Meet Marina Kuz | Business lady

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marina Kuz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My name is Maryna Kuz. I’m a woman who loves beauty, meaningful details, and things that inspire. For me, business has always been more than numbers — it’s a way of expressing my soul, of connecting with others, and of creating something that brings joy.
My first business began with my dear friend Diana. Together, we launched an online store dianaandmarinadesign – Etsy for makers — people who work with wood, acrylic, and other creative materials. We offer toppers and custom-made accessories to help them bring beauty into special occasions.
But it’s not just about what we sell.
It’s about helping others create moments that feel magical and warm.
I believe in the power of small details — the ones that make a celebration feel truly personal.
My second business was born with another amazing woman, my partner Tatiana . We create and sell designer wallpaper LilliBorea – Etsy. Each texture, each pattern is selected with so much care.
For me, wallpaper isn’t just about design — it’s about creating atmosphere.
It can turn an ordinary wall into something full of character and warmth. I love when a home tells a story — and sometimes, one wall is enough to say everything.
And then, there’s my book “Jungle OM” by Marina Kuz . It’s a children’s story — one very close to my heart. It’s about a little girl who dreams of becoming a yoga teacher.
My friend Kristina inspired me to write it. Her strength, her journey, her energy — they reminded me that everything begins with self-belief.
I wanted to create something that would speak to children… and to the inner child in every adult.
A story that says, ” When you believe in yourself , you unlock doors to possibilities you never imagined”
Each of these projects came from love — love for the women I work with, love for creativity, and love for the people who connect with what we do.
I’m proud of being a businesswoman who leads with intuition, warmth, and vision.
And I truly believe: when women come together, they don’t just build businesses — they build beauty, meaning, and possibility.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
✨ “I don’t build businesses — I create with heart.”
Hi, I’m Maryna.
I’m a woman, a mom of two, and a creative soul who believes that beauty is not just what you see — it’s what you feel.
I started my own journey to bring inspiration into everyday life — through handmade toppers, designer wallpapers, a children’s book, and meaningful collaborations with people I love.
What drives me?
💫 Authenticity
💫 Connection
💫 Courage to follow what feels right
💫 And surrounding myself with creatives who lift each other up
Success, for me, is about alignment — living, working, and creating with love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
🏨 Best Hotel:
Stay at Acqualina Resort & Residences — an oceanfront haven with world-class service, spa luxury, and breathtaking views. Pure elegance by the sea.

🍳 Best Breakfast Spot:
Start your day at The Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller. A beautifully refined space offering perfect eggs, warm croissants, and timeless service.

🥗 Best Lunch Experience:
For a laid-back yet stylish lunch, head to Mandolin Aegean Bistro. This charming garden-style restaurant in the Design District serves Mediterranean favorites in a relaxed, sun-dappled setting.

🌇 Best Dinner Destination:
Make a reservation at Casa Neos — one of Miami’s hottest new spots on the river. Expect coastal Mediterranean cuisine, chic rooftop vibes, and one of the best sunset views in the city.

🥂 Best Champagne Bar:
Sip bubbles in style at the Champagne Bar at The Surf Club. It’s elegant, vintage-inspired, and perfect for a pre-dinner toast or late-night indulgence.

🎭 Don’t Miss:
An evening at the Faena Theater — a stunning, red velvet–draped venue in Miami Beach offering cabaret, live music, and unforgettable performances in a glam, intimate atmosphere.

This curated mix of luxury, flavor, and culture captures the heart of Miami — bold, beautiful, and endlessly inspiring.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

My name is Maryna Kuz. I’m a woman who loves beauty, meaningful details, and things that inspire. For me, business has always been more than numbers — it’s a way of expressing my soul, of connecting with others, and of creating something that brings joy.
My first business began with my dear friend Diana. Together, we launched an online store https://www.etsy.com/shop/dianaandmarinadesign for makers — people who work with wood, acrylic, and other creative materials. We offer toppers and custom-made accessories to help them bring beauty into special occasions.
But it’s not just about what we sell.
It’s about helping others create moments that feel magical and warm.
I believe in the power of small details — the ones that make a celebration feel truly personal.
My second business was born with another amazing woman, my partner Tatiana . We create and sell designer wallpaper https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilliBorea. Each texture, each pattern is selected with so much care.
For me, wallpaper isn’t just about design — it’s about creating atmosphere.
It can turn an ordinary wall into something full of character and warmth. I love when a home tells a story — and sometimes, one wall is enough to say everything.
And then, there’s my book “Jungle OM” by Marina Kuz. https://a.co/d/aZX92wq . It’s a children’s story — one very close to my heart. It’s about a little girl who dreams of becoming a yoga teacher.
My friend Kristina inspired me to write it. Her strength, her journey, her energy — they reminded me that everything begins with self-belief.
I wanted to create something that would speak to children… and to the inner child in every adult.
A story that says, ” When you believe in yourself , you unlock doors to possibilities you never imagined”
Each of these projects came from love — love for the women I work with, love for creativity, and love for the people who connect with what we do.
I’m proud of being a businesswoman who leads with intuition, warmth, and vision.
And I truly believe: when women come together, they don’t just build businesses — they build beauty, meaning, and possibility.

What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?

One piece of advice I often hear is “Don’t mix business with friendship.” 
And honestly — I disagree.
Some of the most beautiful, meaningful things I’ve created came with friends. With women I trust, admire, and deeply respect. We didn’t just build businesses together — we supported each other through life. We celebrated wins, solved problems, grew together.
Of course, friendship in business requires maturity, clear communication, and mutual respect. But when it works — it’s powerful.
Because friendship brings something into business that money can’t buy: heart.
For me, working with friends has made my businesses more soulful, more creative, and more real.
And I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Risk-taking: How do you think about risk, and what role has it played in your life and career?
For me, risk isn’t about being reckless — it’s about being brave enough to follow what feels right, even when there are no guarantees.
Every project I’ve started involved some kind of leap.
There was no perfect timing. No certainty.
Just a quiet voice inside that said, “Try. Go. Create.”
Starting businesses, publishing a book, building something from zero — all of it was a risk. But every time I said yes to the unknown, I grew. I discovered more of who I am. I built something meaningful.
I don’t see risk as something to fear — I see it as a door.
A door that opens when you’re willing to believe in yourself a little more than you doubt.
And I’ve learned: even if things don’t go exactly how you planned, you still win — because you had the courage to begin.

What does success mean to you?

Success , for me , is about freedom — creative freedom, emotional freedom, and the ability to choose how I spend my time and who I share my energy with.
As a mother of two wonderful children, success means showing them by example that dreams can be pursued with passion and balance. It’s about teaching them the value of resilience, kindness, and believing in themselves — while managing the beautiful, sometimes chaotic, rhythm of family life and work.
It’s when I see my work bring joy to someone’s life — when a client feels proud of their product, when a space becomes more beautiful because of our wallpaper, or when a child reads my book and dreams a little bigger.
That’s success. Real, soulful, lasting.
And honestly, success is also about the people I’m doing this with — the amazing women around me, the community we’ve built, and the energy we create together.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
For me, the most important factor behind my success — and the success of the brands I’m part of — is authentic connection.
Authenticity means being true to who I am, my values, and the people I work with. It means creating not just products, but experiences and relationships that resonate deeply.
I believe success comes from listening — to my intuition, to my partners, to our customers, and to the community we serve. When you truly listen, you understand needs, dreams, and how to bring real value.
The power of collaboration is also essential. Working with inspiring women like Diana and Tatiana , enriches every project, making it stronger and more meaningful.
I’m also very grateful for my friend and Partner Yulia which represents a company SUN STREET USA that produces home furniture (European kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, closets and more ) . Collaborating with them brings a unique dimension to our work, allowing us to offer truly complete and harmonious solutions for creating beautiful, cozy homes.
At the core, it’s all about heart. When you put your heart into what you do, people feel it — and that’s what builds lasting success.

What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson my business journey has taught me is to trust the process and embrace patience.
Success rarely comes overnight. There are moments of doubt, challenges that feel overwhelming, and times when the path isn’t clear. But I’ve learned that these moments are part of growth — they teach resilience and deepen your understanding of what truly matters.
I’ve also realized the power of staying true to yourself. In a world full of trends and pressure to conform, authenticity is your strongest asset. When you lead with your values and passion, you create something that lasts.
Finally, I’ve learned that business is not a solo journey. It’s about relationships, trust, and collaboration. Surrounding yourself with the right people — friends, partners, mentors — can make all the difference.

Work-life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
When I started out, I thought work-life balance meant keeping work and personal life completely separate. But as time went on, especially being a mom of two amazing kids, I realized it’s more about blending the two with intention and care.
Some days, work and family flow together naturally. Other days, I have to consciously switch off work and focus fully on my loved ones. It’s a dance, not a formula.
Taking care of myself is a big part of that balance. I’m lucky to have friends who run “DOLCE MEDICAL SPA” ( 18305 Biscayne Blvd unit 217 Aventura, Florida ) — I was a client of theirs and now I am proud to be their friend, model and ambassador for the SPA . This friendship and support remind me how important it is to pause, nurture myself, and recharge. When I feel my best, I’m better for my business, my family, and myself.
Balance isn’t about perfection. It’s about kindness to yourself and embracing life’s rhythms as they come.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for my business came from my love for creativity, details, and the feeling of turning ordinary moments into something special. I’ve always been drawn to beauty — not just how things look, but how they make people feel.

My best friend Marina Merz ( @merzfineart ) https://www.instagram.com/merzfineart is a very talented artist. Spending time with her — going to creative gatherings, being around people who live and breathe art — always filled me with inspiration. I started noticing how much potential there was to create products that spark imagination and joy, especially for those who love to work with their hands and bring beauty into the world.

That’s how the idea for my creative business was born — from a desire to offer not just decorative items, but pieces that help people express themselves and celebrate life in a more meaningful way.

My projects are deeply personal — they reflect the things I love, the people I believe in, and the kind of energy I want to share with the world.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
Because I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Creativity has always been part of who I am — I see beauty in details, in emotions, in the way something handmade can tell a story without words. I’ve always been drawn to colors, textures, spaces, and energy.
For me, a creative path wasn’t just a choice — it was a calling. I wanted to build something that felt alive, that had soul. Not just products, but experiences that spark joy and connection.
Creating gives me freedom. It gives me purpose. And it allows me to share something real with others — whether it’s a design, a mood, or a message in a children’s book.
Art and creativity are how I express my voice — softly, but with meaning.
That’s why I chose this path. Or maybe… it chose me.

What are you inspired by?

I’m inspired by people — their energy, their dreams, their ability to create beauty from nothing. I’m especially moved by women who lead with heart, who build, nurture, and uplift others through their own journey.

I’m inspired by quiet moments — a sunrise, a peaceful room, the way light touches a surface. I believe inspiration lives in the details — in textures, colors, words, and feelings that many people overlook.

Art always inspires me . Going with Marina Merz to creative meetups or art shows opens something in me. I love watching how others express themselves and how every soul brings something unique to the table.

I’m inspired by movement — emotional, physical, or creative. I love change, growth, evolution. I believe that life constantly whispers ideas to us — and if we listen, we’ll always find something worth creating.

And of course, I’m inspired by my family, children — the way they see the world with wonder, without limits. They remind me to stay open, curious, and brave.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilliBorea

Instagram: @alhovik

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilliBorea

https://www.etsy.com/shop/dianaandmarinadesign

https://a.co/d/aZX92wq

Image Credits
Every picture is mine