The Business & Pleasure of Flowers

Episode 068: When it comes to online search marketing methods to generate traffic to your website, there's SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and PPC (Pay for Click). Vonda and Lori share snippets from a Flower Clique members session with Ryan Freeman from Strider where he explains what they are, how they work, if you need one or both and how you can measure the results. If you've had call...

Episode 067: Being a leader takes a lot of hard work and dedication, at the same time you're faced with some tough challenges. Trying to keep it positive and not let the known or unknown challenge control your mood  or cause misplaced anger is tough.  Vonda and Lori share stories and tips for a leader (or anyone!) to use to best cope with  challenges. FlowerPrepSchool SalesPrepSchool Flower C...

Episode 066: Vonda and Lori share a few sweet Easter memories and discuss where and why there is less demand for flowers this spring holiday and what you might think of doing to bring customer appreciation back. The power might just be in your hands! Our Sponsors Flower Prep School Flower Clique The Business and Pleasure of Flowers Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Re...

Episode 065: What does the floral industry look like post Covid? What's causing the shortages in fresh, hard good supplies, and plants? When will the supply chain be back to normal? We don't have a crystal ball, but we do have some an expert with some solid insight. Vonda chats with Bill LaFever, President of Bill Doran Company , a wholesale floral company with 31 locations in the US, to...

Episode 064: It's a struggle to determine where our time is best spent, and then who and when to delegate a few tasks to free up our time.  Then of course, there's the frustration of someone else completing the task in a different way, which tries your patience. Time management is tough! Join Vonda and Lori as they give tips to help you affectedly delegate for the best results. This pres...

Episode 063: We all tend to procrastinate. Some tasks (or frogs) are tougher to complete (or swallow). 😊 Join Vonda and Lori in their book talk as they relate these tasks to those in a flower shop and suggest a few of these ways you can stop procrastinating and get more done. A lot of food for thought here. Support our Sponsors Flower Clique Flower Prep School Join our Podcast Facebook Group Spon...

Episode 062: Marie Ackerman was an icon in the floral industry and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Today Vonda is joined by Julie Poeltler AIFD, PFCI, IMF, CFA and Tim Farrell AIFD, PFCI, AAF, who were close friends of Marie, to chat among friends and share a few stories about Marie. Marie touched so many lives, in so many ways that we truly will never know the extent of the ripple e...

Episode 061: Many times circumstances keep us from resetting at the turn of the calendar. In the Flower Shop, or Floral World,  Valentine's Day keeps us distracted until now. Vonda and Lori chat about why, share an interesting study and give quick tips on how to RESET. They also mention the new Sales Prep School that will launch on March 16, 2021! It will join our Flower Prep School and Flowe...

Episode 060: Vonda and Lori are joined by Ellie LaFever, Creative Director of Flower Clique, to talk about the exciting projects they've been working on this past week.  From new website photos and recipes for Spring and Mother's Day to a much awaited Sales Prep School! Listen to  the interview with Vonda and Ellie on The Dog Walk - Wednesday 2/10/21 - Flower Shop Owner Eddie is joined b...

Episode 059:  Vonda and Lori rewind to Episode 6 when they walk through the 4 must-know rules of customer service.  As you know, customer service in business is EVERYTHING! These customer service rules are easy to remember and follow and will make customers happy and coming back for flowers time and again!   To see the details go here: https://www.thebusinessandpleasureofflowers.com/ Our sponsors:...

Episode 058: Customers can be challenging these days and employees get discouraged easily. Vonda and Lori discuss ways to keep up the moral while keeping customer satisfaction at the highest level. They are also joined by Kami Martin, Director of Flower Clique's One Clique Program with important tips for a successful website for the holiday! If you need a quick training session to process flo...

Episode 057: Join Vonda  and Jerome Raska AIFD, AAF, PFCI, MCF as they chat about thoughts on everything from the Covid challenge to marketing ideas for Valentine's Day. This is a conversation you won't want to miss. Jerome is the co-owner of Blumz...by JRDesigns in the Detroit metro area with 2 locations, a Teleflora Education Specialist  and  President of Great Lakes Floral Association...

Episode 056: Vonda and Lori share some great info for Valentine's Day this year. No doubt, it's going to be different, just like everything else, but what's the pulse of flower shop owners? Join the duo as they share ideas and insight from Flower Clique members about  subjects from dealing with less employees to how you can creatively market yourself this year. You won't want t...

Episode 055: Do you start out the year with a word to inspire you? Vonda and Lori talk about the importance of a "word for the year" to guide you, and discuss setting goals and creating a vision board and how they can help in the decisions you make this year (both personal and business.) It's all about you! The Business and Pleasure of Flowers Our Sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Prep...

Episode 054: Vonda and Lori have made completed 1 year of weekly podcasts and are excited for what 2021 brings. Also celebrating 1 year is their sponsor, Flower Clique! Joining in the celebration are Ellie LaFever and Kami Martin, to chat about the important goals that were met this past year and what's next. They all agree, it's about elevating the floral business! Learn more about The...

053: As we wind down the challenging year of 2020 and look forward to 2021, Vonda and Lori share a lessons observed and move on with tips on what you can do to take control in 2021! See more at: The Business and Pleasure of Flowers Our Sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Prep School Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 052: What do the holidays look like for you this year? For most, it's looking different that in years past. Change is never easy and this one could be extremely difficult for many. Vonda and Lori share a few tips to help make the best of it and get though this year. See more at The Business and Pleasure of Flowers Our sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Prep School Sponsored by: Flower Cli...

Episode 051: So many business owners are getting run down, almost exhausted, between running the business and worrying about what's next. Join Vonda and Lori as they share 3 areas that you should save some energy to be able to jump right into the New Year.  They're easy, practical and will give you permission to take some rest! Also, a link to Ellie's Gift Guide , as promised. Our S...

Episode 050: Vonda and Lori chat with Ace Berry AIFD, PFCI about  his experience as a participant on the HBO Max Show, Full Bloom.  Tune in and hear Ace's take on everything from the  process of selecting  the  participants to how he dealt with each new challenge. Ace wants to pay it forward and share his experience in a few different ways.  Spoiler Alert: We discuss the winner in this podcas...

Episode 049: Join Vonda and Lori as they chat about current flower shop events including decorating installs and social media marketing ideas. They also recap some thoughts on the HBOMax series, Full Bloom, and what's to come and conclude with post Thanksgiving thoughts that remind us that we all have so much of which to be thankful.  Full Bloom Our sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Prep School...

Episode 048: Vonda and Lori are joined by floral designer Beth O'Reilly AIFD TMF and have an opportunity to get some of the inside story about her experience as a participant on the HBO Max Show, Full Bloom. From the process of selecting  the 10 participants to how it feels  waiting to see if you're next to be cut off the show, you'll hear it first hand and won't want to miss w...

Episode 047:  Vonda chats with J. Schwanke,  a true floral celebrity, about his journey from life in a flower shop to TV Host and Producer. His love and expertise of flowers, coupled with his  passion to share education and his warm personality, make him the perfect TV host! You can learn more about J. at uBloom The special offer for 50% off any membership With Discount Code: FLOWERCLIQUE uBloom/j...

Episode 046: Vonda and Lori talk a bit about a book they find fascinating. This read can help you discover why a friend shares something with you, or you want to share something exciting with them .  But it can also give you ideas for marketing your business. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by author Jonah Berger is a book packed with stories and studies that we think you too will find enjoyable....

Episode 045: In this interview Vonda asks Bill LaFever, owner of the Bill Doran Company, what the retail florist might expect not only for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2020, but also beyond into Valentine's Day 2021. Bill offers great insight into the logistical challenges wholesalers are experiencing to bring products to the retailer and offers sound advice on the best way to be prepared. Lear...

Episode 044: There is a lot going on in the day to day operations of your shop. Are you tossing and turning or waking in the night? Do you have so much on your mind that you feel anxious?  Lori and Vonda talk about a few things that can be the cause of your anxiety and ways to help you manage and use it to your advantage! More about the podcast The Business and Pleasure of Flowers and their sponso...