Kayla and Heather - wedding dream team - happy to be in their new shop, Raumati. Photos by Siaosi Photography.

If we had to pick a phrase to describe these two wonderful human beings? Dream team.

When an extremely talented floral designer and a true beauty expert join forces, you know things are gonna be good. Heather from Posybloom Floral Design and Kayla from KS Beauty Studio have teamed up and opened the doors of their shiny new premises in Raumati - and boy oh boy, we are in love. Their space is filled with all things beautiful (plant lovers, you’ll adore this spot), and for those of you deep into your wedding planning, it’s a must-see.

What better time then, we thought, to get to know these two a little bit better?

Heather in her new floral design shop, Raumati. Siaosi Photography.

FIRST OFF, WHERE DID IT ALL BEGIN?

Heather: I have loved flowers ever since I was big enough to toddle into the garden and smoosh my face in my mums flower gardens. Always raiding the garden and making my own bouquets to put on the table, or surprise mum with a little jar of flowers on her bed side table It's always been my happy place, and always been a joy to see the happiness flowers bring to other people. I even knew right from primary school age that I wanted to be a florist and own my own flower shop one day.

After a slight detour doing a fashion design course when I was 18, I realised this was definitely not my calling. I decided my true passion was still flowers (I'm that annoying person who identifies flowers out in public when no one asked haha!) and I bit the bullet and did my floristry qualification in 2011 with my 18 month old daughter in tow. After working for a few different florists and gaining a decent amount of experience, I took some time out being a stay at home Mum after our second child was born. We moved to Kāpiti from Upper Hutt 4 and a half years ago and bought a house with a wee separate studio, it was then I decided to start doing bouquets from home. Things have grown rapidly from then, to the point where I outgrew the studio and a retail shop was always the big dream, so now here we are!

Kayla in her new beauty studio, Raumati. Photos by Siaosi Photography

Kayla: Growing up I was always 'the friend who painted nails, dyed-hair, and applied makeup' so it was only natural that I would head towards this industry! I graduated from Elite International School of Beauty in 2011 and from there I worked in a busy well-known salon in Wellington City. After working in the city centre for a number of years I then moved my career to my home in the Kāpiti Coast where I have lived for 17 years.

In 2018, after a drive to specialise in my passion (being precision brows and designer lashes), Kayla Stephanie Beauty was established. My clients are my canvas in which I transform into my artwork. I pride myself in perfection. Having a beauty therapy background gives me an added advantage to creating the best brows and lashes according to your face shape, features, and skin type! Learning and up-skilling is a passion of mine so you can always be certain that you are in the best hands with the most up to date treatments. I hold my clients close to my heart and I always look forward to taking them through their treatment journey.

Kayla and Heather in front of their new business premises in Raumati - Siaosi Photography

HOW DID THE TWO OF YOU COME TO JOIN FORCES AND SET UP SHOP TOGETHER?

Heather: Kayla and I met at the Pop up business school in Kāpiti 2 years ago. We already knew of each other through mutual friends but officially met at the course and hit it off immediately. Our businesses took a similar growth course and we both outgrew our home spaces at the same time. We threw the idea of opening a retail space around for a little while, and just felt like our two businesses could really thrive off each other.

Both being in the wedding industry we worked together on weddings several times and we thought, how cool if we could combine this and offer a location where brides can come and get their flowers and wedding makeup done all in one space. After grabbing a coffee together at the Remedy coffee cart in Raumati one day back in July, we noticed the antiques shop had vacated and someone was in there painting and freshening it all up. So we did some enquiring and and jumped on the space before anyone else had a chance to snap it up.

WHAT HAS 2020 TAUGHT YOU?

Heather: To dream big and work hard at achieving those goals. It's all possible with the right mindset, the right people around you and plenty of hard work. Don't live your life worrying about the "what if's."

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE KAPITI COAST?

Heather: The people! It is just the friendliest place, everyone is so warm and welcoming and genuinely happy to see you. We have had the nicest welcome to the village from all the locals. Its been the loveliest experience and really put our minds at ease after wondering if we were crazy for jumping into this during all the Covid craziness.

Find yourself out and about in Kāpiti? Pop in and see Heather and Kayla’s gorgeous new space at 22 Raumati Road!
You can also visit them online at Posybloom Floral Design and KS Beauty Studio.

All images by Siaosi Photography, words put together by the talented Deanna Walker.

Beauty and blooms in Raumati