As the founder of a growing business, 2025 asked more of me than any year before. I gave it everything I had—and it gave even more in return. It was the year Florra found our footing and, most importantly, discovered our reason for being.
Florra began as a retail store for self-care lovers, and self-care will always be our cornerstone. In 2025, one form of self-care emerged as our main driver: scent. What started as a sanctuary for self-care has grown into a sanctuary for scent—a place where you can care for yourself while sharing the experience with a best friend, a date, a mom, or anyone who brings joy into your life.
This is our reason for being here. It’s not about what we offer, but what it evokes—joy, laughter, creativity, sensuality, and aliveness. 2025 taught us that our space was made for these experiences.
As the year comes to an end, I’m reflecting on this pivotal year, one that I believe will shape our store and brand for years to come. It wasn’t about transformation so much as removing what we weren’t to reveal the core of who we are. This clarity and focus made 2025 a year full of milestones and momentum—moments that marked our growth and set the stage for what’s ahead.
March: Florra Turned 2
2025 marks our third year in business. Though still young, it already feels like a lifetime of growth, challenges, and lessons—and more lessons. The first years are the most delicate in any business, and as the founder, I’ve watched myself evolve: from a bold, hopeful dreamer to a grounded businesswoman, holding the dream in one hand while navigating the very real risks that young businesses face. With each passing year, I am grateful for the privilege of getting up every day to work on my dream business.
July: Scent Bar Goes Local Viral
We launched the Scent Bar last year, and while the launch was amazing and people started to come, we weren’t expecting what it became this July. Over the summer, several of our posts went locally viral on TikTok and Instagram—and everything changed. The Scent Bar became fully booked on weekends, event inquiries started rolling in, and just like that, Florra became the home of the Scent Bar. No longer just a self-care boutique with a scent nook, we’ve evolved into the go-to destination for scent lovers, especially those seeking clean, natural fragrances. Seeing how far it’s come this year has been one of the most exciting moments of my journey with Florra.
October: Body Oil Bar Launch + New Bar
Even before the Scent Bar began taking off, my mind was already swirling with ideas for what it could become. After hearing customer requests for body oils—and inspired by my own love of nourishing skin with natural botanicals—I decided to expand our offerings to custom body oils. But these wouldn’t be just any oils: they would be 100% natural, made entirely from plants and essential oils. Months of planning, research, crafting, and even becoming an aromatherapist myself led to the Body Oil Bar launch in October. Along with launching the new bar, we expanded from 5 seats to 9, giving guests even more space to enjoy the experience. The event was a huge success—celebrated alongside local small business partners, our incredible Florra team, and, most importantly, our community. The Body Oil Bar launch was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year.
December: Florra Goes to Pinterest HQ
They say success is where preparation meets opportunity. If the Body Oil Bar launch was our preparation, opportunity certainly came knocking. Right on the heels of the launch, we were invited to activate our Body Oil Bar at Pinterest’s End of Year Party—not at one, but two locations: San Francisco and Palo Alto. That evening, we served more than 400 guests, creating an unforgettable experience and showcasing the reach and excitement our community has helped us build. What stands out most to me is how the Florra team came together—not just that night, but during months of preparation leading up to the event—to deliver an experience we could all be proud of. I’m grateful for our wonderful team—their dedication, creativity, and heart made this milestone possible.
And so, as the year comes to an end, my heart is full of blessings, making the lessons feel small in comparison. It wasn’t without challenges—business is always a challenge, a marathon that never ends. But I don’t see challenges as negative; I see them as trials meant to forge and strengthen us. And just as the business has transformed, so have I, growing alongside it every step of the way.
From the bottom of my heart, and from all of us at Florra, I wish you and your loved ones the warmest holiday season, filled with care, special moments, and so much joy.
With love and blessings for the New Year,
Thuy
Florra’s 2025 Year in Review: Milestones & Momentum
Featured articles
I’ve always felt like a modern woman with an ancient soul. My life feels like a paradox. Busy days on...
Your perfume is more than a beautiful scent. It is an expression of who you are: your mood, personality, emotions,...
As a child, I used to pick rose petals from the garden with my sisters. We would gather them into...