Say Sukii: Trusting Your Intuition, Creating With Florals And Thinking Positively

Sukii is one of the brightest souls I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  I am so certain that her determination to be the best human possible will impact the lives of our generation and spread positivity in our world in a way that is so unique to her. Say Sukii is so much more than a floral company, and you will soon understand why I find her to be an inspiration to entrepreneurs and ambitious mothers everywhere! This interview is full of insight on what it means to be a role model to your children, trusting your intuition, and taking the plunge even in the face of doubt.

How did the Say Sukii story begin?

The Say Sukii story started a couple months before my 25th birthday. A lot of people freak out when they approach 25. They begin to think "Oh, shit things are about to get real. What do I have to show for my life?" and I was the same way. I began to get overwhelmed and reflect what I had to show for myself. At that time I had a great job, I worked 9-5 doing inside sales at a great company and had paid benefits; it was great. I did like it, but I knew it wasn't me. I began meditating a lot and reflecting on myself and realized I wanted to create a brand for myself. At first I thought about just launching a blog, but then it hit me-I can sell flowers! The idea literally hit me overnight but I knew that, however I did this it had to be me. It couldn't be a conventional flower shop or anything that's already being done so I really brainstormed on the concept for a while.About 3 months before my birthday (November 19) I made a promise to myself and pledged to have all of my ideas figured out. I don't know how I did it, but by my birthday I made it happen.  I had launched my website, filed my LLC, and decided on a logo. It just all came to fruition really really quick.

Does SaySukii mean anything?

Yes! Suki is a nickname that I've had since freshman year of highschool. It's not my birth name-my actual name is Melissa.No way! Yup! If you met me after 9th grade, you know me as Suki-unless you're writing me a check.

Who gave you the nickname? 

One of my highschool friends! The idea behind it was to find "ghetto" nicknames for each other, so Sukii was supposed to be like the ghetto Chinese nickname. Funny thing is it's not even Chinese, it's Japanese! After a while I actually looked up the definition of Suki and loved it because in Japanese it's used as a term of endearment. In Japan they don't say "I like" or "I love" they say Suki. I coined the term "Say Sukii" as a way of getting people to say they like or love something. I think people are so afraid to spread love and this is a way of getting people to spread love- through the sharing of flowers.The other meaning is more for me. Not only am I trying to brand myself and all but I am trying to remind myself to be an extremely positive person. I have a daughter who looks up to me, so I have to make sure my life is worth watching. Plus, you never know if you'll be an inspiration to anybody else.

Had you started any business prior?

No! I guess if it's all right for you, and in a divine order, it all falls into place.

How long has it officially been since you launched Say Sukii?

November 19, 2016, officially made 1 year. Since it falls on my birthday I decided to throw a Gratitude Brunch which was cool because my big thing is gratitude. You've just gotta be grateful for everything that you have. If you have 10 people rockin' with you that's your team, and you've gotta make sure they know you appreciate them because without them you're nothing. Because of them, I was able to quit my job and I'm just so grateful that they actually care or that they want to listen.

How did you begin marketing and branding yourself to make sure that you would have the funds to quit by your deadline?

It was really just social media. That's actually something I'm battling with because this is a small business start-up, so it's just me. I don't have money to hire anyone to do real marketing. Luckily, I live in 2017 and social media is life, so I just try to do that and network a lot. Networking is a big deal for me. Meeting people and having that dynamic is great because word of mouth works wonders. I know I don't have a ton of followers or anything but I want everything to be organic and real. I know my time is going to come when it comes.

I think a lot of people are at this cusp where they have a great idea and they're on the brink of making a decision, but they don't really know what feelings to take seriously. At what point did you decide I have to put in my 2 weeks notice now. Was it an experience or something that someone said that made you realize you couldn't wait anymore? 

It was a couple of things, but I think the main thing is that everything I did felt so right. I was putting in so much work, and to see the outcome of it all just felt meant to be. You can go to work everyday and not feel good and I just didn't want that for myself anymore. I want to live life, be happy and feel good! And the fact that I have a child boosts me more because I want her to have someone to look up to, and I want to be that person. I want her to see me as the person that was strong enough to quit her job to be happy. And look, it's not easy. It's never going to be easy for anyone who is trying to do this, but there are so many things you'll just never know unless you jump. I ultimately just trusted the feeling I had. There was nothing anyone could tell me to change my mind; my family and some of my friends were totally against it, but eventually I just stopped trying to explain myself. I completely understood and respected their view but they didn't know what I felt inside and nobody knows me better than I do. If you don't trust yourself you end up fucking up a lot-you've just gotta do it.The difference between the winners and the losers are just those who listen to that feeling, and I know we all have it because everybody is good at something. I think what also helped me was that I was not afraid to struggle, I was ok with that but most people aren't. People don't want to struggle. They want to be comfortable, they want to make sure they have every end met, and it's not always like that. You've just gotta believe that it's for you and find a way. Constantly vibrate higher and make that the priority. Finally make yourself the priority! Being a mom made it kinda hard for me to do that because it's not really my role, but then I realized that my well being is hers too. If I'm not happy or content with my job then she'll pick up on it. Things have happened within the past year that have made my daughter so excited. Once I heard her tell someone "my mommy works for herself and when I grow up I'm going to have my own business too". When I heard that I was like...wow...that's a confirmation that I'm doing the right thing.

I think that parents especially have a hard time taking the plunge because they always think back on the risk of not having the means to provide enough for their kids. 

I get it, and I am blessed because I have a great support system, and I know that definitely makes all of this easier. One thing I will say is that you have to get good at asking for help because you will never get everything done by yourself. Know your team and use their help whenever you can. Obviously, you have to make sure that you are able to give them something in return because it's a two-way street, but if you find your tribe they'll help you get ahead. Go out there and find your community.

I think that's a great point. Finding community is really important in all of this, but I think many have begun to only seek what they can get out of each other to an extent that's not healthy. There are people out there seeking genuine connections like the ones you seem to have. If you do so intentionally, what kind of environments or situations do you look for to facilitate these relationships? 

I don't think I became intentional about it until recently, I guess it's just with the coming of age. I try to surround myself with people who are doing shit for themselves-people who have a vision. There are a lot of people who don't have a vision for themselves and you'll go in circles trying to talk to them. They just don't get it, they can't see it! You and I can be doing two completely different things, it's just about doing something and create something for your own. When you find people like this you naturally want to support them because you can relate to the grind. A lot of things I do revert back to how I became after becoming a mom. I see things so differently now. I usually think about how I can do things to better the next generation. I have a child that's going to hopefully be here years and years after I'm gone, I have to make sure that whatever I'm doing right now is going to be good for her, her, friends, and your future kids later.

Now that I have the background of Say Sukii and understand that everything you do is with a purpose I'm curious to know what your vision is with flowers and incorporating positivity into the community. How do you plan on going about that? 

I try to keep everything genuine. Everything I do is with love. People tell me that I need help with my company but I'm very protective of it, it's personal. I deliver arrangements myself because this is all about human connection! The click and add to cart setup of ProFlowers, for example, is something I hate! You literally order something to be replicated exactly as it is in the photo and that's so whack to me. It's mass produced and takes the element of human connection out of the gesture. The way I take orders for my clients is catered to the person it's for. Let's say a client looking to create a bouquet for his wife, I'll have him tell me what kind of flowers she likes, what colors, and his budget. After that, it's up to me to show my artistry and create something she'll like! I love that my clients trust my vision and don't think of me as "just a florist". It'll never be systematic because there will never be a way to recreate a handwritten SaySukii card or the joy that is made when an arrangement is delivered. I really do love being a part of sharing this love, I feed off of it!

When people order flowers online it's obviously done with good intent and is generally a nice gesture, but I don't think people realize how much more personal it can get. I think it'll be very refreshing for people to find out about your services because it's special to know that whoever crafted an already nice gift, did it with love and good vibes.

Oh yeah! I listen to music and light incense whenever I work because it's all a vibe!

How tough do you judge your work? 

I'm so annoying. I'm a perfectionist and that's not good because with flowers you can't touch them too much or they'll get ruined. I'll look at something and be like, nah, then change my mind and rearrange it again over and over until I have that aha moment! I'd say I'm pretty tough overall.

What's your preferred amount of notice for arrangements? How late is too late? 

I prefer 48 hours, but I can take it in 24 hours if need be. I just need orders to be in before 12 o'clock noon so I can plan to get everything I need.

Are there any areas you'd like to infiltrate to get more brand exposure?

Right now I'm trying to get more gigs at festivals and trade shows! I was recently vending at Life in Color and loved it. I want to be at places that have fun things going on! 

Work on your positive thinking and remember that what you speak into your life will really happen, so tell yourself what you want.

Is there something that you wish people knew now that you're living your dreams? How would you advise those who are on the verge of making a decision? 

Oh, that's a hard one. Well one quote that helped me is "the secret to getting ahead is getting started" by Mark Twain. And it's true, everyone has to start somewhere. People want things to be quick, and that's not how it works. You have to put in the work. You have to trust that what you're doing will be for a reason, but people don't trust themselves. Work on your positive thinking and remember that what you speak into your life will really happen, so tell yourself what you want.I am still baffled that I quit my whole job at 25 years old and I have no intention of ever going back. I am doing everything that I can to make sure of it! If you're on the fence about something just jump, there's no easy way this is all hard as fuck. There will be many nights where you will cry and be sad because you feel stuck but you have to know that what you're doing is for a greater purpose. If you get in your head about it then you won't actually do it.

What do you say to the excuse that people don't have the money to quit the job they hate to follow their dreams? 

Well I mean I don't know everyone's pocket, but I do know that you spend your money on what you want to spend your money on. If this is something that is extremely important to you, you will find the money to do this. That may be a little too hard for some people, but that's just my mentality. You get what you want. Sacrifice going out to eat, eat at home. Make conscious changes in your life so that you don't make excuses because there's always a way. You're never going to be fully ready, but it always goes along with trusting you. Just remember all of that struggling you're going through now will be worth it later!

You can follow Sukii on Instagram @saysukii and check out her blog at www.saysukii.com.