Saipua was founded in 2006. In the decade since, we have poured, cut and wrapped over 1 million bars of olive oil soap and traveled around the globe arranging flowers. As a small family business we often talk about how our most valuable assets are our people. Beyond our core team listed here, there exists a dynamic and powerful community of people who support us and inspire us in immeasurable ways.
SARAH RYHANEN
Founding Director
Sarah is a self-taught floral designer, stylist and writer. Her background is in Contemporary Art. Her work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Vogue and Martha Stewart. Sarah is a Leo with Taurus rising.
ERIC FAMISAN
Farm Manager/Co-Founder
Eric runs the farm at Worlds End. His background in civil engineering aids in solving a myriad of farming challenges and is occasionally called upon for event production. He maintains the flock of Icelandic Sheep, the gardens and the infrastructure at the farm. A Gemini, Eric has immaculate handwriting and asks all the practical questions in the business.
SUSAN RYHANEN
Soapmaker
Susan began making soap as a hobby in 1997 when she retired from teaching. She now is the sole soapmaker for Saipua, crafting close to 150,000 bars a year. She is also co-founder of Mah Jongg Doctors, a teaching tool and forum for Mah Jongg enthusiasts.
DAN GAETANI
Operations Manager
Dan manages the logistical challenges associated with large scale event production. Dan also heads up Saipua’s compost initiative which aims to reduce the amount of flower waste in landfills. In classic Leonine form, Dan’s charismatic presence and sense of humor brightens the rest of the Saipua team.
JESSIE MAY BOOTH
Project Manager
Jessie comes from England. She has a degree in History but a love for organizing events, so much so she went all the way to Dubai to help Shiekh Mohammad with his. Fun though it was, there wasn’t quite enough flowers or cord in the Middle East. She’s with us now, to put her classically English taste and boundless energy into Saipua and New York. Like Eric she is also a Gemini with good handwriting.
BRYONY MATTES-HARRIS
Sales Manager
Bryony enthusiastically leads our conversations with clients about their weddings and other events, providing a guiding hand with floral and event design. With her PR/Marketing background, dynamic personality and formidable wit, she is the perfect ambassador for Saipua. Bryony is the embodiment of Sagittarian traits, she energizes our studio with a spirit of determination, and hearty laughter.
JENNELL LEHMAN
Farmer & Floral Designer
A farmer florist from Michigan, Jennell came to us as a farm apprentice in 2015. She couldn’t bear to leave and so we hired her back the next year as our full time flower farmer. Under her direction, Worlds End produced almost double the amount of cut stems this year, adding new unusual varieties to the field. Jennell’s keen eye for colour and flower design paired with her innate sensitivity (she is a Cancer) makes her an invaluable connection between the realms of Saipua and the The Farm at Worlds End.
