Meet Sanya Lakhani | Creator of Farishta Flowers & Goods

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

Hi Sanya, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m a Pakistani-American baker and florist based in NYC, the owner of Farishta Flowers & Goods, artist behind whimsy flower arrangements and creator of unique cake flavors – but most importantly, daughter to my angel mother, whom this business is named after. Farishta is my mother’s maiden name and means “angel” in Farsi. As a Pakistani-American family living in Texas, my mother felt that it was important to introduce me to the spices of our home country and teach me how to care for our garden from an early age. I’ve created this business to share the beauty that comes when flowers and food work in harmony. As I’ve come to terms with my identity so far in life, I realize how much beauty there is in my Pakistani roots. When someone chooses to work with me, they should see a reflection of my background in the way I carry myself, the flavors I use, and the art I make, because ultimately it’s a reflection of me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always felt a calling to create beauty out of things I admire, nature being at the top of my list. The world has an immensely purposeful way of placing certain flora in distinct ecosystems intended to serve both in a mutually beneficial way. But what if we take flowers that we wouldn’t see typically grow together in the natural world and understood how the colors, textures and dimensions could compliment each other in an arrangement? Or what if we were to re-create the undeniable beauty of a rosebush, but this time putting it in a different context, say on top of a rooftop in Manhattan? I originally started this business to work with flowers in a creative, out-of-the-box way, that mimics the beauty of nature while still being extremely intentional & playful; but now I’m coming to understand that beauty is absolutely essential to our existence and making art is such an honor – it’s is what motivates me to continue creating.

Starting this business, completely self taught has been a considerable challenge, sometimes more uncomfortable and demanding than I could’ve imagined. There have been many more obstacles, some of which include, building a community and customer base from scratch, working from my tiny NYC apartment for 9 months, walking up and down 3 flights of stairs with buckets of flowers in hand, or navigating a truck through manhattan during rush hour. I can go on about how this business has tested me, but to be honest, I’ve never had a clear image of where I wanted this business to take me and I think there’s been a ton of beauty in that. I am able to navigate unknowns better because I have an open mind, I’m able to pursue new opportunities instead of putting myself in a bubble, and I’m able to problem solve when there’s no clear answer. After every hurdle I’m faced with, I’ve learnt something new that makes me a better artist, businesswoman, and person.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It’s always lovely picking up some coffee and pastries at a local bakery or cafe nearby! If I’m near Williamsburg, I’ll go to Devocion and walk along the water at Domino park to people watch, but I used to live in Park Slope where I would pick up a chocolate croissant and admire the brownstones and all of the historical architecture in that neighborhood. There’s also no better feeling that going on the ferry during sunset, feeling the breeze in my hair and choosing a terminal in a neighborhood I’ve never explored before. At night, hitting up a jazz club, Blue Note, being one of the most famous in NYC!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When studying in South Africa, I was introduced to the African philosophy that has changed the way I live every day. It’s called Ubuntu. One can describe it as a feeling of belonging, the knowingness that it’s impossible to be human all by myself, because my humanity is inextricably bound up in your humanity; therefore, my compassion, light and kindness affects you and everyone else I meet. I want everyone who comes across Farishta Flowers & Goods to feel a sense of Ubuntu, a connection and a knowngless that we’re all human together.

Website: https://farishtaflowers.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farishtaflowers/

Image Credits
– Nick Glover – Paola Oliveros – Edith Ann Photo – Gabe Suazo – Nivedha Meyyappan