Saira Saigal ā CEO, Zerritta Flowers
A personal reflection on growing up, entrepreneurship, and why every bouquet at Zerritta is made with heart š.
I'm Saira Saigal, and my journey with flowers began long before I opened Zerritta. Growing up as the middle child in a close-knit family, I was shaped by the strong women around me and the warmth of my grandmother's home. Her garden taught me that tending to beauty requires patience, intention, and genuine care. The way she brewed chai and shared stories created what I can only describe as a soft discipline - a gentle but unwavering commitment to doing things with heart.
That house was less a structure and more a feeling, one that taught me to find beauty in unexpected places. As a curious child, I asked countless questions about how things worked and why they mattered. I was the student who stayed after class, not because I was struggling, but because I wanted to understand the intricacies behind everything. This same desire to understand led me to start tutoring younger children, saving money from an early age while learning that teaching and sharing knowledge brought me genuine joy.
That curiosity now drives my approach to floral design. Each bouquet begins with understanding - Who is this for? What story needs to be told? What emotions want to be expressed? I've learned that flowers speak when words fail, carrying messages of joy, grief, love, and apology with a grace that human language sometimes lacks.
Growth & Redefining Success
My path hasn't always been linear. I once believed success had only one definition and that ambition needed to be loud to be legitimate. Life taught me otherwise. I learned that not everyone will understand your journey, and that's perfectly acceptable. You don't owe anyone an explanation for the pace you choose or the direction you take.
Motherhood became my greatest teacher, stripping away pretense and showing me what truly matters. Raising a human being revealed depths of patience and love I never knew I possessed. It also taught me that done with heart beats perfect on paper every time. The pursuit of perfection had consumed years of my life before I understood this simple truth.
Quiet Confidence
Today, I find strength in simplicity and quiet confidence. I'm an introvert who's good with people - I can hold space in any room but recharge in solitude. Those sacred morning moments with tea before the world wakes up aren't just routine; they're necessary. That stillness allows me to sit with myself without feeling the need to escape, which I believe is the truest form of inner peace.
Sources of Inspiration
When life becomes overwhelming, I turn to nature and silence. I'm inspired by stories of everyday resilience - women raising children alone, people starting over at any age, the quiet fighters who never make headlines but change the world through small, consistent acts of love. My closest friends describe me as grounded, nurturing, and intentional, qualities that flow naturally into my work.
Meaningful Moments at Zerritta
At Zerritta, flowers become silent messengers. They carry joy to celebrations, comfort to those grieving, and apologies when words fall short. One of my most meaningful moments came when a mother asked us to create a remembrance bouquet using her late daughter's favorite blooms. That request reminded me that what we do here goes far beyond business - it's about honoring human connection and holding space for life's most profound moments.
Beliefs & Practice
Zerritta Flowers reflects my deepest beliefs about beauty, detail, and human connection. Each arrangement tells a story - one of care, mood, or celebration. I no longer chase external validation or try to fit someone else's definition of success. What matters is the emotional fulfillment that comes from creating something meaningful, from being trusted with someone's most important moments.
My philosophy is simple: "Do it with love or not at all." This guides every decision, from selecting stems to training our team. It keeps me centered when the world feels chaotic and reminds me why I began this journey. I believe in the power of showing up with heart, listening deeply, and creating beauty that speaks to something larger than ourselves.
The Life Iām Building
The life I'm building extends far beyond work and titles. I want meaningful relationships where honest conversations flow freely, quiet mornings that feel like home, and the freedom to create from a place of genuine care. I'm no longer dimming my light for people who fear their own shadows. Instead, I'm focused on leaving the world softer than I found it.
If I could offer advice to my younger self, it would be this: breathe, trust your pace, and remember that this too shall pass. The validation you're seeking from outside voices is fleeting and never enough. The real work happens when you learn to sit with yourself in silence and feel completely at peace.
When my time comes, I hope to be remembered by those who love me as someone who listened well, loved deeply, and showed up consistently with heart. At Zerritta Flowers, we don't just arrange blooms - we craft moments of connection, honor life's passages, and remind people that beauty exists in both joy and sorrow, one thoughtful bouquet at a time.
