How We Bloom: Recent Episodes
Sharon McGukin AIFD, AAF, PFCI
How We Bloom is an oasis of flower Ideas. Design. Sales. Marketing. Business. We know that every great success story starts with one simple idea. A challenge that requires change. Like the unfurling petals of a flower we grow by changing form. This growth opens us up to new ideas and opportunities. On How We Bloom, Sharon McGukin interviews guests who dare to do things differently. Brought to you by Smithers-Oasis, we share the stories of people who plant seeds, grow ideas and bloom to their full potential. We listen. Learn. Grow. And, that’s How We Bloom!
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Learn 10 Creative Ways to Use Design Master Paint with pro-level floral spray techniques offered by Gretchen Sell of Design Master. Discover how to conceal blemishes, customize colors, up-cycle old products, and create show-stopping designs. You can transform ordinary flowers into extraordinary art with these creative color spray tips.
👉 Listen now on the How We Bloom podcast or read the full article on Floral Hub.
How we Bloom podcast is an oasis of flower ideas. Host Sharon McGukin of Smithers-Oasis North America interviews floral guests who dare to do things differently. We listen, learn, explore new opportunities and that's how we bloom!
Send us a text
Flowers can do more than decorate a room. They comfort families, honor memories, and can sustain a business. For Jeanna Furst AIFD, growing the sympathy side of her family’s 120-year-old floral business introduced a thriving revenue stream, now representing nearly 27% of sales. In this episode, she shares the strategies, tools, and team practices that helped her turn compassion into consistent business growth — and how you can do the same.
How we Bloom podcast is an oasis of flower ideas. Host Sharon McGukin of Smithers-Oasis North America interviews floral guests who dare to do things differently. We listen, learn, explore new opportunities and that's how we bloom!
Send us a text
In this episode of How We Bloom podcast and Floral Hub blog,we explore the art and architecture of floral design by expanding your toolkit of floral design techniques. Design is the “wow” that stirs emotion - technique is the “how” that gives it form. Discover how to use floral mechanics to shape your signature style. Whether you're designing a delicate wedding bouquet or a dramatic centerpiece, these flower arranging tips will elevate your creativity - and that’s How We Bloom.
How we Bloom podcast is an oasis of flower ideas. Host Sharon McGukin of Smithers-Oasis North America interviews floral guests who dare to do things differently. We listen, learn, explore new opportunities and that's how we bloom!
Send us a text
Join floral expert Sharon McGukin and flower friends who share memories of a breathtaking tulip tour through The Netherlands. From vibrant flower fields to historic flower auctions, wooden shoes, cheese-making, and world-class gardens like the iconic Keukenhof. This podcast shares a rich blend of Dutch culture, floral history, and personal behind-the-scenes moments from a petal-filled tour that’s sure to inspire your next floral adventure.
How we Bloom podcast is an oasis of flower ideas. Host Sharon McGukin of Smithers-Oasis North America interviews floral guests who dare to do things differently. We listen, learn, explore new opportunities and that's how we bloom!
Send us a text
Every florist knows the struggle, designing the perfect arrangement, then stressing over how it’s delivered. Frustrated by last-minute disasters that can turn a beautiful creation into a logistical nightmare. Say goodbye to delivery stress! Christine Foley, of Caddy Up Solutions, designed The Flower Caddy to transport floral arrangements safely, efficiently, and stress-free. Learn how she turned a common floral frustration into an eco-friendly, Made-in-USA solution that saves time and money. A solution created by a florist, for florists – assisted by the National Inventors Club. Chris offers ideas for identifying problems and creating solutions in your floral business. She also includes helpful money saving tips for wedding prep. Read the blog or listen to the podcast to learn more.
How we Bloom podcast is an oasis of flower ideas. Host Sharon McGukin of Smithers-Oasis North America interviews floral guests who dare to do things differently. We listen, learn, explore new opportunities and that's how we bloom!
Send us a text
Vincent van Gogh once said, “A floral designer is a master of transformation, turning humble flowers into extraordinary works of art.”
Join us for this podcast episode, as we explore Floral Design Techniques - the art of creatively organizing floral material placements to transform simple arrangements into stunning masterpieces."
How we Bloom podcast is an oasis of flower ideas. Host Sharon McGukin of Smithers-Oasis North America interviews floral guests who dare to do things differently. We listen, learn, explore new opportunities and that's how we bloom!
Send us a text
Australian floral designer Julia Rose had a bold dream—to showcase her outrageous creativity with live botanicals on the New York Fashion Week runway. That dream became reality.
Draping stunning models in breathtaking couture crafted from fresh flowers, Julia brought her vision to life. As her floral masterpieces graced Runway 7 and lit up Times Square, the audience responded with awe and applause.
Now, hear Julia Rose share the story behind her groundbreaking collection and the journey that made it all possible. Tune in to discover how she turned her passion into a moment of fashion history!
How we Bloom podcast is an oasis of flower ideas. Host Sharon McGukin of Smithers-Oasis North America interviews floral guests who dare to do things differently. We listen, learn, explore new opportunities and that's how we bloom!
Send us a text
Discover the rewarding career paths in floriculture available to FFA members! From floral design and horticulture to event planning and marketing, the floral industry offers diverse opportunities to FFA members. This blog shares insights from Randy Wooten and Sharon McGukin about mentoring FFA students, building essential life skills, and participating in the many programs like the Georgia Floral Design Clinic discussed here. Whether you're a florist or simply passionate about floriculture, learn how you can make an impact by guiding the next generation in their floral careers.
How we Bloom podcast is an oasis of flower ideas. Host Sharon McGukin of Smithers-Oasis North America interviews floral guests who dare to do things differently. We listen, learn, explore new opportunities and that's how we bloom!
Send us a text
Revolutionize Your Floral Business with AI & ChatGPT!
You don’t have to be tech-savvy to explore AI solutions for your floral business. Join Sharon McGukin and Brandy Ferrer as they discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the floral industry.
Discover how AI tools, like ChatGPT, can empower florists by streamlining tasks, tracking trends, enhancing marketing strategies, creating social media campaigns, and aiding in employee training without replacing the artistry that defines your floral designs. Sharon and Brandy guide you through practical ways to integrate AI into your flower shop. Giving you more time for your creative flower passion and for staying ahead in the competitive floral market.
How we Bloom podcast is an oasis of flower ideas. Host Sharon McGukin of Smithers-Oasis North America interviews floral guests who dare to do things differently. We listen, learn, explore new opportunities and that's how we bloom!
Learn the Principles & Elements of Design with Sharon McGukin AIFD, AAF, PFCI
Pablo Picasso said it best, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
While it may seem simple enough to drop flowers in a vase and call it an arrangement, even more pleasure can be derived once you’ve learned the fundamentals of design.
These guidelines, the Principles and Elements of Design, are the technically correct manner of placing materials in a design. Learning the proper principles, elements, mechanics and techniques to achieve floral design mastery will help you expand your skills and truly enjoy the artform. This podcast is a great place to start learning the basics.
"Solve problems to create new business," suggests Lenny Walker, VP of sales and operations at Kennicott Brothers Company. Like many business models, the floral industry is changing. Sharon McGukin and Lenny discuss viable ways to enhance your floral business by “Partnering with your Wholesaler.”
Consider their suggestions for communicating with one another, focusing on growing the business and industry together, and reminding consumers of the value of flowers – in order to inspire success. “One flower bunch or stem at a time.”
A Texas Cowboy in Philly?You couldn’t miss this Oasis Ambassador.
On the last day of the 2024 Philadelphia Flower Show, a Texas Cowboy wandered along the flower-fragrant aisles without his horse. Dressed in his Texas cowboy hat, boots, and shirt - with a Texas flag and lone star on it, stood Abel Gonzalez Mencio, AIFD, PFCI, TMF of Casa Granada Floral in La Feria, Texas. He wore a banner that read ‘Texas Designer of the Year’ with his name on the back.
Abel won an Oasis Ambassador contest that sponsored his travel to Philly where he volunteered on the international Schaffer Design team.
“It was amazing!” responds Abel when asked about his first visit to the famous Flower Show. “There’s no other word for it.” When people asked to take photos with him, “I told them a little bit about Texas, Oasis, my Ambassadorship and getting to work with talented designers from around the world.”
Abel shares more of his “amazing” adventures in this podcast.
“Your foundation is the most critical part of anything you build,” says Canadian florist, Lea Romanowski CAFA, AIFD, CAFD. “If your foundation isn't good, if it isn't strong and true, it will affect the entire outcome of the design.” Lea has learned, through the years, the importance of excellent floral mechanics.
Lea - owner of Designing on the Edge, has made an art of pushing the boundaries of design. Lea built the business using her carpentry, painting, metal work and electrical skills earning her the nickname "MacGyver, a fixer of all things visual."
She offers tips and techniques for precision floral mechanics in everyday use, or evaluations and competitions, including AIFD’s PFDE. Lea represented Canada at the 2023 Interflora World Cup in Manchester, England and shares highlights of her global experience.
Need a floral education program where creativity meets business?
Consider EMC- European Master Certification, a floral program developed to nurture the creative and business growth of designers worldwide.
Design visionary Tomas De Bruyne of Belgium, and business strategist Christi Lopez of Virginia, discuss with Sharon McGukin upcoming EMC trend-setting opportunities. This blended learning concept - online courses, self study, and on-site events helps participants expand their floral design potential.
Learn also about ICE – the Infinite Creative Effect. And, details of the upcoming floral event - DUOlogue in Miami.
Listen to this podcast for details!
"Don't be afraid to step out and educate yourself," says Michael Smith AIFD, AAF, PFCI, FDI, FSMD." Education is the key to success."
Michael is a retail florist in Mariana, Florida and winner of the 54th annual Sylvia Cup design competition. He offers sage advice to people who would like to have the opportunity to win a Sylvia Cup or other floral competition.
Participation in competitions or evaluations is one of the very best 'classes' you can ever attend, because you can learn so much when it's just you, the time clock, and the design table. Listen as Michael shares helpful tips for meeting that challenge with success. Learn to trust your talent!
Jenny Thomason, AIFD, AAF, PFCI, EMC of Dallas, Texas represented USA in the 2023 Interflora World Cup in Manchester, England where she placed in the Top 10.
How did she accomplish this feat?
“Your first step is to do something every single day." says Jenny. "Study with designers, take workshops, go to symposium, go to conferences, buy books, subscribe to international magazines, practice. Completely absorb everything possible. Expose yourself to a wider range of floristry. Get out there and do it.”
Listen to this episode for more valuable tips from this floral expert.
“There's nothing that changes the energy of a room, like a bouquet of flowers,” says floral professional Jodi Duncan AIFD. In this flower chat with host, Sharon McGukin AIFD, AAF, PFCI, Jodi offers tips for making fresh flowers a part of your healthy, elevated lifestyle. Jodi also introduces us to her new healthy-focused site the Hungry Florist. Check out this new online gathering place for florists (or their friends) who love, eating, cooking, and creating.
Every wedding designer has experienced ‘that wedding.’ The one where perfect plans suddenly met with unexpected chaos. Sometimes Mother Nature throws us a few challenges, even for those who are at the top of their game. Regaining control requires focus, finesse, and flexibility.
Ian Prosser AIFD, AAF, PFCI reminds us to stop, realize there is a solution, and move forward to find it. Even the most challenging weddings can be taken ‘from Disaster to Delight.’ We love for our flowers to be pretty, but this is a story about being prepared.
"Trends are a fun way to tell a new story" says renowned floral trend forecaster, Talmage McLaurin AIFD. "Trends are not revolutionary, they're evolutionary." Tiny shifts. A movement forward, rather than a disruption. Eye-catching trends capture consumer interest and drive impulse sales. Listen as Talmage shares six floral trends that will inspire us in 2023.
How do flower blooms - fresh from the fields in South America, become the beautiful bouquets we enjoy in North America each day? Paul Miller AIFD, PFCI of Sunshine Bouquet shares the story. Offering insight into the farm … people … and process of growing and importing approximately 1.5 billion flower stems annually. Paul explains how field cut blooms move daily from one continent to another for the pleasure of flower consumers.
How can florists turn chaos into cash this Valentine's Day? Chris Norwood AIFD, PFCI, AAF of Tipton & Hurst in Little Rock, Arkansas offers valuable time and money-saving tips for successful procurement, prep, design and delivery of Valentine flowers. As a bonus, Chris shares his story of making online followers "Happy!"
Dr. Jim DelPrince loves people and petals. This Mississippi State University floral professor taught students for 23 years. As a Mississippi Extension Service Specialist, he now teaches floral design to consumers. This hybrid online/onsite Master Floral Designer course draws attendees from multiple states. From small children to senior citizens, eager participants learn to create beauty by arranging botanicals. Interested? Click here! Jim shares the details with Sharon McGukin in this podcast.
For your business to thrive “You’ve got to be found,” says Renato Sogueco, Vice-President of Digital Strategy and Education at BloomNet. Renato shares with us practical tips for a holistic approach to “Marketing in a Digital Age.”
“This requires your business execute a well-planned digital strategy,” Renato explains. Constant change and development in the digital space may make you feel that you’re coming into it late. But, now is a great time to catch up and move forward to the benefit of your business. “Digital strategy does include social media, but social is really a complimentary strategy - not a main strategy of digital,” Renato continues. He offers solutions that are easy even for the lesser tech-savvy. For example, he suggests that to capture the attention of today’s young consumers - video is the medium of the present and the future. Listen now for more tips on “Marketing in a Digital Age.”
P. Allen Smith, a fifth-generation nurseryman, has parlayed a passion for nature and a southern upbringing into his life’s mission. Becoming one of America’s most talented garden designers. This award-winning designer, Master Gardener, author, and celebrity lifestyle expert, is followed by a worldwide audience. Allen is known sharing for his tried-and-true methods and cutting-edge knowledge with small farm and garden communities. You'll enjoy the entertaining stories he shares today with ‘How we Bloom’ host - Sharon McGukin, from his home at Moss Mountain Farm in Arkansas. You'll want to visit soon!
Investing in yourself is essential for continued personal growth. Learning new skills. Networking with peers. Building confidence. Feeding your passion for the work you do. As the format of business continues to change, so do our educational opportunities. Which learning strategy works best for you?
In this podcast, Sharon McGukin and Jackie Lacey explore the pros and cons of in-person, virtual, and on-demand classes.
- Which style of instruction is best for you?
- What is your style of learning? Visual learner? Avid reader? People person?
- Why set goals? Goals inspire opportunity.
- How can you create a budget for education?
- Could your best opportunity be a blend of classes?
Why invest in yourself? At the fast pace of business today, can you really afford not to?
Click into this podcast for more insight on how you can continue to grow your skills by investing in yourself.
Are you "Mastering the Art of Floral Paint" in this time of flower shortages, painted foliage trends and on-trend metallics? We see the different types of paint (aka color spray) products on shelves in wholesale supply departments. Do you know how each is best used?
In this podcast, we explore the latest tips and techniques for using color spray with flowers by asking the master. Design Master. Education and Creative Director Gretchen Sell of DM joins us to answer our questions.
- Is color spray harmful to fresh flowers?
- Do you paint a vase the same way you spray flowers?
- What is the difference between Just for Flowers and Color Tool Spray?
- How economical is the use of Design Master?
- What color trends do you forecast for 2023?
Join us for Gretchen's professional tips and techniques that can save you time and money!
Did you know that ....
When it comes to floral design - don't just make it pretty, make it profitable. In 'Pricing for Profits," Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD, AAF, PFCI, AzMF offers tips on building a strong foundation for your floral business by pricing professionally.
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ rules for numbers, percentages, or price categories. This isn't ‘what to charge,' it’s how to ‘calculate’ what 'you need to charge’ for the success of your business.
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Fixed price or Calculated price structures for pricing your designs.
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How to calculate Markups, Yearly costs, and Cost of Goods Sold
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Ways to estimate the price of future weddings despite rising costs.
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Menu designs to save money on how you buy and sell your products.
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Calculate the number of flowers needed for large event designs.
Using these practical tips, you create the pricing flexibility that works best for creating profits in your floral business.
When advertising exec, Lia Fleming, discovered her budding passion for flowers – she dug in deep. Lia and her family began selling locally-grown flowers from their Flora Fields Farms in New Franklin, Ohio. Lia shares expert advice for getting your flower farm dream to take root. Branding. Marketing. Social media positioning. Connecting with the customer. Finding joy in the journey. Lia guides us on 'How We Bloom.'
"Spoiler Alert! There is no silver bullet for marketing," explains Laura Rich, Marketing Director for Smithers-Oasis North America. "It's a series of small consistent steps that connect you with your customer." Laura offers practical, actionable tips that you can use to grow your floral business while ‘Marketing on a Shoestring.’
South African floral designer, Jill Manson, believes in the powerful energy of flowers and plants. “The ‘power of the plant’ can help us heal by offering comfort and calm,” she explains. Based in Johannesburg, Jill offers intuitive hands-on flower arranging classes called “Flower Healing”. Jill shares with her students a thoughtful blend of floral elements with spiritual elements and floral design with personal introspection. “Connecting with nature is a beautiful way to find balance, re-align to your most powerful self, heal and grow,” she continues. “It is possible to find our true nature, through nature.” Jill shares her flower-class instructional techniques with us in this How We Bloom podcast.
“Less is more" says Klaus Wagener of Minden, Germany. Explaining the emerging post-pandemic trend. That doesn't mean doing without. It suggests developing a lifestyle of "consuming consciously while preserving natural resources."
Klaus is the CEO and creative director of BLOOM's Medien publishing house. This well-respected trends forecaster, floral stylist, teacher, and author is fascinated by trends. He encourages florists to develop trend stories that connect new products with environmentally responsible consumers. "It must be an honest story," he cautions. He believes that sustainability and honesty will now play a major role in the development of new products. Klaus sees a growing appreciation for seasonal materials, local products, and the gifts of nature as a guiding spirit of the times. He asks the question - "Is 'less' sometimes not even 'more?'
This newly-released flower trend podcast with Sharon McGukin AIFD, AAF, PFCI interviews enterprising guests who dare to do things differently. They share innovative flower tips, design techniques, personal growth plans, marketing and business ideas. Brought to you by Smithers-Oasis, this podcast encourages people who are passionate about petals to listen, learn, grow. "And, that'sHow We Bloom!"
"Partnering with your customer creates a spirit of collaboration," suggests Drew McGukin of Drew McGukin Interiors - based in NYC.
One of the leading contemporary designers in today’s market, Drew understands the power of connection. Offering client-focused communication techniques, Drew suggests adapting to the client’s vision rather than insisting on your own experience. Grow your business by being "the guy who gets it right."
Drew reminds us that it’s not about winning … it’s about winning the customer. "And, that’s How we Bloom!"
While it might be painful, we often grow during challenging times. Personal skills. Business savvy. How can we create successwhile under stress? Commit to Change!
In this podcast, retail florist Todd Bussey AIFD shares insights for how he 'met challenge with change' for positive growth in his post-pandemic flower shops. He offers practical and profitable steps as easy as 1-2-3 you can use for growing your business. We .. listen .. learn .. plant seeds .. grow ideas .. and that's How We Bloom!