The Business & Pleasure of Flowers

Episode 167:  This week, we got to catch up with one of our friends, Corrine Heck! She's one busy bee and the founder and CEO of Details Software, a seriously powerful software solution for florists.   We discuss: • How Corrine went from event florist to software CEO • A peek inside Details Software, and how it can work for florists (even ones who don't do weddings & events) • Her pa...

Episode 166: Dr. Nicole Price returns to the podcast to chat with about Lori and Vonda about Empathy.   Employees value empathic leadership.  They want to not only do their job, but feel as they are a person with a position working for someone who cares. To the surprise of many, empathy is a skill that can be learned. It is not a born attribute.  Join in the conversation with Dr. Nicole Price and...

Episode 165: Vonda and Lori talk color with Sarah Botchick, general, marketing and purchasing manager of Pioneer Imports and Wholesale.  Sarah shares her thoughts on the Pantone color of the year, her experience with changes in purchasing  these past few years and that to expect for Prom this year.    View the trend report: https://www.pioneerwholesaleco.com/prom-trends-2023 Order early, beat the...

Episode 164: We know that you are in the thick of designing and providing the best customer experience possible and there's not much we can offer you at this point. You've got this! These next few days, the delivery driver has a huge responsibility as they are the last leg of the relay.  We've talked with many shop owners and these are the common tips that we're passing along. ...

Episode 163: With a week until Valentine's Day, the last thing you need is to feel overwhelmed or learn something new that you're likely to forget.  So for this episode, we kept it lighthearted. We talk about what we've been up to in business and in life, answer some listener questions, and then Ellie asks Vonda & Lori 10 fun rapid-fire questions so you can get to know them bett...

Episode 162: The single busiest day of year for a flower shop is Valentine's Day and with the increased number of customers served those few days, it's important to get it right! Clear communication is essential in customer satisfaction in any sale, but flower sales can be even more challenging. Simple words or phrases that are used and understood daily in a flower shop might have a tota...

Episode 161: The countdown to Valentine's Day is on! Vonda, Lori, and Kami share a LOT of information, from projecting sales and what to sell to preparing your sales staff and website must-knows. These are great tips and as well as a checklist for your preparations.  Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 160: The floral industry has so many amazing career opportunities, however, we've fallen short on engaging the "inquiring minds" of children when they are starting to think about what they want to be when they grow up. Here enters Seed Your Future! Vonda and Lori and joined by Jazmin Albarran, the executive director of Seed Your Future. She shares all you need to know, from...

Episode 159: Lori and Vonda give an overview of the book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni which discusses the pitfalls and challenges a leadership team faces and discuss how these directly relate to a retail floral business. Focusing on negative is not what this is episode is about ~ it's about knowing the pitfalls as to avoid them!  Sponsored by: Flower Clique...

Episode 158: It's anniversary time! Flower Clique and our podcast are celebrating three years, heading into year number four!  Ellie LaFever and Kami Martin join Vonda and Lori to answer these three questions:  –Is it what you thought it would be?  –What was your biggest surprise? –What is one thing you hope to achieve in 2023? Join us for some really good reflection and fun insight. ❤️  Spon...

Episode 157: Everywhere you look you see  predictions for 2023. Everything from thoughts on the economy and sales to personal growth and mental wellness. Vonda and Lori share their thoughts and ideas on what to expect or work toward in the new year.  Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 156: We've all heard about the importance of social platforms to bring awareness to your brand and products, and Tik Tok is no different.  Lori is a TikTokker and Vonda is not, which is not a surprise to most of you Cliquers. In this episode Lori is sharing what she's learned and the advantages for you to download the app and join in the adventure.   Sponsored by: Flower Clique F...

Episode 155: We all know the value of communication, but when it comes to your team it couldn't be more true. Clear, open and respectful communication is what the best teams are built on. Lori and Vonda share six important tips for effective communication. This is a re-play of Episode 42 with valuable information as we approach the holidays. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep Scho...

Episode 154: Each year the month of December brings the challenge  of how to best organize your product, staff and time to be able to meet the demands for Christmas centerpieces and florals right before the holiday. Ralph Giordano AIFD and owner of Giordano's Floral Creations in Fort Pierce, FL is a 4th generation florist and well respected in the floral industry. Today he shares his secrets...

Episode 153: Ellie is back for the second episode in our NextGen podcast series, where she interviews NextGen floral professionals & friends under forty.  Today the spotlight is on Ryan Black, Marketing & Media Director for Jet Fresh Flowers, and SAF's 2022 Marketer of the Year. Get a history lesson in Ryan's past that led him into his blooming role, discover a typical work day a...

Episode 152:  A one-year collaboration in the making between the Flower Clique girls (Vonda, Lori & Ellie) and Abby Chick,  floral educator and retail shop owner, is FINALLY REVEALED on today's episode.  This retail floristry curriculum took on a life of its own, and we're so happy to share it with the world!  An all-encompassing educational course developed by four experts, tailored...

Episode 151: There's so much buzz about what to expect with flower sales in the looming recession, so Vonda and Lori asked Bill LaFever, president of the Bill Doran Company, to get his professional input. With over 30 wholesale floral locations and years of experience, Bill has some great input and words of advice on the economy.  He also addresses some supply chain issues and shares some of...

Episode 150: We're surrounded by challenges every day. They are both personal and business related, some bigger than others, but all needing your attention. Vonda and Lori share five tips to overcome the biggest (or smallest) of challenges. Be sure and listen to then end where Lori shares information about Biosphere 2 and what it has to do with you and challenges.  Sponsored by: Flower Clique...

Episode 149:  It's been a bit since Vonda and Lori had a chance to chat and share with the Cliquers.  😉 It's both personal and  business with a few new ideas from Lori  on hiring and attrition.  Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 148: In this episode, Vonda and Lori continue their conversation with Barry Gottlieb.  Barry Gottlieb is a trusted business advisor and personal mentor, with a successful practice offering counsel and guidance to both private individuals and corporations. In this episode, learn a bit more about Barry's story of strength, resilience and how his a lost dog influenced his life.    Gottli...

Episode 147: Barry Gottlieb is a trusted business advisor and personal mentor, with a successful practice offering counsel and guidance to both private individuals and corporations. In this episode, learn how to make smarter business decisions, discover insight into top performance, and resources you can use to become more successful as a leader. Barry and his partners successfully started and Con...

Episode 146: It was only fitting that NextGen's very own, Nicole Palazzo, made her debut in the first episode of our NextGen podcast series, where Ellie interviews NextGen floral professionals & friends under forty.  In this one-on-one candid interview, get to know the real Nicole. She shares her experience growing up in a retail florist, cautionary tales for raising children in the indus...

Episode 145: It's replay day! This is an excellent interview with Dr. Nicole Price, a 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 he...

Episode 144: Being a good manager can be a challenge. Vonda and Lori share ten "survival rules" to help a manager navigate the little things in the day-to- day in your business. They're easy to understand and execute and will be sure to give you a chuckle. Lori Wilson is the Director of Community for Flower Clique and loves to read and research ways to help managers and owners conne...

Episode 143: SAF (Society of American Florists) 2022 Convention in Orlando was a great success! In our last episode (ep. 142) we were joined by Ellie LaFever PFCI for a recap, and what we felt were our most important takeaways. In this episode, Lori and Ellie took the opportunity to pull SAF attendees aside and ask them all the same question: "What are you investing in your business now, to m...