The Business & Pleasure of Flowers

Episode 92: We are strong advocates of education for both personal and business growth and so are our special guests, Jenny Thomasson AIFD PFCI EMC and Beth O'Reilly AIFD TMF. Jenny and Beth join us to share their thoughts on continuing education as well as give some insight on what to expect when you take their Floral Structure workshop. These women are energetic, enthusiastic and authentic....

Episode 91: As a follow up from last weeks episode with Dr. Nicole Price, we have a few more nuggets from the interview. Dr. Nicole shares some insight from her book, The Holy Educated Motherf*cker (which Vonda will not even say the name!).  Lori follows up with some great words of wisdom from her book, which shares five ways to get through the unthinkable. The pandemic has been the "unthinka...

Episode 090 : Dr. Nicole Price, training leader,  keynote speaker in leadership development and CEO of Lively Paradox, believes that  that leadership is personal. Her goal is to always balance courage with caring as she helps clients face and overcome the most challenging leadership development obstacles. Lori and Vonda ask questions to help the small business owner better lead in what can be chal...

Episode 089: If you're a  flower shop owner you know it has many challenges. Our guest, Michelle Jones, owner of Flowers by Michelle in LasVegas, has thrived through the recession and the pandemic.  Her floral journey might be like some, but her drive, her key to success and words of encouragement might be just what you need today. Flowers By Michelle.com   in LasVegas, NV Our Sponsors Flower...

Episode 088: When it comes to learning new technology, or anything new for that matter, it's never easy. Vonda and Lori talk with Ida who shares how her vast experiences and many years in the floral industry have given her what it takes to work with florists' in the area of learning new technology.  In her position with Floranext, she has the opportunity to work with flower shop owners o...

Episode 087: Summer is winding down and Covid numbers are up, which is a cause of concern for all of us. Vonda and Lori discuss the likelihood that it's not going away soon and how  compassion and empathy fatigue have set in. In this heartfelt conversation about struggles with vaccines,  CDC guidelines, and running a business, Vonda and Lori highlight a few things you can do to continue your...

Episode 086: Vonda and Lori had a chance to meet with attorney Laura Waits and ask her some specific questions that many small business owners want to know.  They discuss subjects from the need for being specific in setting up your will and your small business entity, to the important question on hiring an employee or contract worker (freelance) for our peak seasons. A few Covid specific questions...

Episode 085: In this Cliquer Spotlight Vonda and Lori chat with Abby Chick, owner of Blakemore's Flowers in Harrisonburg, VA. She shares her secrets on leading and building a  successful team, which has reaped the benefits of a very successful business. We're sure you can relate to some of what she does and gain a few tips on how to strengthen your team. Enrollment closes soon for  Flowe...

Episode 084: Hiring right now is super challenging. Vonda and Lori share solid suggestion for finding and hiring the right person for your business and solutions for training them to be highly successful. Check out Prep School and our Sponsor Flower Clique Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 083: Lori chats with Renee Tucci AIFD, PFCI and shares the excitement of getting back to industry events, her experience with the Philadelphia Flower Show and her new exciting project. Her new book,  Framing Floral Techniques ,  is a perfect gift for self or others, with the idea reader being the beginning to intermediate floral designer, or a veteran who wants to review floral design tech...

Episode 082: Vonda and Lori chat with special guests Ralph Giordano AIFD  and Steve Rogala as they share their secrets on how they have grown their sympathy sales to what is now nearly 50% of their annual sales.  Ralph is owner of Giordano's Floral Creations in Fort Pierce, Florida Steve is from Especially for You Florist & Gift Shop in Freehold, NJ Our Sponsor: Flower Clique Join our Fac...

Episode 81: The first of a series of three episodes that focus on Sympathy, Lori interviews Mindy Corporon, author of the book,  Healing a Shattered Soul , who offers invaluable insight for anyone dealing with a grief-stricken family.   Mindy's story is  one of the unthinkable ~ and the way she copes is unlike anything I've ever heard before.  As floral professionals, it is part of our r...

Episode 080: With the upcoming SAF Annual Convention actually happening in September this year there is a lot of buzz and excitement. Vonda and Lori are joined by Kate Penn Executive Vice President/ CEO and Laura Weaver Kern, CMP and Director of meetings and conventions to chat about a some new and exciting things happening with Society of American Florists and what to expect at convention! For mo...

079:  Don't miss this interview with Katy Miller AAF,   who has spent over 40 years in the wholesale side of the floral industry at Dillon Wholesale in Bloomsburg, PA. She shares with Vonda and Lori some important tips on the retail to wholesale relationship and what you should know to help navigate this challenging environment. Our Sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Prep School Sales Prep School...

Bonus 002:  Listen to this short unplanned conversation between Lori and Vonda about leaving fear and stepping outside yourself.  This is such a great nugget! Learn more: Flower Clique Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 078:  Kami Martin, floral website expert and Director of One Clique at Flower Clique recently audited 70 retail florists' websites and found a common trend of three things that should be fixed immediately. Join the gals as they share those mistakes and generously give you the solutions to make a difference in customer conversions. The One Clique Program at Flower Clique is designed to...

Episode 077:  All of us have memories of special times with our Dad. In honor of Father's Day, Vonda and Lori have asked Ellie LaFever to join to share a special memory and one life changing lesson they have learned from their Dad. Reminisce with the gals and you might find yourself with a similar lesson that will be sure to bring a smile to your face. Our sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Prep...

Episode.  076:   Vonda and Lori kick off a new monthly features that will spotlight a Flower Clique member who will be sharing their floral story. Every flower shop owner has a different journey, but in each there are similarities. Join to hear how Christy Doonan, owner of Alice's Country Rose Floral in Toppenisch, Washington started in the floral shop at a young age, works hard like most in...

Episode 075: Weddings are coming back strong post Covid-19. Vonda and Lori share excerpts from a webinar with experts Julie Poeltler AIFD, PFCI owner of Fountain of Flowers in Lone Tree,  IA and Flower Clique Strategic Creative Advisor and Mark Griffith, product specialist for Bill Doran Company in Omaha. Julie and Mark talk about the importance of clear communication between the wedding designer...

Episode 074: Many business owners took the time to pause and re-evaluate their day to day operations which often resulted in a pivot. Vonda and Lori share a few of the many positive unexpected pivots that have come out of the business shift and as well as encourage everyone to give each other grace moving forward.  One thing that great business owners learned was  with change comes new and great o...

Episode 073:  Vonda and Lori discuss the long standing phrase, "The customer is always right". and why it's not the best way to conduct your business. The phrase  was coined by Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridge’s department store in London in 1909 and has been used for years by businesses to convince customers that they will get good service at this company and encour...

Episode 072: Mother's Day 2021 brought about many challenges for flower growers, importers, wholesale florists as well as the retail florist.  Like so much in life, there's a backstory, what you don't see, behind that smilin' face (or pretty flower in this case). Vonda and Lori are joined by Audrey Kristoff, product manager at Flower Clique , to hear some of the challenges that...

Episode 071: Ellie LaFever joins Vonda and Lori to share a few Mother's Day memories and give some great tips on staying sane for the crazy week of Mother's Day. Join the gals for a laugh or two and and 3 ways to prepare yourself and your body to deal with the stress every day! Watch for the Bran Muffin Recipe on IG and our Business and Pleasure of Flowers Facebook  Group. Our Sponsors:...

Episode 070: Being prepared for a major holiday, like Mother's Day, can make the difference between order or chaos. It always feels good to “check it off your list.”! Join Vonda and Lori as they share their holiday check list along with ideas to ensure you’re ready as possible for the weeks ahead. The Business and Pleasure of Flowers Flower Prep School Flower Clique Sales Prep School Sponsore...

Episode 069: Motivating your team can sometimes be a challenge. Then there’s the question, do you do it individually or as an overall team? Lori has worked intimately with flower shop owners and shares  incentive experiences of successful, highly productive Flower Cliques member shops. There might just be an idea here to bring your team to the next level! 😊 Link to the Teleflora Magical Mother&ap...