The Business & Pleasure of Flowers

Episode 142: Society of American Florists just concluded their annual convention in Orlando last week. It was packed with great information... from an industry update from Kate Penn, CEO of the organization, to the announcement of marketer of the year, Jet Fresh Distributors , all of the AAF and PFCI inductees (including two of our own!) and jam-packed days of educational sessions.  Vonda, Lori an...

Episode 141:  Vonda and Lori chat about what's going in in Flower Clique and beyond, from a recent professional photo shoot and all of the work it entails to connecting with others at SAF in Orlando this week.  There is a lot happening and Lori will joining in a session and might be a bit starstruck with a special someone.  Listen in to find out who.   😊 Our sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Pr...

Episode 140: Vonda is joined by her bestie, Julie Poeltler AIFD, PFCI from Julie's Fountain of Flowers in the Iowa City, IA area. With over 40 years of owning her retail shop, Julie shares her thoughts on what's happening in her business and how she has made necessary adjustments. She also talks about the increase of kindness and trust of her customers and how she has built those relatio...

Episode 139: In this episode, we sat down with The Jet Fresh guys, Mike, Fern, & Ryan. These guys know a thing or two about how to have fun and work hard at the same time, and they're making some waves in the floral industry right now for the right reasons. Get a glimpse into their origin story, how their incredible work culture and business took flight, and how to foster a team that is h...

Episode 138: The work-like balance is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, however, it is easier said than done! Vonda and Lori discuss some current balance challenges and offer a few realistic tips to help you regain control. Our sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep Schools Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 137: The  Society of American Florists (SAF) Next Gen Conference was held in Miami on July 31 and August 1st and 2nd, and was a BIG hit! Vonda interviews Lori and Ellie to find out what they felt the biggest difference was in this conference over others they have attended, besides the ages of the attendees.  The both come away energized and exhausted. Join in to hear why. Our sponsors: Flo...

Episode 136: Vonda spend the past weekend in Phoenix, AZ joining many talented designers at the Arizona State Floral Association Convention as they celebrated 70 years. She was there representing Teleflora with a main stage program "What's Next: We've come a long way, but what should be expect going forward?" In the podcast today she shares some of her message. Sponsors: Flower...

Episode 135: Many retail shops are experiencing a summer slowdown similar to pre-pandemic times. It's only temporary. When business resumes as usual, the businesses that will thrive are the ones that are creating more efficient systems in place now. In this episode, Vonda and Lori are joined by Kami Martin, Director of One Clique at Flower Clique. We explain the lowdown on what exactly our me...

Episode 134: We often are relieved when we find the right hire, only to be disappointed when they leave after a short time. Vonda and Lori share some real life owner issues that many retail businesses are dealing with right now. The good news is they discuss a self check list you can implement right away! Our sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep Schools Flower Clique Sympathy Prep Sponsored...

Episode 133: It was a great week at AIFD National Symposium! Vonda, Lori and Ellie were joined by Julie Poeltler to represent Flower Clique at the Partners Showcase, as well as to reconnect with their floral family. Vonda and Julie also presented on the Main Stage alongside fellow Teleflora Education Specialists for the emotional design program "PULSE". In this episode, Lori and Ellie to...

Episode 132: We have so much to be thankful for in our lives and as we have celebrated the independence of America, Vonda and Lori reflect a few that are very important to all of us as well as some you might not be aware of.  Did you know that it was only 34 years ago that women were free to get a loan? Join us to celebrate! Our sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Sponsored by: Flowe...

Episode 131: Vonda and Lori circle back around and recap some really important points from  the past four episodes in our Who's the Boss series.  Each leadership role might vary, from a shop leadership changing from one generation to the next or having a partner share in the responsibility, however, each of the shop owners shared the four common attributes. One was being a good listener and n...

Episode 130: Vonda and Lori are joined by returning guest Abby Chick from Blakemore's Flowers in Harrisonburg, VA.  Abby shares some great tips for success in managing the relationship with an absentee partner in business. Abby also shares some great gained insight, after 10 years in business, on how to gain respect in being the "boss". Our sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep...

Episode 129: Up next in our "Who's the Boss" series are mother and son, Holly Zschokke, 2nd generation owner of Glassing Florist in Inver Grove Heights, MN and Derek Zschokke who will be the 3rd generation. Lori and Vonda have know Derek for over 10 years and have watched and waited for this transition. Both Holly and Derek share important insight on each of their positions in the p...

Episode 128: Our new summer series, Who's the Boss?, starts with a husband and wife team. Beth and Dwain Wilwol have a unique situation, working together everyday in their shop, The Gift Garden , located in Bennington, VT.  Vonda and Lori chat with them about the balance of responsibilities and mutual respect needed to own and operate side by side each day (and oftentimes into the early morni...

Episode 127: Lori and Ellie sit down with Nicole Palazzo from City Line Florist and Derek Woodruff AAF,  AIFD, PFCI to talk about Next Gen, the Society of American Florist grou p for floral pros age 45 and under. Nicole and Derek share information about the history as well as why it is so important to our industry. This year SAF is  hosting the first ever Next Gen Conference in Miami - July 31-Aug...

Episode 126: In the last episode Michael Martin, Teleflora EVP & GM of Sales & Membership shared with Vonda and Lori a bit about himself and his background. Today he shares really important skills necessary to be a great leader as well something meaningful about second chances. There are so many take aways in this episode ~ you don't want to miss it. Our sponsors: Flower Clique Flower...

Episode 125: In this episode Vonda and Lori had the opportunity to chat with Michael Martin, from Teleflora and learn more about his background and leadership style. We often think executives are born leaders, extroverts and think they know all. In part 1 of this casual conversation Michael, he shares some surprising insight on his experience leading the team at Teleflora . Our sponsors: Flower Cl...

Episode 124: Mother's Day 2022 is in the books! Vonda and Lori share experiences of flower shop owners, many of them Flower Clique members. There were some really important   take-aways this year that might be good to have in your knowledge bank for the next holiday. We are firm believers that what we learn we should share with one another and a grateful heart can make us happier and the worl...

Episode 123: With Mother's Day coming right up, we thought it would be a good time for an episode to reflect on the early days of our careers in the floral industry. Vonda is joined by Katy Miller, who now works for Flower Clique and Tim Farrell AIFD, AAF, PFCI owner of Farrell's Florist and Teleflora Education Team Senior Advisor and Industry Ambassador,  to remember when...Join us for...

Episode 122: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a huge topic. What to do and what not to do. The difference between paid and organic search. Do I need to hire an SEO expert or can I do it myself? So many questions. In this webinar recap Ryan Freeman, owner of Strider SEO addresses these questions and more, including some action items you can do before Mother's Day. Zoom Webinar session Our S...

Episode 121: Many flower shops sell a variety of gifts and balloons, in addition to flowers. In episode,  Lori speaks with a Flower Clique member, Denise Chresos, owner of The Flower and Balloon Gallery LLC in Indiana, PA who has taken the balloon side of her business to a whole new level! Our sponsors: Flower Clique Prep Schools Flower Clique Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School...

Episode 120:  Are you feeling that you can finally catch your breath and business seems to be a bit slower than last year at this time? Do you find it challenging to hire new employees that want to stay with you for the long term? Vonda and Lori cover both of these important subjects currently trending in the floral industry. Our Sponsors: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Sponsored by: Flow...

Episode 119: Vonda and Lori are joined by Audrey Kristoff, Product Manager at Flower Clique , to chat about sympathy sales. We recently hosted a webinar for FC members only and shared facts about trends in the funeral business (available from National Funeral Directors Association website ) as well as tips on how to increase sales in your store. In the webinar Ralph Giordano AIFD from Giordano&apo...

Episode 118: There is often a disconnect between the leadership on the team and the other staff members, which can cause frustration, dissension and even valuable employees to walk away. If only you could read the mind of your employee ~ or if your employees could read your mind! Vonda and Lori share actual stories of what owners thought they communicated clearly and how it was perceived totally d...