September 1st, 2025 —
My name is María Eugenia Briones de Maksimow, but I’ve always been known as Ghean — pronounced “Genie.”
My father, Guillermo Briones, was a visionary industrialist in Mexico City. From the age of eight, he taught me how to succeed in business. By ten, I had my first venture, giving up playtime to build something of my own. Over the next twenty years, I worked alongside him, traveling the world to promote Mexico’s industries and culture.
In 1964, I married Walter Maksimow and moved to San Diego, where we raised four children. By 1985, Walter and I decided to start a “bilateral” business, blending our worlds and creating something new: a maquiladora in Mexico dedicated to handcrafting bows.
Those early days were full of challenges and creativity — I even branded myself as “your Genie,” promising to make customers’ holiday wishes come true. We traveled to floral shows and conventions, meeting customers who became lifelong friends. Almost four decades later, Bow Genie continues to thrive, built on those early relationships and the pride of skilled women who craft every bow.
Then in September 2021, I received the surprise of my life. On what I thought was a simple Zoom call, the American Floral Association honored me by naming a Dahlia after me. I was stunned, humbled, and deeply grateful for the recognition.
Looking back on nearly forty years of this journey, I hold close a belief I’ve always lived by: “All we truly take with us are the results of what we’ve done for others — the common good. Always keep faith, honor, and integrity at the heart of everything you do.”
