Thousands of small businesses around the world have entered a time of unprecedented uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of them who have been forced to adapt to this new reality are exhibiting extraordinary resilience and perseverance. Melanie Fernandez is no exception.
When Fernandez first started House of Lilac, a flower company, she never imagined her business would grow into what it is today. A Cuban American lawyer from Miami, Florida who was less than thrilled with her job as an attorney, Fernandez was also experiencing the stress that comes with planning a wedding. When she had a hard time finding a designer for her wedding-day menu, she decided to take matters into her own hands, thus sparking the idea for a new business.
She left her job as an attorney and focused her energy on developing her own venture. While she initially focused on the paper goods side of the business, Fernandez soon expanded into the curation of unique special occasion gifts, and the House of Lilac brand was born. In recent years, the company has continued evolving to now include curated floral designs, actively producing beautiful, affordable arrangements for a variety of clients.