This week, we speak to Nicoline Vodsgaard, Co-Founder of Bloom Art, a floral brand based in the UAE.
Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
Drawing inspiration from our Scandinavian roots, we create designs that celebrate simplicity, harmony, and natural elegance. Each arrangement is carefully crafted with high-quality everlasting flowers, offering the joy of fresh blooms without the fleeting nature of traditional bouquets.
Whether you’re looking to brighten your living space or find the perfect gift, Bloom Art brings you floral creations that are as enduring as they are inspiring, pieces that blend seamlessly into modern, mindful living.
So, to delve into her story, Emirates Woman sat down with her to see how it all began as an entrepreneur.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I preferred sports and the more creative subjects, where I could work with my hands and bring ideas to life. However, as I grew older, I developed an interest in math, law, and business economics, a rather unusual mix alongside my creative side.
What was your first job?
I began working part-time when I was about 13 years old. While I was studying, I held several different jobs, working as a waiter on weekends and at a sandwich café during the week. After graduating, I started my first full-time position as a property manager.
What brought you to Dubai?
I moved to Dubai about seven and a half years ago when my husband was offered a job transfer from Denmark. At the time, I was on maternity leave with our youngest daughter, which made the move feel like a natural next step for our family. Settling into life here as a housewife gave me the space to adjust, explore a new culture, and slowly find my own path in this vibrant city.
What inspired you to enter the space and launch your brand?
I’ve always known that I wanted to start my own business one day. When I moved to Dubai, I tried different jobs, but none of them truly felt like me. I’ve always been someone who finds inspiration in everyday moments and sees potential in small ideas. Living in Dubai, I quickly realized how challenging the climate and constant air conditioning can be for plants and fresh flowers. I loved having flowers in our home, but they never lasted long, and week after week, I found myself spending more on new ones. It wasn’t just costly; it didn’t feel sustainable either. Many areas of our home also don’t get natural light, but I still wanted them to feel full of life and warmth. Flowers bring a sense of beauty and comfort that makes a space feel welcoming. One day, while searching for everlasting flowers, I realised I couldn’t find the quality or style I envisioned. That’s when it all came together, there was a gap in the market, and I knew I could create something that combined beauty, durability, and design in a way that truly resonated with me.
Talk us through the concept?
The core idea behind Bloom Art is to reimagine how artificial flowers can be used, offering a fresh and creative approach to their beauty and purpose. We bring high-quality flowers into homes in a new, inspiring way, encouraging people to mix and match arrangements to suit their style and space. Everlasting flowers are not only more budget-friendly over time but also better for the environment. I believe this is something people will increasingly value in the coming years. We all need to take care of our planet, so why not do it in a way that’s fun, inspiring, and beautiful?
What are the key elements of your role?
I started Bloom Art just before the summer break, and I was incredibly lucky that a good friend of mine, Amanda, was moving to Dubai at the same time. Amanda has a great eye for fashion and Scandinavian aesthetics, so it felt like the perfect match when she wanted to partner with me in Bloom Art. Right now, it’s just the two of us running the company, which means we each wear multiple hats. Amanda handles most of the marketing, while I focus on the administrative side. But at this stage, we’re really doing a lot together — collaborating, inspiring, and supporting each other every step of the way.
Talk us through your daily routine.
A day at our startup is always different, but most days begin at the computer, checking orders and engaging with customers who reach out with requests. After that, we pack the orders and prepare them for delivery. Sometimes we create content for our Instagram, other times we update the homepage or follow up on specific requests. We also brainstorm new ways to display and use our flowers. Our learning curve is very steep right now. We’re constantly figuring out what sells here in Dubai, how to best reach our customers, and how to improve the visuals on our homepage. Some days are fun and creative, while others are more routine and focused on computer work. At this stage, we’re both juggling many roles, and we enjoy developing our business in this hands-on, dynamic way.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
I would always encourage people to embrace new adventures. Even now, I’ve learned so much, and I’ve been able to apply my skills in entirely new ways. Starting a business in Dubai is very different from doing so in my home country. At first, I was confident that we could directly transfer our Danish style to Dubai, but I quickly realised that adaptation was necessary and that it takes time to understand the local market. This also meant expanding our assortment with different flowers and colors to accommodate the diverse tastes and styles here in Dubai.
Tell us more about the products & services?
We create beautiful, handcrafted flower bouquets made from high-quality artificial blooms. Because our flowers are not real, the possibilities for how they can be used and styled are endless. We offer both ready-made bouquets and individual stems, giving customers the freedom to design their own arrangements. Many of our customers reach out for styling advice, and we love helping them create unique pieces that suit their space and personality. Our concept continues to grow and evolve, as these flowers can be used in so many creative ways. We also offer a service for businesses where we design and deliver floral arrangements that are replaced every three months. This ensures that the business always has fresh, inspiring flowers on display, while we can reuse and restyle the previous arrangements in new and exciting settings.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is to stay patient. In a startup, there will always be ups and downs, but it’s important to stay focused and keep believing in what you’re doing. If you stay consistent and keep putting in the effort, your hard work will eventually pay off.
And what is the worst?
I don’t think I’ve ever received truly bad advice. I believe most people give advice based on their own experiences and perspectives. When you’re starting a business, you’ll hear a lot of different opinions, but it’s important to stay true to yourself and trust your own instincts. In the end, you’re the one doing the work and making the decisions, so you have to be confident in the direction you choose.
What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
Life constantly brings new challenges, and starting my own business has been no exception. For me, the hardest part has been accepting that I can’t do everything at once. I’m passionate and full of ideas, but I’ve had to learn that building something meaningful takes time. Being patient and trusting the process, staying focused on where the business is right now instead of rushing ahead, has been a real personal challenge, but also one of the most valuable lessons so far.
What’s lies ahead for the brand?
There are endless opportunities with our everlasting flowers. Right now, our main focus is on building awareness and continuing to grow. If I could make one wish for the brand, it would be to open a physical shop, somewhere we can not only sell our flowers but also meet our customers in person and help them create something truly special.
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Supplied
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: emirateswoman.com
