Making News
26/11/2024
Hannah Spilva
by Mornington Peninsula Magazine

In Australia’s crowded e-commerce landscape, one brand has found a unique way to stand out through the beauty of flowers and the art of thoughtful gifting: LVLY.

Co-founded by Hannah Spilva in 2015, LVLY has transformed the humble flower delivery service into a brand synonymous with fun, warmth and heart. At the helm of this blossoming venture, Hannah brings passion, innovation, and a dedication to nurturing connections. Her journey from a fast-paced corporate career to the founder of an iconic Australian startup is testament to the power of intuition, resilience, and staying true to a vision.

Hannah’s journey to LVLY didn’t begin with flowers; it began with a longstanding passion for branding and creative direction. Hannah’s early career was marked by impressive stints at leading creative agencies, where she honed her skills in advertising and brand strategy. Her work spanned several countries, immersing her in diverse markets and opening her eyes to the nuances of customer experience.

The idea for LVLY took root when Hannah noticed a gap in the Australian market for a modern and flexible flower delivery service – one that was as focused on speed and reliability as it was on stylish, on-trend arrangements.

Like any startup, LVLY faced hurdles. Building a supply chain for fresh flowers in Australia posed challenges, and maintaining freshness across distances required ingenuity and a keen eye for logistics. Then, as the company began to gain traction, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, creating both unprecedented demand for flower deliveries and immense operational strain.

In response, Hannah worked closely with her team, leaning on their collective creativity and adaptability. LVLY thrived during uncertain times, growing exponentially and proving its reliability as a trusted source of joy and comfort through some of lockdown’s most isolating moments.

Hannah’s unwavering passion for “making people feel great” is the driving force behind her next business venture, Done, a premium range of home hair colour products set to launch early next year. Departing blooms for the world of beauty, Done is built on the belief that getting your colour done shouldn’t cost a whole afternoon and half your pay packet.

“We’re creating a simple colour maintenance ritual for busy people, one that helps you look and feel your best anytime, anywhere,” Hannah said.

Developed with world-leading hair colour experts, the salon-grade formulas will be available online and via subscription.

“We recently completed in-salon trials at my local hair studio in Mount Martha, and the results were outstanding. Despite being an at-home hair colour product, I really wanted to get the tick of approval from my own hairdresser, who has been involved in testing and trialling the products. It’s been incredibly rewarding to get the local community involved in my next venture. I feel immensely supported.”

Hannah’s personal style – both in business and life – is characterised by a blend of warmth, empathy, and clear-headed strategy. In interviews, Hannah often speaks about the importance of her mentors, friends and family, and she is a vocal advocate for women in business, encouraging young female entrepreneurs to follow their passions and trust their instincts.

Her grounded approach, combined with a genuine desire to make people’s lives better, is a refreshing counterpoint to the high-stakes, often cutthroat world of e-commerce.

For Hannah, building business isn’t just about commercial success; it’s about spreading joy and making people feel good about themselves. With her creative spirit, resilience and unyielding drive, it’s no wonder Hannah Spilva and LVLY have become a beloved staple in Australian startup culture.

To find out more about Done, you can follow Hannah’s entrepreneurial journey on Instagram @hannahspilva