As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Aiste Dzikaraite.
Aiste Dzikaraite is a former senior architect at the world-renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, where she spent over a decade shaping iconic buildings for an elite international clientele. Known for her bold, boundary-pushing approach, Aiste is dedicated to creating the unseen — transforming abstract visions into tangible masterpieces.
Her innovative product designs have been showcased at prestigious institutions and events, including the Serpentine Gallery in London, Maison & Objet in Paris, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.
Guided by a philosophy of constant refinement, Aiste believes in exploring limitless creative possibilities. “I may make 100 sketches for the same formal research,” she says. “Sketching is my tool to expand thinking and discover new horizons of design.”
In this interview, she reflects on the pivotal moments, hard-earned lessons, and defining wins from her journey in building thriving online ventures.
What inspired your leap into entrepreneurship, and what personal experiences sparked the idea behind your current venture?
After more than a decade at Zaha Hadid Architects, working on projects that take years to complete, I wanted to create something more immediate. Jewellery gave me that freedom—to experience the joy of seeing a design fully finished. At first, I made pieces for myself, just to feel that creative satisfaction and develop further my personal architectural style. Then I began gifting them as a personal, one-of-a-kind gifts. That’s how Floa Design started.
How does your approach stand out in today’s competitive space?
Floa Design is the only architectural jewellery brand where each piece is made to order, engraved with your personal intention, and crafted as collectible architecture for the body.
What were some of the toughest obstacles you faced early in your journey as a woman entrepreneur, and how did you navigate through them?
One of the hardest parts was finding a business partner who could actually produce my innovative designs. As an architect, I understand structure, balance, and form—I knew my pieces would work in small scale too. But most jewellery artisans are trained to think within traditional limits. My designs pushed beyond that and further. It took time to find someone skilled enough—and open-minded enough.
When the going gets tough, what keeps you grounded and motivated to keep pushing forward?
When you have a clear vision of why you’re doing what you’re doing, challenges feel small in proportion. Without that vision, even small obstacles can seem overwhelming. It’s like walking to the top of a hill and seeing the whole city. Once you see the bigger picture, the buildings don’t seem as big anymore.
What daily habits or non-negotiable routines help you stay focused, creatively energized, and balanced as a founder?
I don’t like routines. They program your mind to repeat the same tasks. This dilutes creative thinking. Innovative ideas don’t thrive in strict schedules. I leave space for curiosity, new perspectives, and unplanned moments. If I have to visit the same place, I choose a different path. When planning my day, I leave gaps of time for the mind to observe and wonder.
What’s been the most effective growth lever for acquiring new clients or expanding your customer base?
Word of mouth. Delighting one person fully often brings three more. My pieces spark conversations, and those stories travel further than any ad.
What branding or marketing decision had the biggest impact in elevating your business and building trust with your audience?
I built Floa’s identity on my own visual language, rooted in fluid, organic aesthetics. I refined this style for over a decade before starting the brand. I used my coding skills to create structural patterns few can replicate, and I’ve always been open about my architectural background. This positioned the FLOA as authentic, innovative, and trustworthy.
How do you personally define success—not just as a business owner, but as a woman living a purpose-driven life?
Quite a lot of women struggle to light up their bold energy, to step up, to speak up, to take the first step toward new opportunities. If one piece of jewellery helps a woman feel powerful within — stronger, seen, and clear in her values — that’s success for me. Confident women create real change.
Can you share a mistake or misstep that taught you a lesson you still carry with you today?
Once, my jewellery pieces were stolen after a shoot with a world-famous music artist for an album cover. It taught me to always protect my work, no matter how big is the name. Whoever has them now, I hope they wear them with the confidence they were made for!
What’s your best advice for women just starting out—especially first-time entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed or unsure of their next steps?
Don’t follow — flow. When you’re starting out, it’s easy to get lost in other people’s rules and opinions. Listen to your intuition and let it guide your next step.
How do you approach risk and innovation, especially when breaking new ground in a male-dominated or fast-changing industry?
If I believe in an idea, I’m willing to step into the unknown and make a hundred sketches until it meets my high standards. The more you work through a visionary idea, the smaller the risk becomes.
If you lead a team, how do you foster a culture of trust, inclusivity, collaboration, and growth?
I inspire and give a clear final vision, so no one gets lost. This way, people can use their strengths to reach it.
What are the top 5 mindset shifts or personal practices that helped you overcome self-doubt and grow your confidence as a woman entrepreneur?
There are no boundaries. Rules and theories are invented by others. We doubt ourselves because we think we don’t fit into them. But if you remove the concept of rules, there’s nothing left to doubt—only your experience to trust. That’s when confidence takes over.
How do you see the evolution of Floa Design?
I see Floa Design evolving into a universe of objects and spaces that do more than serve a function — they make you think differently, feel inspired and confident, and uplift your day.
What’s a quote, philosophy, or guiding belief that shapes how you lead, create, and live every day?
There are no boundaries, only possibilities yet to be explored.
Where can our audience connect with you, explore your work, or follow your entrepreneurial journey online?
Explore bold jewellery designed to empower women at FloaDesign. Follow on Instagram and Facebook, or connect with Aiste Dzikaraite on LinkedIn.
