We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Almaraz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After working retail for 10+ years I felt stuck and I wasn’t getting the creative fulfillment I craved. I always made bouquets for other people as gifts but never thought about it as a career until stumbling upon some amazing florists on Instagram. I wanted to incorporate my own style and provide flowers for those who have the same niche interests, the alternative & horror community, and everyone in between. That’s how Final Girl Florals was born.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I see flower arrangements as works of art, almost like sculptures, and I love a theme. Whether it’s a movie, a band or a style, a theme could be pitched to me or I have one in my head and I will interpret it into the flowers I buy and how I arrange them. I love horror movies, especially the ones with a final girl trope (hence the business name) and want to interpret them in floral form. I love customizing focal flowers like anthuriums and orchids with flower safe spray paint and accessories to fit whatever theme or look I’m going for.
I work with both fresh and dry flowers, dry flowers being my main focus when I do flea markets and events because it’s easier for me while working a full time job. These events have helped me grow my business along with the help of my friends & family sharing my work. When I first started, I definitely tried to fit in more with what other florists were doing and I feel like I lost the reason why I started my business. The events I’ve done have been alternative or spooky themed and these have helped me have a space in that community like I wanted. I’ve really found my own style and couldn’t be happier with my work now. But there is always room for growth!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d definitely bring them with me on a morning flower run to the Original Los Angeles Flower Market in DTLA, then eat the best breakfast across the street at Poppy + Rose! Also a day in Burbank to visit the Mystic Museum, Halloweentown, and all the other fun stores on Magnolia Blvd.
Honorable mentions are the Mar Vista Farmers Market, Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood and BakedBar in Culver City.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t have been able to start this business without the help of my partner, Josh, Mr. Final Girl Florals! I would also like to shoutout my mom and the rest of my family & friends for all their support since the day I started. My best friend/event helper, Michelle, and everyone who has ever supported me in person or online, I appreciate each & every one of you so much.
And of course, all the florists I admire that made me realize there is more to flower arranging than what you see in grocery stores.

Instagram: finalgirlflorals

Other: tik tok: finalgirlflorals

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