May 02, 2023

Detroit Free Press Highlights Maison Farola and Zaman Leading into Mother’s Day

The Sunday, April 30 edition of the Detroit Free Press featured the amazing story of generosity and altruism of Maison Farola co-founder Oula Siblini donating her 50% ownership in the Livonia-based e-commerce luxury floral business to nonprofit Zaman.

Appearing on page 3B in the Michigan Business section, business columnist Carol Cain told the story under the headline: “Livonia florist teams up with Inkster nonprofit to help women in need.” It outlines how purchasing flowers from Maison Farola now helps support Zaman’s work to break the cycle of extreme poverty.

Cain covers the story of the two mothers creating a business that can employee nearly a dozen contractors – many of them mothers – during busy floral seasons leading up to holidays like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. An excerpt of the article, which is available to subscribers at the Detroit Free Press, is below:

“The story begins with Maison Farola, a local floral company launched in 2015 by Oula Siblini, then working as a pharmacist, and Farah Saleh, an occupational therapist, who happen to be sisters-in-law. Both women, with young children at home, wanted to start a company that would allow them to have more flexible schedules, spend time with their families and do something they loved — designing floral arrangements. They started Maison Farola from Siblini’s basement with just the two of them, and it grew.”

The story goes on to recount how a few years ago Oula had the idea to donate her ownership stake after attending Zaman’s Very Important Philanthropy gala where Zaman founder and CEO Najah Bazzy spoke about how the organization was seeking ways to become self-sustaining. 

Since then, having built Maison Farola into a profitable venture with an established brand, Oula donated her ownership to Zaman in January – giving the Inkster-based nonprofit her 50% ownership and a new revenue stream to support its mission.

To learn more about Maison Farola or purchase floral arrangements with delivery in Metro Detroit, visit MaisonFarola.com or call 313-400-2074.