Stem by stem, Layla Vasquez puts together her latest piece of art: A custom bouquet of roses for another one of her clients.

“ I really wanted to explore being an entrepreneur," she said. " I said that I wanted to be an entrepreneur since I was a little girl. I felt very passionate about making other people happy, [and] I always loved flower arrangements…”

It’s the main attraction at her shop, Lavish by Layla, dedicated to creating custom, luxury bouquets the way Vasquez thinks they should be made.

" I always wanted a chic[er] aesthetic: a nice and round bouquet, something with a unique colored floral," she explained. "I really strive to make that option available on the market and very accessible.”

After opening her shop during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vasquez made that dream for herself and others a reality, offering bouquets of all shapes and sizes for customers of all ages.

”Everything is customized for you," she explained. "There is not another one of what I am going to sell you somewhere else...I really take pride on every product being a lavish product and everything, particularly making one customer happy.”

After five years in the business, Vasquez has fulfilled that mission.

“ I've had customers cry of happiness," she said. "I've had customers tell me that my bouquets are the nicest bouquets they've ever received. That's really what it's all about for me. The reward for me is making other people happy.”

Lavish by Layla is located at the Ridge Hill Shopping Center in Yonkers. Customers can place an order in person or online.