Many would agree that flowers are a timeless expression of love. Whether in celebration, moments of grief, times of illness, or at the union of two people, flowers are ever present—there to convey emotions words often cannot.
Personally, I’ve always cherished the act of giving and receiving flowers—my favourite way to express and feel love.
So I began to form a habit of buying flowers for myself. They brighten the room, infuse it with life, and bring with it a touch of love to my home. When I do, I make an effort to support local and smaller businesses, while also seeking affordable options so I can indulge in this simple joy more frequently.
One Sunday afternoon in Seminyak, I decided to search for a flower shop my friend had mentioned—a small place she’d spotted along Sunset Road. Despite little information, and knowing that many shops close on Sundays, I made my way there. To my relief, the Gods were kind—the shop was open for business!
Fania Florist is run by Yusuf and his business partner. While his partner was more reserved, Yusuf was the opposite—he himself welcomed probing conversations with open arms. Clearly an extrovert!
As I browsed through the selection of flowers, I struck up a chat with Yusuf. Originally from Sumba, he has called Bali home for the past 20 years. The shop itself, however, is relatively new, having been in operation for just two years.
While I was busy exploring, the shop was alive with customers coming and going. I overheard one placing an order for National Teacher’s Day on Monday—flowers for both male and female teachers. Curious, I asked Yusuf if he often received orders for men and whether he thought men genuinely liked receiving flowers. He chuckled and said, “Of course! Sure, most of the time our customers buy for the women in their lives, but everyone loves flowers, even men!” I giggled at his answer—fair point.
When I asked why he became a florist, Yusuf shared that he had previously worked in a flower shop, where he first learned the art of flower arrangement. Recognising a stable market and an opportunity, he decided to open his own shop.
Our conversation took a personal turn as Yusuf revealed he has two children. But here’s the twist—his eldest is in college, while his youngest is still in kindergarten! I couldn’t hide my surprise, and we laughed together at the unusual age gap. Yusuf explained that it was intentional—he and his wife wanted two children but spaced them out to ensure that they could support both through higher education. A wise and thoughtful approach, I thought, especially in today’s economy.
In between mixing and matching lilies and roses, I couldn’t help but wonder where these stunning flowers came from. “All of these flowers are shipped from Java,” Yusuf explained. “The only ones sourced locally—from Bali—are the houseplants you see out front.”
I prodded some more about his personal life, asking if his daughter had ever shown interest in floristry. Instead, I learned she is pursuing her passion for culinary arts. His pride in her was unmistakable, and it warmed my heart. I pointed out that her culinary craft shares some common ground with floristry—both value visual presentation and artistic decor. He laughed, agreeing with my observation.
Yusuf added, “She also does catering for weddings and events, which often involves collaborating with vendors for decor and venues, including florists. So there’s definitely room for us to work together in the future.” I suggested he consider expanding his business into a father-daughter florist-catering venture in the future, and his eyes lit up at the idea. “I love it!” he exclaimed.
After finishing my bouquet and paying for it, I was pleasantly surprised by the price! For a medium-sized arrangement filled with premium flowers, it costs far less than what I’d expect at a larger shop. Grateful, I thanked Yusuf and asked about their hours since I couldn’t find the shop on Google. He told me that they’re open every day until 7 PM and mentioned they also take last-minute orders or custom requests via WhatsApp. So, if you’re ever in need of beautiful flowers, head to Sunset Road, next to Global Communication Bali, or reach out to Yusuf directly at +62 853 3743 2797!
“Oh! One more question before I leave.” I said, turning back.
He answers, “Shoot away, miss.”
“Your shop is named Fania Florist. Who is Fania?”
He chuckled warmly. “Fania is my daughter’s name, I named the shop after her.”
And if that’s not a real act of love, I don’t know what is.