I had a chat with Sarah Ryhanen, founder of Saipua, and it was a good one. It was like we were hanging out with an excellent glass of rose on one of these unseasonably warm March in New York days — casual, unassuming, heart warming, reassuring and inspiring all at once. Saipua does many things, including flower arrangements for weddings, making olive-oil based soaps and running a farm upstate.
I wanted to bring Sarah on the WELL / AWARE show for a few reasons. The first and most obvious: her incredible flower arrangements. I’ve been beyond knee deep in wedding planning for the past few months, and hers stand out as the most magical, wild and ethereal I’ve come across, ever — and not at all speaking in hyperbole.
Second, Sarah and her partner Eric bought a farm a few years back with the intention of growing flowers that are hard to come by in the market, but they’ve also committed to effecting positive environmental change particularly in an industry that’s traditionally rather wasteful.
And last but not least, Sarah had no formal training in flowers and gardening. She figured it out herself. I find this realized potential to be inspiring and hopeful for those who aren’t enamored with their day to day, but also fascinating, and you’ll hear why in the episode.
Among other things, we talk about:
- her background, the job she did (and got disenchanted with) before starting Saipua in 2006
- the role of “right place, right time” in her success
- the Saipua farm, it’s function and purpose
- work / life balance
- her thoughts on living in city versus the countryside in upstate New York
- what self-care means to her — this is a different kind of self-care, LOVED her answer
- what it’s like to run a business with your life partner
- how astrology has been a consistent support in her life
- what’s better for starting and running a successful business: male or female energy
- finding your voice on social media
- the push and pull of “selling” or doing your passion for a living
- unexpected way to have a creative advantage in any field
This episode has a little something for everyone. The horticulturist, the flower lovers, anyone who’s ever fantasized about packing their bags and simply living on a farm (by the way, they take apprentices). It’s also great for creatives who are looking for some counsel and discourse on how to brand themselves online through social media.
SHOW NOTES
Little Flower School – Sarah is a co-founder
Images courtesy of Sarah via her flickr feed
Thank you so much, Sarah, for sharing openly, bearing with my tardiness and being a part of the project.
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Beautiful photography and the subject matter! This place feels more like a dream than a real place. Nicely done
She gave me a new respect for flowers. I’ve always had the thought of: “Flowers are pretty, but come on…its just flowers.” Her enthusiasm and compassion for the plants was a delight to hear and I’m glad to say my perspective has changed. Thanks for sharing!