Open & Awkward: Shop Talk with Katie and Amanda

Subtitle: Not for Everyone Summary: Amanda shares highlights from her recent trip to Dollywood: great food, fun coasters (though not quite Disney-level creative inspiration), and an awkward moment of being recognized in public. Katie reveals her roller-coaster coping strategy: shutting her eyes the whole ride…HA! Amanda talks about how her monthly product drops were gaining traction until she drop...

Subtitle: Finding a New Rhythm Summary: In this episode, Amanda talks about her recent trip to Dollywood and the garden cleanup that didn’t happen. Plus a canceled visit with her friend Andrew that opened up time to catch up on life and work. Katie returns from a heavy family trip only to sprain her ankle, (because of course she did). They discuss burnout, how Katie is redefining her work-life bal...

Our Most Open and Awkward Moments of 2024 In this special  best of  episode, we dive deep into what it really means to be open and awkward, boldly taking up space, embracing authenticity, and choosing to live fully. Seize the moment ( carpe diem! ) and reject the grind of the billionaire machine. We’re here to remind you: being real is cool, and being real is important. This episode is all about i...

Subtitle: Drunk Seed Shopping Summary: Amanda prepares to close Aster Gardens for a short spring break to visit Dollywood with her family, right when there’s so much to do in the garden and at the store. Meanwhile, Katie announces her departure from A24, the company she co-founded, as she steps away to support a family member facing serious health issues. They discuss managing email notifications,...

Subtitle: Assumptions, Astrology and Adaptation Summary: Big changes are coming near  Aster Gardens ! Amanda’s getting two new neighbors: a brow lounge and a boba & smoothie shop. She’s eager to see how they’ll impact her business. She and Katie discuss assumptions and how they impact forecasting and business planning. Katie talks about missing her newsletter (hey, life happens) and how she’s...

Subtitle: Make a Moss Mosaic Summary: Amanda is heading to iLandscape after recording, but first, she and Katie tackle a big question …do you have to respond to every message that lands in your inbox? Katie brings up apocalypse gardening (because, hey, you never know), and she also shares her experience reengaging with her business coach, Meg Morrison, who she highly recommends! Finally, this epis...

Our Favorite Finds of 2024 In this special "Best of" episode, Amanda and Katie rehash the things that kept them entertained in 2024. They share their favorite books, original art, and must-listen podcasts. You may even hear them touch on sports! Listen up to hear their favorites: what made them laugh, think, and silly things that helped them unwind. Tune in for a great conversation about...

If you haven't tuned in yet, this is  the  episode to start with! We’ve packed it with the best advice from Season 1. It's got everything from social media strategies to POS system insights and must-read business books. Listen up for tips on streamlining operations, boosting social media engagement and getting just plain INSPIRED! This episode has something for everyone. Don’t miss it! The Stuff a...

Subtitle: Looking for a Unicorn Summary:  Katie brings up how important it is to her to have a strong support system as a business owner and how that sets her up for success. Amanda shares her plans to hire a manager for her shop. She wants someone with plant knowledge and steady leadership, possibly from the local junior college hort program. She spills the beans on her recent clothing swap (a bi...

Subtitle: Action Cures Fear Summary:  In this episode, Katie opens up about ignoring business fears in hopes they disappear (spoiler alert: they typically don’t). Amanda brings up her money hangups, including her habit of giving discounts to customers she likes. They discuss negotiating pricing with confidence, the importance of creating a welcoming “third place” for community, and how activities...

Subtitle: Extra Awkward Summary: In this episode, Amanda shares a rant about TikTok and how some content feels overly produced, while Katie points out that most garden center owners aren’t content creators, it’s just a means to an end ($$$). They also discuss how Facebook and Instagram have become “pay to play,” with algorithms favoring discovery over showing content to followers. Meanwhile, Katie...

Subtitle: Show Up for Yourself Summary: Welcome to Season 2 of  Open & Awkward  where Katie and Amanda are full of inspiration on taking action, embracing change, and nurturing your creative spark! Amanda talks about an experience with a vendor from the farmer’s market and the importance of showing up for yourself. Think about it, great ideas are only as good as the action you take to bring th...

Subtitle: If you build it, they will come Summary: In this season finale, Katie shares that she had her first customer service inquiry for her new business. (Do you want a Certified Shopify Online Garden Center? Contact Katie!) Amanda opens up about receiving a firm diagnosis from her psychologist, leading to an in-depth discussion about anxiety and depression medications. Katie and Amanda discuss...

Subtitle: Concierge Service Summary: Amanda and Katie watched the new Martha Stewart documentary (have you seen it?) and shared their newfound admiration for the lifestyle icon. Amanda was inspired by Martha's pragmatic, common-sense approach, while Katie enjoyed learning how she used art as an inspiration. This leads to a discussion about the division of housework in their own homes, followed by...

Subtitle: Cultivate Takeover Summary: Katie and Amanda catch up on everything from tech upgrades to garden chores. Katie shares how she had her fall garden "chop & drop" cleanup with Tami, leading to a discussion on fall cleanup tips and how practices vary by region, (magnolia leaves, anyone)? They reveal how they got to see each other IRL again and share the exciting news about their  upcomin...

Subtitle: The Vibe is Nostalgia Summary: Do you like to get behind trends? Katie talks about her recent trip to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and how the resort there has a very specific vibe. She also observes the resurging popularity of vintage cakes, charm necklaces, and decorative rocks. Amanda notes that certain trends can be thriving in some areas while flopping in others. She also shares how she ga...

Subtitle: To Buy or Not to Buy Summary: Katie and Amanda reflect on their experiences as listeners of their own podcast, realizing they are learning about themselves. They discuss the ongoing thorn in Amanda’s side: what to do when customers linger without buying. Amanda’s perspective sparks a debate with Katie and they unpack what it means to value their time and their customers. Highlights: Aman...

Subtitle: Name it to Tame it Summary: Amanda shares a great tip on how to self-regulate and stop intrusive thoughts that you won’t want to miss. They discuss how Aster Gardens launched a free seed library outside the store featuring Hyacinth Bean Vine (what a cool idea!). Amanda gave Kennedy the entire project to handle, soup to nuts, and she did a great job! Katie talks about how the best teams s...

Subtitle: Hell in a Handbasket Summary: Katie shares a wild story—did she help someone in need, or was she almost carjacked? It’s hard to say! They discuss the recent hurricanes impacting North Carolina, where Katie resides, and talk about the terrible challenges the community faces. Amanda reveals her exciting plans to close Aster Gardens on Wednesdays to free her schedule for garden consultation...

Subtitle: Multitasking is a Joke Summary: Amanda shares that she created a hilarious secret hiding nook behind the register, perfect for popping out to give customers a little scare! Meanwhile, Katie dishes that Harry Styles recently bought flowers at a local farmers market and was unrecognized by the vendor.—who knew he could go incognito? They talk about the reality of multitasking (spoiler: it’...

Subtitle: Get Off My Lawn Summary: Get ready for a lively episode as Amanda spills the tea on her latest email marketing adventure—spoiler alert: no one opened it! Katie, the email marketing queen, suggests that it might just be a timing issue and shares her secret hack to reblast it with a catchy new title (did you know you could do that?). Amanda's on a mission to turn readers into buyers, and K...

Subtitle: Everyone Needs a Couch Summary: In this episode, Katie visits her friend and fellow horticulturist, Brie Arthur, in Raleigh, NC, where they stop by an art store—much to Brie’s confusion, as she knows plants but not art! Meanwhile, Amanda is busy rearranging Aster Gardens to move the Cash Wrap station closer to the door, allowing customers to see them crafting up front, (FUN)! She also li...

Subtitle: You Must be Really Fun at Parties Summary: Katie shares her Room Portrait Club painting, and Amanda declares that Katie’s art is getting even better! They discuss the Locavore Guide, which is NYC-based, and how all small businesses should promote others in their surrounding areas. Amanda shares an experience where she asks, “Am I the asshole?” (She’s not.) They also talk about the Keith...

Subtitle: What you allow will continue Summary: In this episode, Katie and Amanda open up about their battle scars from some truly awful jobs—think PTSD, but with a side of trauma. Katie is bummed about not being more involved in the public garden industry and wishes public gardens, breeders, growers, and retailers would communicate more. Amanda is rolling out her grab-and-go craft kits, because w...

Subtitle: You don’t have to be everything to everyone  Summary: Katie and Amanda are both enjoying “false fall” which is happening in both their states. Amanda discusses being unexpectedly recruited as a florist (no thanks), which she quickly turns down as her true specialty is promoting sustainability and educating people on living in harmony with nature. She also gives an update on the farmer’s...