The most remarkable and lovely aspects of being human are the ability to stay inspired, exchange ideas with others, and build a community around creative endeavours. Similar to Temjenjungla Longchar, the founder of Lili&Flo, is one of idea hamster who loves to communicate and brainstorm.
The word “Lili” was inspired by one of Ajung’s favourite flowers, “Lily.” She went on to state that “Flo” is short for Florist and has only two syllables, thereby making it a simple term to remember.
She started her business in Salangtem Ward, Mokokchung in 2019 and launched it officially in 2021. The distinctive selling point of Lili&Flo for weddings is that, no matter the budget, they take great joy in organising the most important day of someone’s life and making it unforgettable.
According to her, they take great care in conceptualizing, designing, and organizing every aspect of a wedding. She went on to say that they offer complete solutions and invest a lot of time in brainstorming with clients to create style scapes.
“We tailor our services to suit client needs. Whether it’s a lavish, extravagant wedding or a small, private gathering; whether it’s something conventional or more avant-garde, we cover it all,”Ajung informed.
Mokokchung Times had a quick chat with the proprietor, Ajung, to know more about Lili&Flo.
MTimes: I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given us. Would you kindly tell us what motivated you to launch Lili&Flo and why you decided to pursue this career?
Ajung: Thank you so much for the feature. This is a platform that was much needed in our town, and we at Lili&Flo feel so honoured to have the opportunity to be interviewed by you.
Anyone who has skill in creation, craft, or planning, such as a florist or business owner, would probably react in the same way. It’s the utter joy you get when you bring happiness to another person. Suchbusinesses weren’t as well known when I was a kid as it is now. The relatives and friends would be involved in the wedding for a full week or perhaps weeks on end. The situation today is different, though. People are starting to realise how practical it is to hire someone to arrange their wedding or other event.
I finally decided to start and test the waters, and it was then that I met the right people who were able to guide me through many challenges and create the Lili&Flo team.
MTimes: It’s incredible to know that you’re involved in a variety of client services. Do you have a team behind you to support your work?
Ajung: We have a highly motivated and skilled team. At present, we have 12 people working at Lili&flo.
- Wedding Planner / Event Manager
- Exhibition Designer
- Asst. Florists
- Wood and Metal Work Artisans
- Spot Boys and Girls
MTimes: Did you receive any formal training? Would you mind sharing any personal experiences?
Ajung: Despite the fact that I am not certified, I have attended a number of online workshops. I also continue to work on other projects with Hami, a design studio. There are many professional designers from various disciplines working there, and working with them has introduced me to the world of formal design.
I believe my creative gene is inherited from both of my parents.I used to help Mom decorate the house for Christmas or arrange the plants and flowers. I’ve always had a fondness for gorgeous things. Everyone does, but I used to become fixated on fairy-tale weddings that I saw in movies and magazines and try to replicate them using any scrap I could find.
I prepare boutonnieres for friends and family members who are getting married. And I was put on the décor team whenever a cousin, friend, or neighbour got married.
And sure, once things start moving, I do hope to be certified.
MTimes: Have you ever collaborated with an event planner?
Ajung: Apart from Hami, I have never worked with an event planner, but I am excited to work with people from our province who share our vision.
MTimes: What, in your opinion, distinguishes your event from others? Are you going to create your own centrepieces? Wedding theme or style, how do you choose that will serve the clients the most?
Ajung: As stated, our goal is ‘Bespoke.’ We strive to tailor our services to our clients’ specific requirements. And with this in mind, we make certain that we tap into the personalities of the bride and groom, including their tastes in movies, clothes, trends, and so on, which is crucial because it gives us a glimpse into their world. And by doing so, we hope to tell “their story”.
We have a very experienced exhibition designer who has worked for some of the company’s biggest names. He’s not doing it for the money, but he believes in our vision. He creates the majority of our designscapes, from themes to mood boards to palettes, and, most importantly, the initial layout in 2D and 3D.
For our clientele, we are currently working on a lot of centre pieces. We can now buy things online more easily because to the booming digital market. We are fortunate to have wood and metal craftspeople who call attention to our standards. We also prioritise utilising the resources available on our property, anything local that can be refurbished and upcycled.
MTimes: How many weddings have you planned? Which of your creations do you think is the most impressive?
Ajung: Well, I had just started, Lili & Flo only catered to rentals. But I had clients asking if I could help them with their arrangements, and they would frequently ask for advice on the type of flowers and colour schemes, etc. This convinced me that I could do this professionally.
Imagine my delight! Something, I’ve wanted to do my entire life, and I could get paid to do it! But the pandemic, coincided with our plan, so we couldn’t really launch full circle.
However, we are happy to report that we have agreements for a few future weddings this season, and some more are still in negotiations.
MTimes: Do you ever experience a creative block? What is your contingency strategy and how do you respond to stress?
Ajung: Wedding planning is a conventional kind of job that requires coming into the office at strange hours of the day. You won’t ever grow bored because there will be brand-new challenges and adventures waiting for you every day.
I do, however, have my times. And that’s when I seek inspiration from other places. Their distinct perspective on wedding planning or any other creative component may provide you new design ideas, prompting you to reevaluate ongoing projects or even provide you with fresh ideas for ideal weddings for your clients
Although the tension can sometimes leave you feeling mentally and physically weary, the excitement for planning helps to settle me down. I recall the previous wedding, the previous church decorations, and the bouquet that made my heart skip a beat and made the recipients grin. I realised then how gratifying it is.
An advice for anyone who might be experiencing brain fatigue. Even if you’re not a fan of flowers, give it a try yourself by planting something or by examining the texture of a certain leaf, bloom, or other flower or plant-related feature. It soothes all of your mental strain and is known as flower therapy.
MTimes: How many client meetings are typically necessary for the planning of a wedding or other event? Do you run any specials?
Ajung: Always start preparing or looking for a planner well in advance of your wedding. This is crucial because it gives us the opportunity to thoroughly examine every aspect.
We hold more brainstorming sessions with the team after the initial meeting. The main task is visiting the site; and the rest follows through till D-Day.
For formal events or other occasions of a different nature, it depends on the significance of the occasion. It just takes two meetings to organise a birthday celebration. Even if it’s a simple event and the client isn’t sure what they want, this cannot be settled in one discussion alone. An extravagant affair will require months of planning. Additionally, it’s acceptable if they are unsure of what they want because we are ready to help them in planning the entire procedure.
MTimes: How do you, as the company’s founder, manage the timing?
Ajung: By day, I work as a facilitator. The most aspects of this type of work do not have set hours; you have the freedom to manage your working hours. You are also your own boss. However, the team that you have is very important in ensuring that one aspect does not intrude on the other.
All of the weekends, evenings, and holidays are worked. So, yes, even on national holidays, especially this year, I haven’t been able to unwind.
MTimes: Would you consider sharing any further pertinent information with our readers?
Ajung: I would like to take this moment to thank everyone who supported my goal, especially all of my clients, family, and friends. Yes, we are still a young company, but we are making progress, and with your support, the road ahead will only go upward.
It’s never too late to put your trust in God because he reveals his purposes for you at just the right time. Therefore, I urge everybody who is considering the concept or holding onto the passion to just do it.It’s never too late to put your trust in God because he reveals his purposes for you at just the right time. Therefore, I urge everybody who is considering the concept or holding onto the passion to just do it. Try it! Just consider the potential outcomes if you put your all into it.
