The Business & Pleasure of Flowers

Episode 291:  What’s the #1 factor influencing your flower shop’s success? Spoiler: it’s not your flowers. In this episode, Lori dives deep into why your team is the most powerful profit driver in your business. From the power of first impressions to the role of education, empowerment, and authentic customer service, she shares real-world tips, data-backed insights, and even a clever BLOOM framewo...

Episode 290: Lori and Vonda kick off with a hilarious (and slightly traumatic) story that every light sleeper will understand—then dive into a list of powerful quotes that spark real conversation on growth, mindset, leadership, and control (or lack thereof). Whether you’re a flower shop owner, team leader, or just trying to make sense of your own journey, this episode reminds us we’re always chang...

Episode 289:  Recorded on Lori's birthday, Lori and Vonda are joined by the one and only Marlin Hargrove—freelance designer, industry educator, and master storyteller. What begins with bus-ride memories from a trip to Holland quickly unfolds into a deeply moving and wildly entertaining conversation. Marlin opens up about his 44-year journey through every corner of the floral industry—from sho...

Episode 288:  In this honest and behind-the-scenes episode, Vonda, Lori, and Ellie unpack the highs, lows, and lessons from Flower Clique’s most ambitious photo shoot to date—capturing Fall, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day collections in one marathon session. From binder chaos and perceived value challenges to hats and 13-hour shoot days, they share what made this shoot different—and harder—than ev...

Episode 287: Lori and Vonda sit down with Amanda Jedlinsky, Senior Director of Content and Communications at the Society of American Florists (SAF), for a fun and insightful conversation about team building, the power of in-person events, and what attendees can expect from this year’s SAF Convention. They also dive into the value of industry networking, staying inspired, and why now is the time to...

Episode 286:  Lori and Vonda sit down with floral industry leaders and AIFD past presidents Lori Novak and Frank Feysa to talk all things AIFD Symposium. From personal stories of their first experiences to the evolution of the event into a must-attend educational powerhouse, this episode is filled with passion, insight, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of what makes AIFD so impactful. Whether you’re...

Episode 285:  In this inspiring conversation, Lori and Vonda welcome Monty Pereira, General Manager of Watanabe Floral, Inc. in Honolulu, Hawaii. Monty shares his journey from CPA to floral industry leader and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Watanabe Floral has grown into one of Hawaii’s most respected operations. They discuss the impact of Hawaiian culture on the business, the importance o...

Episode 284: Summer has officially begun, and we’re diving into everything from backyard baseball memories to how summer traffic and summer hours impact our daily lives. But beyond the nostalgia, we’re focusing on what’s truly important for your flower shop: summer goals, mindset, and staying ahead! Join Lori and Vonda as they explore how the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in our brains shapes...

Episode 283: Join Lori and Vonda as they dive into the highs and lows of this year’s Mother’s Day sales, share their thoughts on how technology is making us all a bit lazier (and maybe dumber!), and discuss their busy summer ahead. They also reflect on how GPS and AI tools like ChatGPT might be impacting our critical thinking, this candid episode covers it all. They also chat with special guest Ra...

Episode 282: In this episode, Vonda admits her struggle with staying focused (and awake) while reading—and Lori steps in with practical, real-life strategies and successes for actually remembering what you read. From turning chapters into movies in your mind to handwritten notes and the power of audiobooks, they cover it all—plus, how these techniques apply not just to personal growth, but to lead...

Episode 281: What do the Pope, memory care planters, and your favorite steakhouse have in common? More than you think. In this episode, Lori and Vonda take a thoughtful (and often funny) dive into recent global events—the passing of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV —and what it reminded them about unity, leadership, and the power of actions over words . From emotional crowd scenes to...

Episode 280:  It’s just us this time—back to a catch up with Vonda and Lori.  We’re catching up on everything from awkward customer service stories to deep confessions (like sitting at the kids’ table… on purpose). Plus, Lori shares the latest with Lenny and his big fishing tournament that wasn’t quite what it seemed. It’s funny, heartfelt, and exactly the breather we all need post-Mother’s Day. S...

Episode 279:  Get ready for a heartwarming ride! Vonda is joined by flower friends Tim Farrell AIFD and Julie Poeltler AIFD as they share stories (and lots of laughs) from their unforgettable trip to Holland. From wandering endless tulip fields  to creating floral art and making new lifelong memories, this episode is a celebration of friendship, flowers, and the simple joy of adventure. Come for t...

Episode 278: Today’s guest is the one and only Mike Black, “Head Coach” of Jet Fresh—and if you know Mike, you know he’s way more than just a title. Lori and Vonda sit down with him to talk about mentorship in the floral industry and generational leadership. Mike shares stories from his early days in the flower biz, his take on today’s younger generation (spoiler: he’s a fan), and the exciting pro...

Episode 277: This week, Lori and Ellie sit down with floral royalty — the dynamic father-daughter duo of Botanica Design Studio , Ian Prosser AIFD and Zoe Gallina. From Scottish flower shops to high-end luxury weddings, these two share the behind-the-scenes of growing a family business over nearly four decades. They talk trends (goodbye blush, hello meadows), share hilarious client stories (yes, t...

In this special impromptu episode, Lori sits down with Ellie and Abby Chick, retail florist & advisor from Blakemore Flowers, to unpack the “T-word” that’s on everyone’s lips: tariffs. With pricing pressures mounting and Mother’s Day around the corner, this candid conversation explores what florists can actually control in the face of supply chain unpredictability. From wholesaler confusion to...

Episode 276: Lori, Vonda, and Ellie get real about the not-so-glamorous side of floral life—aching feet, long days, and the absolute need to take care of YOU (and your team). From surprising celeb sightings at Round Top to stocking the perfect florist fuel station, we dive into practical (and fun!) wellness tips to keep you healthy, happy, and productive through Mother’s Day and beyond. You’ll lau...

Episode 275: In this fun and info-packed episode, Vonda and Lori sit down with Paul and Tony Guerrie, the brilliant (and delightfully humble) co-founders of FlowerBuddy, Inc. If you’ve ever wished for a smarter, simpler way to manage the business side of your flower shop—this one’s for you, Cliquers! The Guerrie brothers talk about how FlowerBuddy was born from real-life floral frustrations (thank...

Episode 274:  Join hosts Vonda and Lori as they chat with Beth O’Reilly, an internationally recognized floral artist and educator. Beth takes us on a journey through her dynamic career—covering everything from retail floristry to product development in China to mass market floral design. They reminisce about industry mentors, the power of showing up, and how opportunities often bloom from unexpect...

Episode 273: Vonda and Lori are joined by Flower Clique's other two directors, Kami Martin and Ellie LaFever, in this episode packed with tangible takeaways to help your flower shop thrive this spring. From prepping for Mother’s Day and prom season to tackling pricing concerns and marketing strategies, the team shares expert tips to set you up for success. They dive into everything from how t...

Episode 272:  Ever scrolled through social media and cringed at the comments? Vonda and Lori dive into the all-too-common issue of online negativity and how it translates into real-world interactions—especially in the workplace. From handling tough conversations with employees to setting social media boundaries, they share practical steps for engaging with empathy, checking emotions, and fostering...

Episode 271: It’s never easy to have that much-needed conversation with an employee who’s disrupting your company culture. Avoiding the issue may seem easier, but it can do more harm in the long run. Lori and Vonda share practical tips to make tough conversations—and letting go—less difficult. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 270: In this episode, Vonda and Lori continue their conversation with Sarah Botchick, General Marketing and Purchasing Manager at Pioneer Imports & Wholesale. They dive into the world of floral trend forecasting—how trends are identified, what’s driving consumer preferences, and the evolving role of permanent botanicals in weddings, events, and everyday design. Sarah shares expert insi...

Episode 269: Grab a cup of coffee and join hosts Vonda and Lori as they sit down with Sarah Botchick, Marketing & Purchasing Manager at Pioneer Imports & Wholesale. Sarah takes us back to the ‘90s when she built the company’s very first website as a high school student—yes, dial-up internet and all! You’ll hear how that humble start evolved into a dynamic online presence that keeps Pioneer...

Episode 268: Flowers are known to speak the unspoken sentiments of love, care gratitude and sincerity, but sometimes the accompanying notes have a whole lot more to say – especially at Valentine's Day! In this episode, Lori and Vonda asked Flower Clique members to share the most unusual (and occasionally jaw-dropping) Valentine’s Day card messages they’ve ever received from a customer. Tune i...