Hong Kong entrepreneur Layla Yeung is always on the go with two businesses under her belt – a floristry brand and a jewellery brand. She tells us how she got started with Lafit Florist and how she eventually branched out to creating jewellery too.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
My name is Layla Yeung and I’m someone who has always been interested in art and design. I really enjoy floral arrangements since the process helps me express my thinking.
I studied Business Management at university and worked in marketing companies after graduating. However, I found that I still had a longing to start a business myself. I set up an online shop for myself to gain more experience, and finally, I chose to start up a floristry business.
Every time I create a design that people love, I feel a sense of satisfaction. The reason I keep going on with the business is thanks to the recognition and encouragement from my customers.
What inspired you to start Lafit Florist and Lafit Jewellery?
People who chase after their passion and dreams have always been very inspiring to me and I, too, strive to be someone I would admire every day. To me, the privilege to transform my passion into my career, and continuously to fourish with the industry, takes a lot of hard work and effort. I am more of a doer than a talker, so when I decided I wanted to be a flower arrangement artist, my eyes were set on the prize – I needed to make it my career.
When I started my career, Hong Kong had relatively few flower stores that provided preserved flowers. I boldly decided to try and create a different style of bouquet and sell it online. That’s how the Dreamy-elegant collections became one of the signature bouquets of Lafit Florist.
Flower art to me, serves as a buffer between chaos and brings me peace of mind in my daily life. I would also like to promote romanticism in Hong Kong, as beautiful blooms can bring some much-needed joy to a mundane life. The feeling of being spoiled rotten would make a woman remember and cherish the memories for the rest of her life. This is what I hope my product can bring across.
I am also passionate about jewellery, so launching my second brand, Lafit Jewellery, is very special to me. Every piece of my jewellery tells a story and it is an inseparable part of me and every woman. My goal is to bring the elegance, the happiness that radiates like the fragrance from a flower into my jewellery brand and provide a style that resonates with all women.
As a young girl boss of two brands, what does a typical day look like for you?
Every day is so enriching and different since there is a lot of decision making and planning to be done when you operate a brand. Replying to emails and messages while having breakfast is my morning routine. In the afternoon, I usually have meetings with different parties, including the suppliers. I also enjoy product shooting for my brand. I choose every piece of jewellery and flower personally. By wearing the pieces on my own, I am able to experience how the customers feel, which really helps with product design.
Besides working, I am a newlywed. I’m still learning the ropes of work-life balance. I try to put down my tenseness after work and spend time sharing my day with my husband.
Now that you’re established in the floristry industry, what are your goals or aspirations for your jewellery brand?
I’m so grateful we can bring Lafit Florist to the world and show the true meaning of flower art. We hope every client we met has a remarkable journey with Lafit and together we will embark on a fantastic adventure.
Lafit Jewellery, to me, is a brand about the understated attractive luxury style, a brand that belongs to all women. Jewellery has the power to be the one little thing that makes you feel unique and powerful. There are two lines of my jewellery: fashion Jewellery and fine jewellery. Fashion jewellery is an affordable line and it’s suitable for different daily occasions, such as parties, dates and festive celebrations.
How do you make yourself happy and ritzy in life?
The most important thing is to appreciate what we have. Attitude is everything, being humble and real to others, and also being positive. I believe in the law of attraction – when you truly want something and go after it without limiting yourself. The world will reward you.
It’s hard to avoid frustration and stress, so it’s important to share all the feelings with your other half and friends, in order to relieve the negativity. Focus on your own healthy mind, listen to advice, but don’t lose yourself and change for others.
I like to go to new places or restaurants with my husband when I’m free. I also enjoy planning our day to do something we are both interested in. I tell myself don’t worry too much about my work during my leisure time.
Happiness is simply doing things you truly love and being around the right people. The world needs more kindness and love, so make sure you appreciate others, help people who need your help, because these things will make your life better and happier.
