some of my favorite stores in the city include Space Queen, Decatur Estate and Vintage, Kudzu Antiques, Motherload, Young Blood Boutique, and want to give a shoutout to Highland Row Antiques which will always have a special place in my heart! A few other spots in Atlanta that I love to frequent include, the High Museum of Art, Little Tart Bakeshop, Star Provisions, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Fish Mongerer, Talat Market, SoSo Fed, and the Grant Park Farmers Market.

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The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without Flavia Dautel of La Masion Dautel my career and business would be nowhere near what it is today! Flavia invited me to go live with her family in France and apprentice with her during the summer, working luxury weddings in some of the most gorgeous venues I’ve ever had the chance to visit! Apprenticing with Flavia and her team taught me about mechanics and provided the opportunity to work on large installations, learn about flower care, business side and pricing, and most importantly how to be a good leader! In my previous life in the corporate world I was mostly in leadership positions, and honestly have never had a boss I respected and learned from nearly as much as Flavia. The amount of love and empathy she shows for her team is a model for how I want to run my business and team! She is a total badass and I’m so grateful that we have formed such a wonderful relationship that I’m sure will last a lifetime!

Website: niloo.flowers

Instagram: niloo.flowers

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Image Credits

Bathtub + Interior Photos | Nicola Harger
Fireplace | Nicola Harger

REI Photos | Bosa Nova
Space Queen (blue tulips+colorful storefront) | Emily Jahr
Me holding bouquet | Jillian Adams
Bride Swooning | Maddi Waldo

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.