Botanical Brouhaha Podcast: Recent Episodes
Amy McGee
Do you own a flower business or dream of starting one? Are you looking for practical floral design tips? Ever wonder how other florists run their businesses? Or maybe you’re a farmer florist building a flower farm and floral design business at the same time? You’ve landed in the right place!
At the BB Podcast, we serve floral designers, farmer florists, flower shop owners, and aspiring florists by diving into practical tips and insider information from real working florists, floral educators, flower growers, and floral industry vendors to help you find the tools you need to start, run, and grow your flower business.
We like to mix it up! Do you prefer hearing real-life stories or diving into specific flower business topics? Either way, we’ve got you covered.
Listen to our storytelling episodes featuring floral professionals sharing the details of starting and running their flower businesses. So many stories just waiting for you to dig in and learn from those who are doing what you want to do!
Browse our topic-specific interviews where you can expect everything from conversations on marketing, staffing, and floral software to pain points like finding your mojo or listening to your intuition in business.
Amy McGee, Botanical Brouhaha founder, brings years of relationship building with floral designers, farmer florists, and floral professionals to the table and invites you to pull up a chair for the conversations where you’ll learn and be inspired by the nitty gritty transparency of the questions she asks.
The BB Podcast is co-hosted by Natalie Gill, owner of Native Poppy.
In today’s BB Podcast episode (No. 137), we’re visiting with Wilfred de Wit, founder and CEO of iBuyFlowers where florists and event planners can shop online for wholesale flowers directly from 100+ farms in both the US and abroad. Will shares his background in the floral industry and the challenges he witnessed, leading to the inception of his company. The conversation covers the importance of transparency, ethical sourcing, and customer education. Will also talks about his hopes for the role AI will eventually play in personalizing orders for iBuyFlowers customers. If you’re looking for a company who believes in building strong relationships with their growers and customers, this episode will be insightful. Will’s goal is to educate his customers about the benefits of ordering directly from growers, which can significantly improve the quality and longevity of their flowers.
Special Offer for First Time iBuyFlowers Users: Get $100 off a first order over $200. To claim this offer, use Voucher Code:
ibfmdpcbotanical100 You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 136), we're visiting with Rachael Lunghi, owner of Siren Floral Co based in Southern California. Siren Floral Co was born out of a wedding and event planning company Rachael founded initially. Her love of flowers led her to eventually focus on floristry full time. Since that time, Rachael has developed a style all her own that's easily recognized and sought after by clients. Leaning into her love of travel, she gradually carved out a destination weddings and events niche for Siren Floral Co. We're honored to bring this conversation to you!
Join us as we chat with Rachael about: * her experiences with destination weddings and travel logistics * pricing strategies for floral services and transparency with clients * balancing work and family life as a new mom * her aesthetic and design philosophy * lessons learned from past business experiences, including closing a retail shop * advice for aspiring wedding planners and florists on contracts and goal setting * the importance of building a supportive team and community
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 135), we're revisiting Chloe Murray, CEO/Creative Director of MUD Urban Flowers in Glasgow, Scotland and our second guest ever back in 2017 (Ep. 3) when the BB Podcast was just getting started.
When we last visited, Chloe was only a couple of months into her new business and absolutely on fire! She was seeing quick growth and loving the process. Fast forward to 2025. Today, Chloe has guided MUD Urban Flowers through a pandemic, exponential growth, and significant life changes. And she's still passionate about her business model and the people she serves. And she's done it all without a phone number for her customers from day one! If you wish your flower business was more outside the box, Chloe will get you thinking about the possibilities.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BTCO Circle Retail 2025 April 1-May 27th, 2025 Simple.Soulful.Connection Click here to learn more. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
Building Olivee Floral In today’s BB Podcast episode (No. 134), we’re visiting with Karla Smith-Brown, founder of Olivee Floral.
Karla’s inspiring journey evolved from a career in public relations to becoming a successful floral artist. Her story isn’t just about flowers; it’s about weaving passion, sustainability, and heritage with personal connections to make a powerful impact.
Starting out, Karla offered pop-up events and hand-tied bouquets, gradually building her brand (named after her great grandmother, Medorah Olivee Wright). With a design aesthetic influenced by her Jamaican heritage, she developed a signature wild yet refined style. As Olivee Floral grew, Karla began to view flowers as a medium for art, not just for traditional events. Now, she works with brands like Vogue, Birkenstock, and Nike, often being sought out because of the strong professional relationships she’s built and the unique design aesthetic she’s developed.
Join us as we chat with Karla about: * the significance of using locally grown and sustainable flowers for funeral arrangements * addressing the challenges and taboos surrounding discussions of funeral flowers in society * innovative approaches to creating sustainable funeral flower designs without floral foam * the role of florists in educating families about sustainable options and practices * the potential for changing perceptions of funeral flowers to make them more approachable * the impact of creative and sustainable practices on the floral industry and communities
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
A Vision for Sustainable Funeral Flowers In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 133), we're visiting with Carole Patilla, co-founder of the Farewell Flowers Directory and owner of Tuckshop Flowers. She joined forces with Gill Hodgson, founder of Flowers from the Farm, to address a need in the floral industry that is often overlooked and avoided — sustainable funeral flowers.
This conversation will be helpful for you if: 1) you're unsure how to execute your vision to create funeral flowers without traditional flower foam and single-use plastics or 2) you're struggling to educate clients (and funeral directors) about the importance of sustainable funeral flowers.
Carole shares her experiences working with local funeral homes, highlighting how they have embraced innovative approaches to funerals that reflect the wishes of families for personalized services that prioritize sustainable practices.
Practical Tips for Creating Sustainable Designs Carole shares her experiences creating foam free funeral arrangements that can adapt to different surfaces, such as curved caskets lids. She challenges the notion that certain practices are set in stone simply because they have always been done that way. She believes strongly that florists have the power to set their own rules and standards in business.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 132), we're visiting with Layla Robinson, a creative force in the flower industry known for her specialization in dried flower arrangements and installations.
This conversation is specifically for you if: 1) you're interested in dried flowers or 2) you're struggling to find your niche in the floral industry.
Layla's journey into the flower industry began over 15 years ago with fresh flowers. Living in the UK, she was inspired by the "buy local" movement and saw an opportunity to start a business that could be managed alongside raising her children. However, the challenges of growing, harvesting, arranging, and marketing fresh flowers while managing small children soon became apparent.
To extend her offerings throughout the year, especially during the cold Welsh winters, Layla began exploring dried flowers. She started foraging for materials like ivy, dried hydrangeas, and rose hips to create winter wreaths and arrangements. This exploration led her to appreciate the beauty and versatility of dried flowers, which allowed her to take her time with arrangements while her children played around her.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a pivotal moment for Layla. The cancellation of a wedding she had been planning for a year made her realize that the pressure of fresh flowers was no longer what she wanted. She decided to fully commit to dried flowers, a significant leap that brought her a sense of freedom and joy.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
We're visiting with Jen Lagedrost Cavender, owner of Nectar & Bloom.
After studying English and creative writing in college, Jen found herself teaching Literature and Creative Writing at a university. But, she felt something was missing and longed to reconnect with her creative side. Inspired by women business owners in the floral industry, she decided to explore flowers as a viable business model.
Ultimately, Jen found fulfillment by aligning her work with her passions for flowers and writing. She created a business model that resonates with her values and allows her to express her creativity. She believes strongly in the importance of self-care and creating space for rest and introspection. And she’s created various avenues to teach, encourage, and support floral designers and creative business owners in pursuing self-care in order create a sustainable career.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
We're visiting with Cameron Hardesty, owner of Poppy, a wedding floral business based in the Washington, DC area that has seen rapid growth and success.
A transformative experience volunteering at the White House ignited Cameron's passion. We walk through her transition from a career in corporate communications to becoming the founder of a company that empowers nearly 900 freelance floral designers, offering them flexibility and opportunities to showcase their creativity.
If you've ever wondered what it takes to move a business idea from concept to execution and then scale it quickly, you'll find this conversation enlightening. Cameron shares insights into the fundraising journey, including participation in the Techstars Accelerator program and raising $1.65 million+ in seed funding. She's keen on sharing the knowledge and experiences she's gained over the years in hopes of supporting and encouraging others.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In today’s episode, we’re visiting with flower farmer Grant Winkelmann, owner of Winkelmann Flowers, in Lindale, Texas.
Grant shares not only how he’s built a farm producing sought-after blooms, but he also shares what it took to pull off his family’s recent relocation to a new farm. Grant discusses the challenges of moving, including the logistical hurdles and the emotional impact of leaving behind a supportive community. He shares insights into his farming techniques, the importance of his partnership with his wife Carrington, who runs a floral design business called The Farmer & I, and their collaborative efforts in the flower industry.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
Sullivan Owen's journey into the floral industry is as unique as her designs. With a background in retail merchandising, Sullivan transitioned into floristry in 2009 while planning her own wedding. Her distinct style and dedication quickly earned her recognition, leading to a successful career in luxury weddings. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes, prompting Sullivan to explore new creative outlets, including gardening and ceramics. In this episode, we catch up with Sullivan just in time for the inaugural release of her new vase collection which leads to a fascinating conversation about the behind-the-scenes process of developing a product and bringing it to market. This episode will definitely get you thinking about that dream you've held close and wondered if it's feasible!
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this BB Podcast episode, Amy (Botanical Brouhaha) chats with Natalie & Meg (co-owners of Native Poppy) about the importance of creating a brand that sticks – meaning it continues to draw in ideal customers year after year. Drawing on Amy's recent experiences trying to find new service providers after relocating her business and life out-of-state, the conversation focuses on the lessons she's learned that can be applied to the other small businesses in the floral profession. Amy, Natalie, and Meg share what they believe has helped them build brands that have flourished at Native Poppy and Botanical Brouhaha.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In Part 2 of this two-part podcast episode, co-hosts Amy and Natalie visit with Sarah Daken and Tom Precht of Grateful Gardeners and Floraponics, who transitioned from careers in law and neuroscience to flower farming. Tom discusses their innovative aquaponics system and the challenges they've faced in securing funding. The couple emphasizes their commitment to sustainable practices and the systemic barriers in agriculture. They advocate for policy changes and support other farmers on topics like grant navigation. Their story highlights the difficulties and triumphs of pursuing a passion-driven, environmentally conscious business.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In Part 1 of this two-part podcast episode, co-hosts Amy and Natalie visit with Sarah Daken and Tom Precht of Grateful Gardeners and Floraponics, who transitioned from careers in law and neuroscience to flower farming. Sarah shares her journey from legal burnout to finding joy in growing flowers with her husband, Tom. Tom discusses their innovative aquaponics system and the challenges they've faced in securing funding. The couple emphasizes their commitment to sustainable practices and the systemic barriers in agriculture. They advocate for policy changes and support other farmers on topics like grant navigation. Their story highlights the difficulties and triumphs of pursuing a passion-driven, environmentally conscious business.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this episode of the Botanical Brouhaha podcast, Amy and Natalie talk with Anna Stouffer, owner of Urban Petals in Greer, South Carolina about her transition from a working in a law firm to becoming a successful floral designer. Anna shares her journey, starting with wedding floristry and eventually adding a retail component to her business. She discusses the challenges of managing both aspects, the support from the floral community, and the impact of motherhood on her business. Anna shares how creating a calming store environment and balancing her work with her personal life are of utmost importance to her as a business owner. The episode highlights the importance of authenticity and compassion in building a successful floral business.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this podcast episode, Emily Patrick, owner of Carolina Flowers, shares her journey from journalism to flower farming. She discusses the challenges and successes of starting and running her flower farm, including her approach to business, design, and financial management. Hosts Natalie and Amy engage Emily in a lively conversation about the evolution of Carolina Flowers, sustainable practices, and industry trends. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring flower farmers and floral business owners.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this episode, we visit with Imelda Ramos, owner of Cali Wholesale. Imelda shares her journey as the founder of a woman-owned company from starting as a small wholesale flower business to expanding her business and her footprint at the flower market. She discusses the importance of team training, effective communication with customers, and the challenges of sourcing flowers. Imelda also highlights the significance of managing expectations in the floral industry. Despite the demanding nature of her work, Imelda's passion for flowers and dedication to her business are evident, offering inspiration and insights into the complexities of running a wholesale flower business.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this podcast episode, Sylvia Bustamante Gubbins, the founder of Madrid Flower School, shares her inspiring story of starting a new career in floral design at 48 and following the dream to open a flower school. As Sylvia continues to grow Madrid Flower School, she’s introducing new educational opportunities for floral designers to study the art and business of floristry. With the recent addition of Madrid Blooms Congress, we thought it was time to visit with Sylvia again! She shares how she’s creating a 5-star experience for you to study floristry in the beautiful city of Madrid, Spain.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: CIRCLE RETAIL Simple Soulful Connection Limited seats still available! Click here to learn more. Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In episode 120, we have the pleasure of reconnecting with the incredible Francoise Weeks, whose hands weave magic with woodland designs. She's back with a treasure trove of wisdom in her new book, Wonder of the Woodlands: The Art of Seeing and Creating with Nature. It's a visual feast over 200 pages long, and trust us, it's a must-have for your collection. Francoise's zest for life is contagious. We're fortunate that she not only inspires us through her floral artistry, but also with her determination to overcome fear in order to live a life worth celebrating. In this conversation, she shares her secrets to staying active and maintaining a positive mindset, proving that age is just a number when it comes to living a full and vibrant life.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this episode, Natalie & Meg, co-owners of Native Poppy, take us behind the scenes of their retail shops in San Diego, where they've created an immersive experience for their customers. In an effort to explain the price gap between flowers bought at locally-owned flower shops vs. large grocery store chains, they speak about the unique characteristics of their shops including the extensive training their team undergoes to become skilled floral artists and the seasonal art installations that transform their spaces into magical environments. This level of detail and dedication comes with significant costs, which Natalie and Meg are transparent about, especially considering the high expenses of operating in a city like San Diego.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this episode of the Botanical Brouhaha podcast, Amy McGee and Natalie Gill, the co-hosts, interview Marsha Parker, a seasoned teacher with a passion for history and culture. Marsha shares her experiences teaching around the world and her personal battle with cancer as a 3x survivor. She discusses how these experiences influenced her floral business, Refined Gatherings, which specializes in creating floral experiences for cancer survivors and others facing health challenges. The conversation explores Marsha's transition from teaching to floral design, her dedication to creating meaningful experiences, and her commitment to integrating beauty and healing into her work. The episode highlights Marsha's resilience, her fight for peace over fear, and her desire to impact lives positively through her craft.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Doors open March 4-6, 2024. Click here to learn more. Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this podcast episode, flower farmer and author Lennie Larkin of B-Side Farm discusses her experiences in the flower farming industry, her book Flower Farming for Profit, and her educational initiatives for other farmers. She talks about her transition from other careers to farming, the financial aspects of the business, and the importance of strategic planning and efficiency. Larkin also reflects on the personal challenges of relocating her farm and starting over in a new community. The episode includes a conversation about the value of data and business education in farming, as well as Larkin's vision for her website as a resource hub for flower farmers. If are a flower farmer or dream of being one someday, this conversation is packed with helpful information and resource recommendations.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this podcast episode, Amy and Natalie visit with flower shop owner Stacy K Ercan of Stacy K Floral in Rochester, New York. She shares about her shop expansion and business model which includes a collaborative space with a coffee counter, retail offerings, and a subscription service. Stacy also talks about how her background working with tents, events, and trade show exhibits helps her have an edge when bidding on events in her community. She discusses employee motivation, financial strategies, and the importance of diversifying revenue streams. And finally, she reveals some of her successful marketing strategies.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: THE FLOWER FREELANCE INTENSIVE MARCH 18-22, 2024
A 5-day course for aspiring & experienced freelancers and floral design team members. Click here to learn more!
Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this episode of the BB podcast, Amy and Natalie talk with Lucy Hunter about her 20+ year career in landscape design and her newest book The Flower Hunter: Creating a floral love story inspired by the landscape. Lucy shares openly about her past burnout, her shift towards flower design, and her return to the landscapes that inspire her creativity. This conversation delves into the impact of age on creative confidence and the pressures of social media. Lucy shares how routines inspire her new ideas, while also detailing the logistics of a long-term landscape project that laid the foundation for her successful career. The episode reflects Lucy's belief that creatives need to carve their own path in the creative world.
Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this podcast episode, Amy & Natalie conclude Season 7 with a Q&A session centered around listeners' questions. Natalie shares insights on pricing strategies, staff payment, and the benefits of an a la carte menu in the floral industry. She also discusses the challenges of balancing motherhood and business. And, finally, Amy and Natalie emphasize the importance of networking, reviews, and open discussions about industry topics. A special thanks to Madrid Flower School for collaborating with Botanical Brouhaha in 2023 to bring Season 7 to fruition.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
Floral designer Carrington Winkelmann, owner of The Farmer & I in the Texas Hill Country, shares her journey from college days dreaming to starting her own flower business with her flower farming husband, Grant. She discusses the challenges and rewards of running a business, including managing inventory, managing client expectations, and pricing her services. Carrington shares her dream for the future, which includes housing all parts of her business with her husband on one piece of land where they could also offer agritourism experiences. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and purpose for her business, and shares how the slowdown during the pandemic allowed her to rediscover her love for flowers and the purpose they serve in connecting people.
Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this podcast episode, a seasoned rooftop flower farmer (yes, you heard that right - she farms on rooftops) shares extensive experience in agriculture. Joanna Letz, owner of Bluma Flower Farm, discusses the transition from traditional farming to rooftop farming, the unique challenges it presents, and the logistics involved. She also talks about her business, which includes a variety of offers such as retail, direct-to-consumer sales, weddings, events, and teaching. Joanna emphasizes the importance of taking risks for personal and professional growth, even in the face of skepticism. Despite the financial challenges faced by farmers, she remains motivated to evolve her business to fulfill her desires.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In BB Podcast Episode 111, Abby Daigle, owner of Stems Floral Design & Event Styling in Austin, Texas shares her journey from growing up in the events industry at the venue owned by her family to starting her own floral business. She discusses her love for weddings, the services her company offers, and her business model, which includes a showroom for full-service wedding clients and important relationships with industry vendors. She also talks about her team structure, hiring process, and industry role models. And, Abby shares an interesting perspective on centerpiece mockups which she finds to be a powerful tool for building trust and excitement with her clients.
Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In this podcast episode, we visit with Rachel Nafis, owner of Psalter Farm Flowers, an urban flower farm in San Diego. Rachel shares a behind the scenes look at her unique business model. She grows flowers in her neighbors' yards and then supplies San Diego shops and florists with her local grown flowers. Rachel discusses the challenges and rewards of farming in an urban setting, the importance of community and connections, and the ecological impact of her work. She also talks about her transition from nursing to farming and the joy she finds in sharing her love for gardening with others. The episode highlights Rachel's dedication and the positive impact her business is having on the neighborhood.
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In Episode 109, Botanical Brouhaha Podcast co-hosts Amy and Natalie welcome guest Graeme Corbett of Bloom & Burn back to the show. They discuss Graeme's shift towards working mostly with British-grown flowers and he reflects on his decision to scale back the number of weddings he accepts while incorporating more teaching into his business model.
They touch on what led to Graeme's decision to move to the Kent countryside with his partner and how he's adapted to a slower pace of life. They also talk about the impact difficult life experiences can have on business operations. Graeme shares how taking time for self-reflection helped him redirect his focus and gain significant traction in his business.
The episode wraps up with details of Graeme's workshops and classes, his aspirations of publishing a book, and the role of social media in his work.
Bloom & Burn Instagram
Bloom & Burn Website
Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha.
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.
In the first episode of Season 7, Amy and Natalie (Native Poppy founder) share what led to the strong bond between them which ultimately led to Natalie becoming the co-host of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast. Setting the stage for their new podcast format, Amy and Natalie dive into their hopes for the podcast including a shared desire for more laughter and deeply honest conversations around topics that impact flower business owners.
They introduce their guest, Rachel Bridgwood, co-owner of Sweet Root Village, who will facilitate Circle Weddings Fall 2023 with her business partner Lauren Anderson. Rachel discusses the challenges and successes of running a floral business and the importance of community and support. The episode concludes with Amy and Natalie inviting listeners to join the Sweet Root Village co-founders in Circle Weddings.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Natalie Gill (Native Poppy)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written and Performed by: Landon McGee
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School
After taking a few months off to rest and reflect, the podcast is back! And we have a new co-host you're going to love! The first episode of Season 7 will drop on September 6th and we couldn't be more excited to hit the ground running. We've missed our chats!
- Overcoming the fear of starting and financing a new business idea
- Learning the basics of business startup
- Testing the popup concept
- The importance of packaging at a popup
- Bringing the skill of fashion buying to a flower shop
- The power of asking questions
- Building a team
- Becoming a mother while running a business
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 107: * Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising * Gansevoort Market * Tori Burch Foundation * Fleishman is in Trouble
FOLLOW POPUPFLORIST:
WEBSITE
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MADRID FLOWER SCHOOL Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
TODAY'S GUEST: YASAMIN SALAVATIAN TOPIC: BRAND COMMUNICATION IN TRUE YOU FASHION If you're struggling to find the words to convey who you are and what you do, today's episode is for you!
We can't wait for you to meet Yasamin Salavatian, Yasi for short. She describes her expertise like this:
"I partner with you to bring words to your vision, leading you to differentiate your brand from the sea of…well, let’s face it - drab. As a Storytelling Strategist (and your Partner-in-Communication), my role willfully challenges traditional marketing rhetoric, (re)defining your messaging and positioning to fit you like a glove."
The result? You end up with a dynamic, cross-collateral, custom-made brand communication strategy that grows with you as you evolve with your business.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: * Hannah Lowery (Ep. 99) | Edges Wild Studio | Read the Case Study * Amy Balsters | The Floral Coach * Tiffany Weinbender | Ida Mayes Floral Design House | Read the Case Study * Rachel Bridgwood & Lauren Anderson (Ep. 69) | Sweet Root Village * Emily Ventura Designs * Upwell Strategies * Summer Suleiman | Read the Case Study * Bijou Creative * Erika Parker Boudoir Photography | Read the Case Study * Jilliane Yawney | Read the Case Study
FOLLOW YASI: * Website * Instagram * Pinterest * Linkedin
Looking for a little more guidance from Yasi? Here it is! 5 Ways to Build Your Personal Brand from Scratch This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. Host: Amy McGee (Founder: Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Amy Dunlap, owner of Stemz, Inc. in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Amy never could seem to avoid the draw of flower shop jobs in high school and college. After studying horticulture in college and getting a Masters degree in Agricultural Education and Communication, she opened a home-based floral design business to service weddings and events and eventually bought a building to house her business.
Following her intuition, Amy decided to close her shop in 2018. But she didn't sit idle for long before pursuing a new floral endeavor - creating Stemz, a platform to help strengthen the local cut flower supply chain by cultivating connectivity between US farms & floral creatives.
Join us as we talk with Amy about:
- Taking the first steps toward bringing a large and complicated vision to life
- The advantages of having co-founders who represent different facets of the floral profession
- Understanding the importance of distribution in making local flowers accessible to florists
- The challenge of building supply consistency when selling local flowers to florists
- Adding Stemz staff members who can build relationships with designers and learn their needs
- The importance of loving the problem your business is trying to solve
- Building a business slowly so you can adapt the model based on the results you're getting
- Editing your services to avoid distractions that keep you from growing and staying true to your message
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 105: * Slow Flowers * Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) * Chapel Designers * Holly Chapple * Bloom Trust Co * Grand Floridian Hotel / Walt Disney World
FOLLOW STEMZ: WEBSITE
MEET THE STEMZ TEAM: Amy Dunlap (Stemz Founder) / Amy Lynne Originals
Claire Parrish (Stemz CFO) / Heritage Harvest Farms
India LoFaso (Stemz Business Development)
Lindsay Potter (Stemz Operations) / Piper + Fig
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: EveryStem
EveryStem florist software has the power to change the way you price and order flowers for a profit.
Here’s what floral designers are saying about their EveryStem experience:
“The rewards have been incredible. 2021 was our most profitable year of our 14 years in business because of EveryStem.”
Ashley Fox, Ashley Fox Designs
“I love using this software program- I have really reduced my tendency to overbuy and have improved my profit margins by at least 10% since starting it. I tell everyone who asks for a better way to do recipes and pricing that it is worth it!”
Kira Barker, All in the Details Flowers
Host: Amy McGee (Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Tina Sharpe, owner of Living Fresh Home Goods & Flower Shop in St. Jacobs, Ontario.
Tina has woven together a business model uniquely built on her life experiences - first managing garden centers and greenhouses, then studying floral and interior design, and ultimately finding the love of her life, moving her business to the charming Village of St. Jacobs, and restructuring to a 4-day work week alongside her husband which leaves time for travel and rest. If you find yourself wondering how business challenges, setbacks, and redirections can strengthen your flower business and lead to the life you really want to live, Tina's story will encourage you to keep moving forward while holding on to the things that are important to you. Join us as we talk with Tina about:
- The challenges and evolution of sourcing flowers in her area
- Learning to find balance by recognizing her personal capacity
- Moving her business to an area that fits her personal and professional values
- Changing her tagline to reflect the progression of Living Fresh
- Changing her processes to meet her personal goals
- Relieving herself of dread by listening and acting on her gut
- The importance of finding community with other flower professionals
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 105: * Chapel Designers * Erin Benzakein | Floret * The Local Flower Collective * Shopify
FOLLOW LIVING FRESH: WEBSITE
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MADRID FLOWER SCHOOL Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Brittany Sarhage, owner of Rudy's Flower Truck in St. Louis, Missouri. Brittany embodies the courage and tenacity most of us wish we had. She started a flower truck business with no prior experience in the industry and has continued to steadily grow the business while caring for both her customers and her city. Join us as we talk with Brittany about:
- How she came to own 2 flower trucks with no prior floristry experience
- Why she wanted to start her business in St. Louis
- Learning while building a business
- The advantages and challenges of owning the trucks she chose for her business (and why the advantages outweigh the challenges)
- The value of finding other mobile business owners to get insights into the mobile business model
- One thing she'd change if she could do it over
- What it takes to make a flower truck profitable
- Where she gained the confidence to own and run a flower business
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 104: * International Institute * US Small Business Administration (SBA) * The Wandering Sidecar Bar Company * Natalie Gill | Native Poppy * Mayesh
FOLLOW RUDY'S FLOWER TRUCK: WEBSITE
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: EveryStem
EveryStem florist software has the power to change the way you price and order flowers for a profit.
Here’s what floral designers are saying about their EveryStem experience:
“The rewards have been incredible. 2021 was our most profitable year of our 14 years in business because of EveryStem.”
Ashley Fox, Ashley Fox Designs
“I love using this software program- I have really reduced my tendency to overbuy and have improved my profit margins by at least 10% since starting it. I tell everyone who asks for a better way to do recipes and pricing that it is worth it!”
Kira Barker, All in the Details Flowers
Host: Amy McGee (Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Felicia Alvarez, owner of Menagerie Farm & Flower in the Sacramento Valley of California. Felicia returned to the prune farm she grew up on to raise her own children there —and decided to add a rose farm and nursery to the property. She's a committed advocate for fellow flower farmers. Join us as we talk with Felicia about:
- Breaking into rose farming
- Staffing for the ebb and flow of flower farming
- Scheduling and hiring for efficiency
- Learning the logistics and challenges of shipping a perishable product
- Advocating for American flower farms
- Growing a business while growing a family
- Navigating the pandemic as a flower farmer & nursery owner
- The importance of labeling flower shipments with the country of origin
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 103: * FloraFresh Inc * Gather Flora * California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA
FOLLOW & LEARN FROM MENAGERIE FARM & FLOWER: WEBSITE
THE MENAGERIE ACADEMY
WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MADRID FLOWER SCHOOL Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Hitomi Gilliam AIFD TODAY'S TOPIC: FREESIA Summit Today I’ve invited our friend Hitomi Gilliam back to the podcast to talk about the FREESIA Challenge & upcoming FREESIA Summit she co-founded with Gregor Lersch and Colin Gilliam. Since the summit is right around the corner, I’ve asked Hitomi to give us the scoop because it’s an incredibly affordable educational opportunity with a top-notch lineup of educators and designers!
What is the freesia summit? It's 3 days of virtual presentations from industry leaders on how they practice and approach sustainability in floristry.
Freesia Summit Speakers * Hitomi Gilliam AIFD * Gregor Lersch * Susan McLeary * Shane Connolly * Holly Chapple * Colin Gilliam * Debra Prinzing / Slow Flowers * Leopoldo Gomez * Max Van de Sluis * Per Benjamin * Felicia Kang * Lawrence Kwong * Dr. James DelPrince PhD AIFD * Dr. Coleman Etheredge PhD CFD * Elizabeth Englebretsen * Johanne Martel AIFD
FREESIA: Florists Recognizing Environmental & Eco Sustainable Ideas & Applications click here for schedule details + pricing Follow the FREESIA Challenge & Summit on Instagram: @wearefreesia
Today we’re visiting with Brooke Snodgrass, owner of Seventh Stem in Portland, Oregon. Brooke entered the flower world while working for a flower farmer as a side hustle to her career in finance. An avid gardener, she grows varieties that make her happy while using her private garden as inspiration for her designs. Join us as we talk with Brooke about:
- Finding her footing in the floral profession while working for a flower farmer at the Portland Flower Market
- Navigating illness as a wedding florist
- The role her garden plays in her floral design
- The importance of building both business and personal relationships as a business owner
- How her business changed after experiencing a health crisis
- How she's learning to make time outside of the business to grow and challenge herself
- How she sources flowers and creates movement in her bouquets
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 102: * Portland Flower Market * Sinclair & Moore * Honey Dijon rose * Agrostemma * Annual Baby's Breath * Basket Flower * Thai Silk Poppy * Smokey Eyes Larkspur * Grace Rose Farm | BB Podcast Ep. 54
FOLLOW SEVENTH STEM: WEBSITE
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: LET'S PROPOSE
Let’s Propose! creates stunning, profitable client proposals for you so you can stay focused on designing flowers to wow your clients.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR BB PODCAST LISTENERS: Use Discount Code BB50 to get 50% off a Let’s Propose! membership.
Click here to see what’s included in the membership.
Host: Amy McGee (Bloom Trust Co.) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
From YOUR HOST, AMY MCGEE: While I could go on and on about Hitomi Gilliam & Gregor Lersch — the things they've accomplished, the books they’ve written, and the competitions they’ve won — I’ll leave the details of their stories to them. I want you to hear it in their words. What I really want to tell you about first is how I met them and how they’ve each impacted my life not only as a floral professional, but also how they’ve touched my life personally.
It’s no accident that I met both Hitomi and Gregor at Hope Flower Farm in Virginia during Chapel Designers workshops hosted by Holly and Evan Chapple.
One afternoon while Holly, Hitomi, and I stood in the kitchen of the Manor House at Hope, I was sharing with them about the responsibility I was feeling to address some needs I was seeing in my local community back in Texas. Hitomi and Holly quickly brainstormed as we cooked and cleaned — and had a solution before we were done. They would come to Texas and teach a workshop with all the ticket sales going to meet the needs I’d mentioned. I couldn’t believe it, but it happened that fall just as they said it would.
During another workshop at Hope, I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Gregor Lersch while I was on the workshop team. I’d never seen anyone work like he did. Still haven’t! From early in the morning until everyone else had left the workshop barn, Gregor sat on a stool working on intricate mechanics for the following day’s class. And when I say mechanics, I mean stunning frameworks that would be used as pieces of art long after the flowers he carefully placed on them had faded and he’d returned home to Germany.
Sitting around the breakfast table with Hitomi and Gregor each morning of those workshops was like opening a treasure trove of stories about the history of our profession. They talked about the people they’d met, the places they’d been, and the things they’d seen. Gregor’s quick wit kept me on the edge of my seat and the way Hitomi talked about floristry with a deep love made me want to be a better. I like to refer to mornings as ‘Story Time’ with Gregor and Hitomi.
So, I’m deeply honored and grateful for their voices on today’s episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast. Hitomi and Gregor have a deep love for the ‘green professions’, as they say, and their desire to see us continue moving forward as we adapt to the very best sustainable practices is obvious when you spend any time with them at all.
But, I can honestly say that as knowledgeable, accomplished, and renowned as they are, the way they’ve impacted me most is with their love of humanity. It’s that genuine acceptance and concern for all people that makes them so effective at conveying all the ways our work is important for not only bringing beauty to life’s important moments, but also for bringing healing where there’s brokenness.
So, for all of that, I want to thank Holly Chapple for doing what she does best — connecting people.
Today’s episode is a little different in that you won’t hear us interviewing Hitomi and Gregor. Instead, we asked them to talk directly to you and share their stories, insights, and hopes for floristry. I hope you love it!
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 101: * Klaus Wagner * Daniel Ost * Interflora World Cup * AIFD * Per Benjamin * FREESIA Challenge * Europa Cup * Bart Hassam
FOLLOW: Hitomi Gilliam:
WEBSITE
Gregor Lersch:
WEBSITE
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MADRID FLOWER SCHOOL Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Melissa Sullivan, owner of Le Bloomerie in Los Gatos, California. Melissa jumped into the floral profession with enthusiasm after a career in healthcare. She believes in dreaming big and tuning out any negativity as she pursues her dreams. Join us as we talk about:
- Her thoughts on creating, paying for, and collaborating with other vendors for editorial work
- The role editorial work plays in the Le Bloomerie business model
- Why she believes it’s imperative that floral artists not get caught up in "the comings and goings of small circles" if they want to realize big dreams
- Finding ways to include family in her business model
- Dreaming big and surrounding herself with good people
- Building her own mechanics
- Why she feels she has to limit the number of weddings she accepts each month
- Why she loves buying from local flower farms
“Have a worldwide view. Try not to get caught up in the comings and goings in the small circles. The world is big and your work has yet to be discovered in Europe, Africa, Asia. Dream big and then even bigger.” - Melissa Sullivan | Le Bloomerie
Links mentioned in episode 100: * Francoise Weeks | BB Podcast Guest Ep. 10 * Alicia Schwede | Flirty Fleurs | BB Podcast Guest Ep. 45 * David Austin roses * Tulipina | BB Podcast Guest Ep. 4 * All For Love | London * Home Depot * Bows and Arrows * Mayesh * Madame Wedding Design * San Francisco Flower Market * Beaulieu Garden
FOLLOW LE BLOOMERIE: WEBSITE
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Let's Propose
Let's Propose! creates stunning, profitable client proposals for you so you can stay focused on designing flowers to wow your clients.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR BB PODCAST LISTENERS: Use Discount Code BB50 to get 50% off a Let's Propose! membership.
Click here to see what's included in the membership and schedule a consultation call
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
At Botanical Brouhaha, we've spent over a decade sharing our belief in the power of flowers to change lives and impact communities. Today's bonus episode of the BB Podcast not only supports that notion, but also serves as a call to action for us to continue using our artistic medium for the healing of our communities.
After reading The Power of Dignity: How Transforming Justice Can Heal Our Communities by Judge Victoria Pratt, we knew we needed to share not only the book with you, but the author as well! And although she’s not a florist, we believe she holds some powerful tools we can use to successfully flower with purpose in our communities and beyond.
So, it's a pleasure to introduce you to The Honorable Victoria Pratt who served as the chief judge of the Newark Municipal Court, has been a professor at the Newark School of Criminal Law, and has taught at the Rutgers School of Law. Her TED talk clip has been viewed over 30 million times on Facebook.
Judge Pratt's reforms transformed her courtroom by introducing creative tools like essay writing and social services partnerships. And, ultimately, she helped defendants begin to trust the justice system again because of the dignity she showed them throughout the court proceedings.
In this episode, Judge Pratt shares: * the 4 Principles of Procedural Justice + Voice + Neutrality + Understanding + Respect * how she was able to transform her courtroom into a space for problem-solving and a resource for healing * the power of community gardens on healing neighborhoods * the impact of court fines on the success of restorative justice * how business owners can use their leadership skills to impact their teams and communities * the power of youth courts in using positive peer pressure and accountability for young people
Mentioned in this episode: * The Process is the Punishment: Handling Cases in a Lower Criminal Court * Dr. Norma Bowe | Kean University | Changing the Landscape for Peace One Garden at a Time * Tom Tyler | Why People Obey The Law * Red Hook Community Justice Center | Brooklyn * Newark Community Solutions * Center for Court Innovation
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF JUDGE VICTORIA PRATT: GET THE BOOK
WEBSITE
TED TALK
MEDIA
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Hannah Lowery, owner of Edges Wild Studio in Houston, Texas. Hannah has been honing her craft and finding words to describe her unique style for several years and we love the direction she's headed! Join us as we talk about:
- finding her first loves at the intersection of humanities and earth science
- learning 3 dimensional art creation while working at Anthropologie
- her career meander (she won't call it a career path)
- what Folk Art Floristry means to her
- attracting like-minded clients by weaving all her interests into her work
- working with a professional to define who she is and what she does as an artist
- the potential for a sense of community that comes from creating within her realm of interests
- her hack for foraging in the city
- creating a 'proof of concept' to show clients
- the need for artists to have leisure time to experiment in a flow state
- knowing when it was time to raise her prices and minimums
- finding the courage to be true to herself as an artist
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 99: * Yasamin Salavatian | Brand Storyteller + Copywriter * Sweet Root Village * Amy Balsters | The Floral Coach * Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life * Mary Lennox * Shaider Divina * Putnam & Putnam * Ponderosa & Thyme * M.K. Sadler * Brian David Gilbert * Simone Giertz * Studio Mondine
FOLLOW EDGES WILD STUDIO: WEBSITE
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: MADRID FLOWER SCHOOL Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English. Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Jenny Rausch and Katie Allen, owners of Anthousai in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It's no secret that many business partnerships simply don't work out. But, Jenny and Katie have built a friendship as they've built a flower business and they have some great insights into the reasons they believe their partnership has worked. Join us as we talk about:
- How they learned floral design before they could afford in-person instruction
- Their desire to normalize the side hustle and encourage designers who are just getting started
- Why they added a flower shop to their existing wedding/event floral business
- The logisitics of opening a retail space
- Why Jenny thinks forming her partnership with Katie was crucial to the success of Anthousai
- Sharing knowledge with confidence
- Managing social anxiety while running a public-facing business
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 98: * Amy Merrick * Ashley Bayer | Tinge * Sarah Winward * If I Made * Ikebana * Bailey's Botanicals * Natalie Gill | Native Poppy * Enneagram * Quickbooks * Jenn Sanchez
FOLLOW ANTHOUSAI: * WEBSITE * INSTAGRAM * SHOP INSTAGRAM * PINTEREST
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: EveryStem
EveryStem florist software has the power to change the way you price and order flowers for a profit.
Here’s what some Botanical Brouhaha guests are saying about their EveryStem experience:
- “The rewards have been incredible. 2021 was our most profitable year of our 14 years in business because of EveryStem.” –Ashley Fox, Ashley Fox Designs
- “Best tool I’ve used in my biz! Especially this year with the pricing fluctuations – met my margins on every wedding thanks to EveryStem.” –Alison Ellis, Real Flower Business
A special offer for BB Podcast Listeners:
Grab our free guide on how to price for a profit in your business and we’ll send you a code for a free month of EveryStem Florist Software.
Pay $24.99 for your first month and you’ll receive your second month free!
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Bloom Trust Co.) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Joseph Massie * author of The Flower School: The Principles and Pleasures of Good Flowers * the youngest person ever to win 5 consecutive RHS gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show * Founder and Creative Director at Joseph Massie Flowers * Founder of The Flower Class * Host of the Flowers After Hours Podcast
TODAY'S TOPIC: Becoming a Published Author You're in for a treat! In this episode, Joseph shares behind-the-scenes details of the making of his new book, The Flower School. From writing a book proposal and finding an agent, to working with a publisher, choosing content, and designing a book cover, Joseph is candid about the process. And, if you know anything about Joseph, you know he brings a bit of humor to every conversation. Joseph says he wrote this first book with his 16 year old self in mind — remembering when he was starting out and needed a comprehensive floristry guide that he could actually afford. He's hoping it'll serve you well! A Message from Joseph: "My life to date has been a chequer board of experiences. On one hand there are my doggedly pursued goals, hard fought and hard won, and on the other, the bright, glittering opportunities which I’ve been deeply lucky to have fall into my life. How else can I explain how my very first job would spark something within me and lead on to enjoy the most enriching of careers? The journey I’ve taken I cannot wholly take credit for - it’s certainly not all down to me - although I could be painted as a far more dynamic maverick if I were to lead you to that conclusion.
It is my hope that this book falls into the latter category for you, as something bright and glittering, which will fall into a space on your lap, your book shelf or your coffee table, and lead you to find some wonderful, beautiful things. I hope it will light up something within you, and help you cultivate creativity, and beauty, and joy and more.
This book, my first, is much more for you than it is for me. Use it well; make everything beautiful.
I really, really hope you love it."
Mentioned in This Episode: * Emily Sweet Associates * Paula Pryke * Agrawool * Elizabeth Gilbert TED talks
The Flower School takes you by the hand and expertly guides you step-by-step through design principles and twenty-five floral projects to empower you to create your own gorgeous floral arrangements for your home, gatherings, celebrations and for pleasure.
Host: Amy McGee (Founder: Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with floral designer Ginny Early, owner of Enemies of the Average in Gainesville, Georgia. Join us as we talk with Ginny about:
- Flowering for weddings, museums, and editorial shoots
- Using the painful experiences she's walked through as a catalyst to support other women in feeling valued
- Building a business that reflects her talents, values, and interests
- The challenges that landed her in the luxury wedding market
- Her advice for new flower business owners
- Working with interns vs. apprentices
- The experiences that have solidified her resolve to flower with purpose
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 97: * Amy Osaba Design * Susan McLeary * Shanna Skidmore | The Blueprint Model * Lauren, Leah, & Callie Palmer | The Wild Mother
FOLLOW GINNY EARLY FLORAL DESIGN: WEBSITE
Today's Episode is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with floral designer Sophie Felts, owner of Sophie Felts Floral Design which services the Washington DC area. Join us as we talk with Sophie about: * Building a flower business from the ground up with a business degree and a passion for flowers * Starting and running a business with small children * The framework she used to create a great team structure * How she defines 'freelancers' and the role they play in her business * The annual Freelancer Workshop she founded * Building a business model that allows the business owner some weekends off while the company is still producing events * Building strong productive relationships with wedding planners * Honoring the responsibility she feels to support the community in which she lives & runs her business * Building a positive and supportive team culture * Dealing with staffing shortages, turnover, job benefits as a small business * The importance of having consistent team meetings * Treating company values as a living document and updating it regularly * Giving back to her community through a Flower Drive * Adding a professional video to her website to connect with potential clients
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 96: * Ariella Chezar | Ariella Chezar Design * Erin Benzakein | Floret * Kelly Perry | Team Flower * Sue Prutting | White Magnolia * Amy Balsters | The Floral Coach * Greater Washington Community Foundation * Veronica Rogers
FOLLOW SOPHIE FELTS FLORAL DESIGN: WEBSITE
Today's Episode is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
Today we’re catching up with our very first BB Podcast guest ever! Join us for a conversation with Susan McLeary aka Passionflower Sue — author, educator, wearable florals innovator, and self-appointed corsage ambassador. A few of the things we're chatting about in this episode:
- the process of writing a book
- her curiosity around figuring out sticking points in the floral industry and how to improve or solve them
- the ebb and flow of business
- dreams she’s realized and business changes that have happened in the 5 years since we last chatted on the BB Podcast
- choosing what feels most aligned with who you are rather than leaning into traditional success markers
- how she stays inspired
- finding, testing, and introducing unique items to the profession as floral mechanics
- why she deliberately rejects the idea of holding onto ideas
- seeing shortages of product as a catalyst for experimentation
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 95: * Francoise Weeks * Hitomi Gilliam AIFD * Erin Benzakein | Floret * Julie Tobi * Carlota Flower Lab * Madrid Flower School * Azuma Makoto * Maurice Harris | Bloom & Plume * The Wild Mother | SendFlowersTo project * Oasis cold glue * AIFD Conference 2022
FOLLOW + LEARN FROM SUE MCLEARY HERE: Website
Today's Episode is brought to you by: EveryStem
EveryStem was created because software has the power to change the way you price and order flowers for a profit.
A SPECIAL OFFER FOR BB PODCAST LISTENERS:
Grab our free checklist of The Top 10 Profit Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Business and we’ll send you a code for a free month of EveryStem florist software.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with floral designer Pili Fuentes, owner of Las Floristas in Mexico City, Mexico. Pili is also the founder 0f Flower House Mexico and co-founder of the European Association for Flower Growers. Join us as we talk with Pili about:
- Transitioning from kindergarten teacher to floral designer
- The learning opportunities she's found in freelancing
- Her interest in biodynamic farming
- The importance and urgency of caring for our soil
- Why she decided to create the European Association for Flower Growers
- Her passion for learning from others and sharing information
- The health issue that inspired her to found Flower House Mexico
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 94: * Ariella Chezar | Ariella Chezar Design * Kiana Underwood | Tulipina * Max Gill | Max Gill Design * Flower School New York * Siloh Floral Artistry * European Association for Flower Growers * Mariana Guajardo | Bambu Flores * Horta de la Viola * Chris Trump Natural Farming | @soilsteward * Casa de la Amistad * Flower House Mexico * Studio Mondine * Nicole Land | Soil & Stem * Little State Flower Company * Jason Murakawa | Small Masterpiece * Jose Villa | photographer * Corbin Gurkin | photographer * Xochimilco * Tea Lane Farm * Nicolette Camille Floral * Lisa Waud | The Flower House Detroit * Jill Rizzo | Wild Season Florals * Pistil & Stamen * Sylvia Bustamante | Madrid Flower School * Villa Verde Farm * Proyecto Público Prim * Lucy Munoz
FOLLOW PILI'S ENDEAVORS: Las Floristas
Flower House Mexico (next event coming November 2022)
European Association for Flower Growers | EAFG Conference
Today's Episode is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English.
Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUESTS: Lauren & Leah Palmer | The Wild Mother
TOPIC: Send Flowers to MMIW
In May 2022, the Palmer sisters, owners of The Wild Mother, will embark on their annual Send Flowers To project. This year the project will surround MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) Awareness Day, on May 5th. Send Flowers To MMIW is a requiem and response to this crisis through a floral outpouring which will be installed at First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City from May 7th to May 9th. Thought leaders, organizers, political activists, and those doing preventative work are joining this Send Flowers To MMIW project to illuminate, educate, honor victims and memorialize the lost.
The Wild Mother is devoting their annual Send Flowers To project to the MMIW crisis in hopes of providing a place for victims’ families to connect with the larger community in their grief. In addition, they hope to bring healing to the healers—those working with "boots on the ground" of this crisis. Lastly, they will provide touch points between a broad community (non Native) and policy makers, urging them to address the crisis that effects so many of their neighbors.
MPORTANT LINKS:
- LEARN: Click here to learn more about the MMIW+ crisis (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Femmes, and Two-Spirit Relatives).
- DONATE: Click here to visit the GoFundMe page.
- SPONSOR: Your organization’s support is imperative. Become a sponsor by sending your pledge to sendflowersto@thewildmother.com.
- VOLUNTEER: Join the team of volunteers. Fill out this form to express your interest in participating in the movement.
Host: Amy McGee (Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with John Gibbons, owner of Lakes & Rivers Flower Farm in Liverpool, England. Join us as we talk with John about: * transitioning from makeup artist to flower farmer * how his time at Dior inspired his career in flower farming * utilizing an allotment to get a taste of flower farming * overcoming challenges without losing vision and enthusiasm * the reality of farming on leased land * selling wholesale flowers to florists * his long-term plan for the farm * the importance of having a plan before jumping into flower farming * reframing social media to acknowledge the positive impact it can have on your business
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 93: * Floret | Cut Flower Garden book * Tallulah Rose Flower School * Flowers From the Farm * Bloom Trust Co * Green & Gorgeous * The Business of Selling Flowers * Forever Green Flower Co * Bloom by Ryan Lewis * Just Dahlias * Joseph Massie | The Flower School * Sarah Statham | Simply by Arrangement
FIND LAKES & FARMS FLOWER FARM HERE: Website | Instagram
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: EVERYSTEM
EveryStem was created because software has the power to change the way you price and order flowers for a profit.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Sarah Shell, owner of Fern Studio Flowers in Columbia, South Carolina. Join us as we talk with Hannah about: * her "tiny career detour as a lawyer" and how she found her way back to flowers * finding the education she needed to learn floral design techniques * why she added a retail shop to her existing wedding/event business * opening a retail shop during a pandemic * building a team while allowing each employee to work within their strengths * the importance of having a business coach * utilizing interns in a flower business * planning, pricing, and hosting workshops for her community * finding work/life balance in the wedding industry * the lesson she learned from having children while running Fern * serving her local community through the Fern retail shop
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 92: * Furman University * Terra Cotta | Savannah * A to Zinnias | Savannah * Flower School New York * Mayesh Wholesale * Jessica Rourke | Wedding Planner * Natalie Gill | Native Poppy * University of South Carolina | College of Hospitality, Retail, & Sports Management * Bergs Potter
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Hannah Brannan, owner of California-based Gather Flora — a platform for farmers, florists, grocers, and resellers that provides the tools you need to connect your business to flower sales in a streamlined, local, and even more sustainable way. Join us as we talk with Hannah about: * finding inspiration in her grandmother's Texas garden * incorporating her non-profit translation and software skill sets into her floral career * striving to make global impact a part of her business * how the Gather Flora software works * the significance of having a physical location in the San Francisco Flower Market * the values that guide her decision making process at Gather Flora * how she learned to do only what her company does best while finding industry peers who can handle the rest * the impact of a tool like Gather Flora on US flower farms * Gather Flora's expansion into the LA Flower District
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 91: * This Humble Abode * Do Right Flower Farm * Jello Mold Farm * Seattle Wholesale Growers Market * Max Gill Design * Bewilder Floral * San Francisco Flower Market * The Southern California Flower Market | Los Angeles * Delphi Flowers * Pepperwood Flower Farm * Golden Heron * The Flower & The B * Wildflower & Fern * Slow Flowers | Debra Prinzing
FIND GATHER FLORA HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Linkedin
Today's Episode is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
Today's Guests: Natalie Gill | Native Poppy Twyla Reimer | Remi + Gold
Jen Donohue | Juniper Lane Floral Design
Kori Gervasio | Colly Flowers
In this episode, we’re chatting with Jen and Kori about their experiences as part of CIRCLE 2021 and we're sharing some exciting opportunities for 2022. We're especially excited to introduce you to a new member of the CIRCLE team, as well.
Twyla Reimer, owner of Remi + Gold, recently made two appearances on the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast (Ep. 88 & Ep. 89) sharing parts of her business journey and letting us in on some of the nitty gritty details of managing a team and working on destination weddings. Twyla is joining us to facilitate the new CIRCLE Weddings session starting March 8, 2022.
WHAT IS BLOOM TRUST CO. CIRCLE? The circle is a place to lay down the day-to-day pressures of running, building, or anticipating a flower business. For 8 weeks, you’ll be surrounded by encouraging peers as you relax into the transparency facilitated and modeled by your hosts, Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.), Natalie Gill (Native Poppy), and Twyla Reimer (Remi + Gold).
Because we want to dive in deep and meet you exactly where you are, we'll have two sessions to choose from this year: CIRCLE Weddings and CIRCLE Retail. Bring your challenges, dreams, and questions. We’ll tackle them one-by-one.
Feeling lost and unsure what to even ask? No worries. Listening to your thoughts, understanding where you’re coming from, and helping you formulate a plan that’s true to who you are is our strength. We can’t wait to chat flowers with you!
WHAT'S NEW FOR 2002? CIRCLE WEDDINGS WITH TWYLA REIMER OF REMI + GOLD March 8, 2022 - April 26, 2022 Tuesdays at 2pm-4pm Central CIRCLE RETAIL WITH NATALIE GILL OF NATIVE POPPY May 9, 2022 - June 27, 2022 Mondays at 11am-1pm Central INVESTMENT: $1850 VISIT CIRCLE WEBSITE TO JOIN
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB+ Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re catching up with Sylvia Bustamante Gubbins, owner of Madrid Flower School. You may remember our conversation with Sylvia in Episode 42 (2019) when she had just opened MFS. So much has happened since that conversation, we thought it would be fun to sit back down and see how Sylvia has guided the school through growth in the midst of a pandemic and where she's headed in 2022.
JOIN US AS WE TALK ABOUT: * the new English Professional Program at Madrid Flower School * the importance of ambiance and hospitality in an educational space * building an inclusive learning environment * changes that Sylvia has observed in Madrid floral trends since opening MFS * creating a community where all people feel comfortable * attributes of a great instructor * how the pandemic has affected day-to-day operations at MFS
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 90: * New York Botanical Garden * Flower School New York * Holly Chapple | The Chapel Designers * London Flower School * Putnam & Putnam * Milena Orlandi
LEARN MORE ABOUT MADRID FLOWER SCHOOL HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Spring 2022 English Professional Program
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
Today we’re continuing our conversation with Twyla Reimer, owner of Remi + Gold in Austin, Texas. We were nowhere near done asking questions when our last conversation with Twyla concluded, so we asked her to come back and tell us more! We hope you find the second half of our visit helpful and encouraging — especially if you're wanting to break into the destination wedding market. Twyla doesn't hold back on sharing the ins and outs of the weddings she's flowered from Paris to Hawaii!
JOIN US AS WE TALK ABOUT: * how the Remi + Gold team is structured and how each team member contributes to the brand * developing brand recognition * sourcing flowers for destination weddings * choosing a workspace when designing a destination event * hiring freelancers for destination weddings * destination event transportation and lodging * memorable Remi + Gold events from 2021 * the Remi + Gold minimums method
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 89: * Gusto * Landmark Beadwork (beaded jewelry by Lauren Palmer / BB Podcast guest Episode 80)
EARN MORE ABOUT REMI + GOLD HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Twyla Reimer, owner of Remi + Gold in Austin, Texas. From a slight obsession with TLC wedding shows to working behind the scenes on events along the Las Vegas strip, flowering in California, and opening a business in Texas, you'll want to fasten your seatbelt for Twyla's story. She's not afraid to follow a dream. But, her love of people and the intentionality she shows in the way she cares for those around her are the heart of the story. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we enjoyed having it...and watch for Part 2 coming January 2022!
Join us as we talk about: * finding her stride in floral design * moving from freelancer to business owner * the flower order that gave her the confidence to go out on her own * the impact Instagram had on the early success and growth of her business * why she prioritizes her team over everything else * creating company culture * why creating a safe work environment for her team is her 1st priority * how she takes care of her team * the importance of having an ethos in business * how she makes time to support people and causes she believes in * how being a first generation American has impacted her business journey
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 88: * Jesse Camargo | BB+ Episode 20 * South by Southwest * International School of Hospitality * Lauren Palmer & Leah Palmer | The Wild Mother | #sendflowerstogreenwood
LEARN MORE ABOUT REMI + GOLD HERE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Jesse Camargo | Flo.ReaL | IG: @jesse.flo.real
TOPIC: Becoming a Floral Freelancer
Join us in this episode as we talk about:
- landing his first freelancing job
- negotiating freelance work while maintaining a full-time job
- the moment he realized he wanted to pursue floral freelancing
- the importance of setting boundaries and saying no
- the perks of being a freelancer
- what it's like to be a freelancer behind-the-scenes
- the importance of having a mentor
- freelancer specialties
- skills required to be a successful freelancer
- the key to his success in business & life
FOLLOW JESSE'S ADVENTURES: On Instagram
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: EVERYSTEM
A SPECIAL EVERYSTEM OFFER FOR BB LISTENERS: Enter referral code: flowerwithpurpose when you create your EveryStem account to receive a free month of service.
Monthly members receive their 2nd month free. Annual members receive 13 months for the price of 10.
Join today with EveryStem’s risk free 90-day money back guarantee.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Hannah Bonham Blackwell of Southside Blooms in the Englewood community of Chicago, Illinois. Southside Blooms, which is a project of Chicago Eco House (a 501c3 nonprofit with a mission of using sustainability to alleviate poverty), is a farm-to-vase florist providing unique and fashion-forward arrangements, while maintaining an uncompromising dedication to both the environment and the surrounding communities. One hundred percent of their money goes directly towards fulfilling this mission. That means every flower purchased from Southside Blooms creates jobs for at-risk youth, converts vacant lots into safe and productive community assets, and actively contributes to the health and resilience of the environment through regenerative farming practices.
We hope you'll join us for this conversation as we talk with Hannah about:
- using sustainable practices in flower farming
- unlocking creativity in the youth who work at Southside Blooms
- the importance of being based in the area where Southside Blooms employees live
- how Southside Blooms acquired land for 4 urban farms in Chicago (plus another in Gary, Indiana)
- thoughts on expansion
- staffing wins and challenges
- finding farming techniques that work for the Southside Blooms business model
- the key to offering opportunities that are compatible with the community you serve
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTHSIDE BLOOMS HERE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook
TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: EVERYSTEM
A SPECIAL EVERYSTEM OFFER FOR BB LISTENERS: Enter referral code: flowerwithpurpose when you create your EveryStem account to receive a free month of service.
Monthly members receive their 2nd month free. Annual members receive 13 months for the price of 10.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUESTS: Corrine Heck (CEO) + Parie Donaldson (Certified Design Associate) Details Flowers Software
TOPIC: Do More and Earn More with the Help of Details Flowers Software
Details Flowers Software is a platform specifically designed to help florists and designers. The app streamlines proposals, ensures profitability through careful attention to each arrangement, and simplifies the payment process.
Details is an elegant and easy-to-use floral design system – an absolute must-have for your floral business. The world's best designers are growing their bottom line through professional proposals and confident pricing with the all-in-one platform. As an event designer for over 15 years, CEO Corinne Heck planned and produced over 800 events. Through her experience she identified the many challenges that come with running a floral business; challenges like over-buying, under-charging, and coordinating an abundance of floral and supply data. The Details Flowers Software solution helps professional florists and event designers tackle these issues and more.
Join us in this episode as we talk about:
- Why and how Corrine developed Details Flowers Software
- Using Details for visual presentations with clients
- Timesaving features for busy designers
- Details documents that assist with keeping freelancers informed and organized
- Their commitment to adding features according to clients' needs
- Details Flowers tech support
- Details Flowers proposal, invoice, and payment capabilities
- Using Details templates (ex. the new Holly Chapple templates)
- Compatibility between Details and other platforms
- The Details Color Picker
- Utilizing the Collections feature
- Using Details for retail and holiday sales
- The beautiful community-over-competition backstory to the friendship Corrine and Parie share
Membership to Details Flowers is $150 a month for 2 users or $1500 a year.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DETAILS FLOWERS: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | YOUTUBE
SPECIAL OFFER: BB Podcast Listeners can use CODE: BB2021 for 20% off a one year subscription. You'll need to create an account, log in, and enter a credit card number, BUT your credit card won't be charged until the end of your 7-day free trial. EXPIRATION DATE: 12/31/2021 Today’s episode is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO.
Looking for floral resources you can trust and a safe place to ask questions? Check out the carefully vetted and curated resources available at Bloom Trust Co.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB+ Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Paulina Nieliwocki, owner of Blue Jasmine Floral in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. Paulina was a high school language arts teacher and translator looking for a new adventure that challenged her while still feeding her creative soul. Remembering her love of flowers as a young girl, she made a plan, took a risk, opened Blue Jasmine Floral and never looked back. Her love of flowers and teaching are contagious. Grab a drink and join us as we talk about:
- how she managed the quick turnaround between resigning her teaching job and opening a flower shop
- her go-to floral design principles
- the blooms she considers to be "the most special"
- the mechanics behind her recognizable compote arrangements
- how she successfully juggled a retail flower shop and an wedding/event business
- how she designed her studio space
- how she restructured her business during the pandemic
- how she trains her staff to design in the Blue Jasmine aesthetic
- one thing she'd like to see change for the floral design profession
- a niche she's hoping someone will take advantage of by starting a business to help wedding/event florists (hint hint!)
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 86: * Ariella Chezar * Flower School New York * Florists' Review Best in Blooms Winner * Restoration Hardware
LEARN MORE ABOUT BLUE JASMINE FLORAL HERE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Today’s episode is brought to you by: EveryStem
A special EveryStem offer for BB listeners: Email LuAnn at luann@everystem.com to schedule a one-on-one demo of EveryStem and receive a free month of service when you become a member.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Sarah Diligent, owner of Floribunda Rose in Hampshire, England. Sarah describes herself as a Flowerist, author, and teacher. She believes deeply in the value of British flowers and her interest in sustainable floristry inspired her to write A Guide to Floral Mechanics with William Mazuch. Grab a seat and join us as we talk about:
- the surprising reason she started her own floral business
- her unique business-building experience with a private tutor
- the advantages she finds in designing with local grown flowers
- following her intuition regarding the use of floral foam and how she transitioned away from using it
- her experience writing a book from idea conception to printing and selling
- her commitment to elevating British Grown Flowers to a luxury product
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 85: * Green & Gorgeous * The Garden Gate Flower Co. * Buckets of Blooms * Flowers From the Farm * New Covent Flower Market * GB Foliage * British Flower Week * Kickstarter * GF Smith Paper * Shane Connolly
LEARN MORE ABOUT FLORIBUNDA ROSE HERE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Floribunda Rose Flower School
Sarah's Private Facebook Group: Eco Friendly Florists & Flower Growers Collective
This Facebook group is a friendly & supportive place for florists & flower growers who have an interest in using British (or home grown) flowers, ‘green’ floristry techniques and are interested in generally reducing our collective carbon footprint. A place to shout out for an extra set of hands or to borrow or swap floristry related equipment/paraphernalia.
This is also a place to ask questions, support one another & help one another out. Click Here to join. Today’s episode is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO.
Looking for floral resources you can trust and a safe place to ask questions? Check out the carefully vetted and curated resources available at Bloom Trust Co.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB+ Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Natalie Gill | Native Poppy TOPIC: Introducing the Bloom Trust Co. CIRCLE Natalie's mission to work hard and be nice resonates with me, so it’s no surprise that she’s made several guest appearances on the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast over the years talking about everything from Finding Your Mojo to Pricing & Delivery Charges to Marketing tips.
But today she’s on the BB Podcast so we can let you in on a little dream we’ve been working on together. While this dream is taking shape under the Bloom Trust Co. umbrella, we want to make it perfectly clear that you do NOT have to be a Bloom Trust Co. member to join Natalie and me in what we’re talking about today. Every single one of you is invited!
In this episode, we're unveiling Bloom Trust Co. CIRCLE — why we created it and our wildest dreams for how it will serve all who choose to sit with us over the coming months.
What is Bloom Trust Co. CIRCLE? The circle is a place to lay down the day-to-day pressures of running, building, or anticipating a flower business. For 8 weeks, you'll be surrounded by encouraging peers as you relax into the transparency facilitated and modeled by your hosts, Amy (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.) and Natalie Gill (Native Poppy). Bring your challenges, dreams, and questions. We'll tackle them one-by-one. Feeling lost and unsure what to even ask? No worries. Listening to your thoughts, understanding where you're coming from, and helping you formulate a plan that's true to who you are is our strength. We can't wait to chat flowers with you!
As part of the CIRCLE, you'll find: * access to the collective knowledge of your hosts and your CIRCLE peers * fluid topic discussions based on your current needs and challenges * unhurried time to listen and be heard * connection with others in the floral profession * a wide range of backgrounds and experiences represented by members * a culture of encouragement: When You Win, We All Win!
Details * Dates: September 27, 2021 - November 19, 2021 * CIRCLE will meet 2 hours per week for 8 weeks (exact days to be chosen by the group) * We will keep the CIRCLE small with just 7 members to ensure each CIRCLE member feels supported * One full scholarship will be awarded to the CIRCLE
BTC CIRCLE is right for you if you've ever said: * “I just can’t seem to get ahead.” * “My mind is all over the place.” * “I need answers, but I'm overwhelmed by all the options.” * “I want to learn, but I don’t have time to take a course, read a book, or attend a conference.” * “I’m too busy!!” * “As much as I want to do something for myself, I just can’t take on one more thing.” * "There’s too much going on in floral education these days. I give up!” * "How am I supposed to solve the problem I'm having today while I'm in the thick of it without an extra hour to look for the answer?" * "I'm tired of the break-neck pace. How can I slow down and still impact the world through my flowers?"
TODAY’S GUEST: LuAnn Dickson
TOPIC: Pricing & Ordering Flowers for Profitability
LuAnn Dickson was the owner and lead designer of Verbena Floral Design in Austin, TX from 2006 to 2018 before she ventured on to become a freelance floral designer and tech entrepreneur who helps floral designers minimize waste and maximize profits through her internet-based flower recipe platform, EveryStem.
In this episode, we talk about pricing challenges commonly faced by floral designers and discuss some of the benefits of using LuAnn’s new software, EveryStem. Join us as we talk about:
- How pricing with confidence and accurate ordering can lead to a financially sustainable business
- Why frustrations with retail math can lead floral designers into a cycle of emotional pricing
- How her experience as a floral designer and retail business owner led her to build an online tool that ends the cycle of emotional pricing and hit-or-miss profitability
- Why each designer needs to determine the markup that’s right for their floral business and how that leads to financial sustainability
- How she recognized there was a lack of tools when it came to pricing and ordering in the floral industry
- The process of starting a software program that works the way florists think and helps designers make the best decisions for their individual businesses
- Why we should make profitability a priority rather than an afterthought
- How using the right tools to price and order your flowers can end your fear of looking at your financials
- The freedom you have as a creative artist when you use a program to assist you and do the math for you
- How using a tool like EveryStem can help to build up your pricing muscles
- How EveryStem fits into the workflow of floral designers and helps them save time
- How to feel confident that you are giving your clients maximum value while achieving your profit margin goals
EveryStem is an internet-based software program for floral designers. It streamlines the difficult process of pricing, recipe-building, and flower ordering. Floral designers use it to track their profitability on every event, prevent pricing errors, and avoid over-buying.
Memberships are $24.99 a month or $249.99 a year accompanied by a 90-day money back guarantee.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EVERYSTEM: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
YOUTUBE (HELPFUL EVERYSTEM TUTORIALS)
CLICK HERE to see what floral designers are saying about EveryStem
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO.
Looking for floral resources you can trust and a safe place to ask questions? Check out the carefully vetted and curated resources available at Bloom Trust Co.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB+ Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Holley Simmons, owner of She Loves Me in Washington, D.C. Holly's background is in journalism and she worked as a Food Reporter for The Washington Post before finding her way to floristry. Join us as we talk about:
- how terrariums led her from a career as a food reporter to opening a flower shop
- her willingness to make mistakes as long as they result in lessons learned
- running a flower delivery business vs. a retail business
- moving away from the mindset hangup of "I'm just a florist"
- the importance of staying connected to your community
- her best tip on approaching others about collaborating
- the one promotion that caused her delivery business to explode during the pandemic
- opening 2 retail flower shop locations at once
- working with a broker to find a suitable retail space and negotiate the lease
- visual merchandising tips
- the importance of having business systems in place
- the Forever Yours Collection, her a la carte wedding service
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 84: * Alyssa Lytle | Color Theory Design Co | Flowering Minds * Natalie Gill | Native Poppy (BB Podcast Ep. 46) * Sweet Root Village | Simply Sweet Root (BB Podcast Ep. 69) * We Are Family * Craigslist * The E-Myth * Of Place * Ayuda | Supporting Immigrant Children in Need * Paisley Creamery | owned by Erika Pierson
LEARN MORE ABOUT SHE LOVES ME HERE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Design Sponge Feature
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Kelly Shore, owner of Petals by the Shore and The Floral Source in Damascus, Maryland. Kelly is a dedicated advocate for American grown flowers. Join us as we talk about:
- why she set and later raised a minimum spend for her wedding/event clients
- the importance of setting boundaries in business
- the trip to Alaska that impacted her and led to a new business venture
- how her clients have helped guide her business path
- the relationship that ignited her passion for local grown flowers
- the two projects she conducted to test her local grown business model
- learning to design by palette rather than specific flower variety
- running a local-grown wedding and event floral business
- the challenges and rewards of sourcing locally
- how she curates boxes of American Grown flowers to drop ship to designers
- the advantage of ordering local flowers for floral stem bars and pop up shops
- understanding the higher price of local grown flowers
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 83: * Bed of Roses (movie) * Maxit Flower Design * AIFD * Chapel Designers * Holly Chapple * Michael's * Panera Bread * Dave Dowling * Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) * Ocean View Flowers
LEARN MORE HERE:
Petals by the Shore: Website | Instagram | Facebook
The Floral Source: Website | Instagram | Facebook
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee
Music & Voiceovers: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: JULIE TOBI
TOPIC: Building a Flower Business You Enjoy
Julie Tobi of J Eliza Creative is a career and life coach for creative entrepreneurs and deep feeling souls, with a focus on intuition and embodiment. In other words, she helps creative entrepreneurs create the business & life they actually want to be living by helping them determine what that looks like based on listening to their intuition. In this episode, we talk about some of the challenges commonly faced by floral designers and farmer florists and Julie offers advice on: * making peace with using social media * the importance of asking 'at what expense?' when making a business decision * the art of saying no * transitioning away from something that no longer aligns with who you are * balancing work and family life * finding ideal clients who are aligned with your values and business mission * defining success for yourself and feeling confident in your definition * recognizing the inherent value of being yourself * setting boundaries * embracing inspired ideas rather than talking yourself out of them by asking: + What am I scared of? + What would it look like if I did this? + What would be my next right move? + What is truly holding me back?
Follow Julie Tobi J Eliza Creative | IG: @jelizacreative
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO.
Dream of being a floral designer? Looking for resources you can trust and a safe place to ask questions? Check out the carefully vetted and curated resources available at Bloom Trust Co.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Anna Potter, owner of Swallows & Damsons in Sheffield, UK. Join us as we talk about:
- why she had an instant connection with floristry
- her experience buying an existing flower shop and making it her own
- the juxtaposition she injects into her floral designs
- how she built a wedding business that fits her personality
- the thought process behind her still life images
- how she landed editorial opportunities
- her description of the aesthetic she's become known for
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 82: * India Hobson Photography * Architectural Digest feature * Harper's Bazaar features * Design Sponge features * The Flower Fix by Anna Potter
LEARN MORE ABOUT SWALLOWS & DAMSONS HERE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | See Anna's Shop
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Alyssa Lytle, owner of Color Theory Design Co. located in the Portland, Oregon. Join us as we talk about:
- finding the courage to veer off the obvious and accepted paths to pursue personal interests
- finding clarity when she felt it was time to go into business for herself
- the freedom and peace she feels as a business owner
- her educational platform called Flowering Minds
- moving a business across the country
- persevering in the lean times
- why she decided to open a storefront
- her private coaching service
- listening to your intuition
- how learning to accept herself helped her find a successful career path
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 81: * Botanical No. Nine * Ashland Addison * House of Cards * Depeche Mode * New Order * Jon Moss * Cat Stevens
LEARN MORE ABOUT COLOR THEORY DESIGN CO. HERE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Flowering Minds | Commissioned Paintings
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Lauren Palmer & Leah Palmer, owners of The Wild Mother located in the Arts District, Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Kickapoo, Osage, Wichita, & Comanche land. We're grateful for the opportunity to continue the conversation we began in Episode 70. Today we're digging a little deeper on some of the ways Lauren and Leah lead The Wild Mother to use their artistry for #morethanjustflowers (as they like to say). Join us as we talk about:
- the legacy work they feel strongly about carrying on
- the anti-racism curriculum they developed for discussing systems of injustice in America
- how they find ways to celebrate, remember, honor, grieve, and educate through their floral medium
- how they will flower with purpose as collaborators of the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission to memorialize the 1921 Greenwood Massacre
- ways we, as floral creatives, can join The Wild Mother in offering healing gestures using flowers
- GoFundMe for #SendFlowersTo Greenwood
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 80: * Lay of the Land | An Online Course for Creatives on Building Affirming, Equitable, and Just Brands
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WILD MOTHER HERE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Click here to learn more. Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Linda D'Arco of Little Farmhouse Flowers in Jay, New York to chat about:
- transitioning to the floral profession from "teacher by day, farmer by night"
- logistics of starting a flower farm
- extending the growing season
- preparing a wedding proposal as a farmer florist
- her new podcast, Frost on Flowers
- knowing when it's time to hire help and expand the team
- addressing sustainability in business
- learning to convey the value of farm fresh flowers through strategic website messaging
- her Tulip Forcing Workshop for flower farmers in collaboration with von Trapp Flowers
- learning to sketch floral designs for proposals
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 79: * Susan McLeary * Lewis Miller Design * Flower School New York * Sustainable Floristry Network * Shane Connolly * Squarespace * Frost on Flowers Podcast * Emily von Trapp | von Trapp Flowers
MORE ABOUT LITTLE FARMHOUSE FLOWERS HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
DUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES MENTIONED: Tulip Forcing Workshop | Floral Sketching Workshop
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Log In. Find what you need. Go out and flower with purpose. Click here to learn more. BB Podcast Co-Hosts are: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Deanna Kitchen
TOPIC: Growing Kindness Project
The Growing Kindness Project started when Deanna Kitchen, an aspiring flower farmer, accidentally planted more dahlias than she could market. Together with her family, she started delivering flowers throughout her community, sharing flowers at bus stops, doctors office’s, and retirement homes. With every delivery, Deanna discovered that when they held out flowers, they held out a powerful catalyst for sharing kindness and fostering connection.
Deanna began gifting dahlias to anyone who wanted to grow and share flowers in their own community and the Growing Kindness Project was born.
Today, Deanna and her team have expanded the Growing Kindness project to support Ambassadors across the nation and Growing Kindness Gardeners around the world. And she'd love for you to be apart of the movement to spread kindness through flowers.
The Growing Kindness Project mission is to empower, educate, and encourage individuals to cultivate kindness and connection in their communities by growing and giving flowers.
How You Can Be Involved Whether you’re an experienced gardener or have never grown a single plant, whether you’re tending a pot of flowers on your city balcony or acres of blooms on a farm, the Growing Kindness Project can help you grow kindness in your community. Become a Growing Kindness Grower, Cultivator, or Ambassador — click here to find the level of involvement which suits your lifestyle!
Follow the Growing Kindness Project: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Mentioned in BB+ Episode 16: * Amy Balsters | The Floral Coach * Lauren & Rachel | Sweet Root Village * Julio Freitas | The Flower Hat * Grateful Gardeners * Sarah Pabody | Triple Wren Farms
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO.
New to the floral industry and looking for resources you can trust and a safe place to ask questions? Check out the carefully vetted and curated resources available at Bloom Trust Co.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Joey Azout of Alexandra Farms (Bogotá, Colombia) to chat about:
- how he managed to start a successful garden rose farm
- why he chose to grow garden roses in spite of the challenges
- the two biggest challenges he experiences with garden roses
- tips for conditioning garden roses (very helpful!)
- the importance of using a floral hydration solution
- new spray rose varieties coming to Alexandra Farms
- how he gained permission to grow the roses he offers at Alexandra Farms
- the story behind the evolution of the Alexandra Farms logo
- ways designers can work with Alexandra Farms
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 78: * David Austin Roses | David Austin Wedding Roses * Zoom * Brandeis University | New York University * DVFlora (Delaware Valley) * Kordes Roses * Rosen Tantau * Garden Rose Variety Pronunciation Guide * Pantone * Floralife HydraFlor® 100 (hydration solution) * Chrysal 1 Hydration Solution * Quick Dip 100 (Instant Hydrating Treatment) * Green Valley Floral * Tambuzi Roses * Aalsmeer Flower Festival * ZipRecruiter * Alexander Farms Garden Rose Design Contest * EMC (European Master Certification) * Holly Chapple | Holly Heider Chapple Flowers * Tomas De Bruyne * Sarah Campbell | Intrigue Designs * Fleuramour * Leeds Castle * Joséphine Bonaparte * Dennis Kneepkens
SEE MORE ABOUT ALEXANDRA FARMS HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest | Rose Poster
ALEXANDRA FARMS COLLECTIONS David Austin Wedding Roses
Deluxe Garden Roses
Princess Japanese Garden Roses
Wabara Garden Roses
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Log In. Find what you need. Go out and flower with purpose. Click here to learn more. BB Podcast Co-Hosts are: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Susan Stremlau, owner of Marion Moss Floral Design in Petaluma, California to chat about:
- growing a flower business from a side gig to a full-time career
- the catalyst behind her decision to make a business & lifestyle change
- rebranding
- working closely with a boutique hotel
- identifying her ideal clients
- the benefits of sharing knowledge and mentoring others
- how she attracted clients after relocating her business
- working with a business coach
- her thoughts on sustainable floristry practices
- her own wedding which took place during the pandemic
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 77: * GAP * Ann Taylor * Esprit * Kenneth Cole * Chapel Designers * Sue Prutting | White Magnolia Luxury Floral Design * Sue McLeary * 3 Porch Farm * Erin Benzakein | Floret Flower Farm | Floret Online Workshop * Eatherley Schultz | Floressence * Sassafras Fork Farm * Martha Stewart Weddings * Lara Casey * David Austin Roses * Holly Chapple | The Holly Chapple Egg * Barnard College | Marion Streng Studio * Francoise Weeks * Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) * Sean Low | The Business of Being Creative * 16th Street Train Station | Oakland * Ginny Silver | Retrospect Images * Torchio Nursery | San Francisco Flower Market * Katharine Hepburn * NACE * Russian River Brewing Company | Pliny the Younger * B-Side Flower Farms * Mandalion Designs * California Flower Shippers * Clubhouse * Hazel Gardiner * Five Marys Farm | M5 Entrepreneurs
SEE MORE WORK MARION MOSS FLORAL DESIGN HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Log In. Find what you need. Go out and flower with purpose. Click here to learn more.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with LaParis Phillips, owner of Brooklyn Blooms in Brooklyn, New York, to chat about:
- her early days learning floristry in a Missouri flower shop
- following her dream of living in NYC
- marrying her love of flowers and fashion to create a business that is a unique reflection of her
- the journey that led to her owning 2 flower shops in NYC by the age of 32
- the motivating power of the words: "you never know..."
- finding the resources she needs to run a business
- her organic progression towards becoming a flower influencer
- her thoughts on pricing for brand collaborations
- her flower dream (hint: think jungle flowers)
- breaking barriers and covering new ground (ever heard of a florist with a mix tape?)
- her thoughts on the barriers to accessibility in the floral industry
- the importance of leaving a legacy and how she's going about it day by day
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 76: * Start Small Think Big * Brian W. Fraser Photography * Kate Spade * Tommy Hilfiger * Madewell * Bloom & Plume * Susan McLeary | @passionflowersue
SEE MORE WORK FROM BROOKLYN BLOOMS HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Log In. Find what you need. Go out and flower with purpose. Click here to learn more.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Akiko Kovacs, owner of Floraison in Paris, France, to chat about:
- the experience that reminded her of the fragility of life and pushed her to follow her dream without delay
- finding the courage to move to Paris and learn a new language while pursuing a floral design education
- how finding her personal style helped build a business which quickly gained momentum
- sourcing flowers in Paris
- her quest to find local garden grown flowers
- the advantages of speaking 3 languages as a floral designer
- the rewards and logistics of working with a wedding planner
- the challenges of being a working mother
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 75: * VIP Roses * Joy Proctor Design
SEE MORE OF AKIKO’S WORK HERE: * Website * Instagram * Facebook * Pinterest
The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Log In. Find what you need. Go out and flower with purpose. Click here to learn more. Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Hazel Gardiner, owner of Hazel Gardiner Design based in Stoke Newington, East London, to chat about:
- the diagnosis that changed her relationship with nature and propelled her into the floral industry
- the importance of wellness and mental well-being as a business owner
- diversity in floristry (read more of her thoughts here: Tackling Race Barriers in Floristry on The Florist)
- transitioning from TV production to floral event production
- utilizing existing skill sets when embarking on a new career
- the moment she recognized her personal floral aesthetic
- working with brands
- moving into influencer work as a florist
- tips for aspiring floral designers
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 74: * US Programme | educating and inspiring young females mainly from disadvantaged backgrounds to break boundaries and achieve goals * Nancy Straughan * Sage | Diversity in Floristry Panel Discussion - The Future of Floristy Part 1 | The Future of Floristry Part 2 * Matches * Elemis * Estee Lauder * Papier * Mary Mary * Not on the High Street * Meringue Girls * Mayesh Wholesale * Most Curious
SEE MORE OF HAZEL’S WORK HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A highly curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Log In. Find what you need. Go out and flower with purpose. Click here to learn more. Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Rona Wheeldon, founder of UK-based Flowerona, to chat about: * the life challenge she says led to her career change into the floral industry * dealing with 'comparison syndrome' * defining creativity * making a living as a blogger (get ready to hustle!) * the importance of photography in building a successful blog * her favorite social media tool for automating posts * her Instagram for Florists online course * her most liked Instagram post * two common Instagram mistakes * her thoughts on the future of video platforms for building a business * what she does to relax and refuel
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 73: * Paula Pryke * New Covent Garden Market * The Flower Patch Magazine * The Flower Arranger Magazine * RHS Chelsea Flower Show * RHS Hamptom Court Palace Garden Festival * Rebecca Louise Law * Zita Elze * Xanthe Berkeley * Carrie Santana da Silva | WishWishWish * Later * The Undoing * This Is Us * The Great Pottery Throw Down * Fiona Pickles * Beth Kirby | Local Milk * The Wild Mother * The Conversation Workshops * Trent Shelton
SEE MORE OF RONA'S WORK HERE: Website | Instagram | Under the Floral Spell | In the Floral Spotlight
Instagram for Florists Online Course | YouTube
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Bloom Trust Co. A highly curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Log In. Find what you need. Go out and flower with purpose. Click here to learn more.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Lucy Hunter (aka The Flower Hunter) in North Wales to discuss:
- her early career in a "proper job" and why she left it
- the dream brief she landed as a garden designer
- why she temporarily lost her creativity and how she regained it
- how she found her way to floristry
- her passion for floral and still life photography
- the important connections she's made on Instagram
- thoughts on parenting a creative child
- the healing attributes of art
- what Covid has taught us about the importance of art and slowing our pace
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 72: * + Max Gill | Max Gill Design + Gabriela Salazar | La Musa de las Flores + Carol's Garden + Gavin & Stacy + Monty Don
LEARN MORE ABOUT LUCY HUNTER HERE: Website | Instagram
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO.
A highly curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Log In. Find what you need. Go out and flower with purpose. Click here for to learn more.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re excited to finally unveil Bloom Trust Co., our newest venture launching mid-November and created with your needs and our mission in mind. We've switched it up a bit on the BB Podcast today. You might say we're keeping it all in the family as Maggie Bailey interviews Amy McGee about all the details and questions we think you might have regarding Bloom Trust Co.:
- How the Bloom Trust Co. website functions
- Why we decided to start a new business in the midst of a pandemic
- Who we believe will benefit from the resources on the new website
- How we vet the recommended resources
- How the new website and membership will support our mission
- How you can join us at Bloom Trust Co.
What is Bloom Trust Co.? While Bloom Trust Co. is a virtual space, we want it to feel more like your quaint locally-owned corner bookstore or gallery where conversation flows around shared interests, you can find the resources you need to hone your skill set, and your friends are always happy to see you. We know it won't be easy to create the in-person experience on a website platform, but hey, we've figured out how to stay in touch during a pandemic so we're convinced anything is possible given the right motivation and shared values.
The Bloom Trust Co. website is a membership site and we've worked hard to keep the price in line with one fast food meal per month - we think we're at least as helpful as a chicken tender & fries combo meal! The website provides a curated collection of resources to the floral community saving you time and providing recommendations you can trust. We believe Bloom Trust Co. can be a useful resource for anyone in the floral industry, but we've designed and curated the site to be especially useful to new and aspiring designers as well as business owners, freelancers, floral students, and those who are in the early years of owning a floral business. And most importantly, we're committed to making resources available to under served communities who have found access to the floral profession difficult in the past.
The Bloom Trust Co. Mission Our primary mission is to provide a highly curated collection of resources our members can trust while sharing outstanding educational opportunities, products, and services to help them learn and grow.
As a service-minded business, our commitment to Flowering with Purpose drives everything we do at Bloom Trust Co. Ten percent of our net profits are set aside to support our local community and other causes we believe in. Additional details regarding our service component will be available on the Mission page of the Bloom Trust Co. website or feel free to ask us directly! We believe in meeting needs, supporting meaningful causes, and creating opportunities with the resources we've been given.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BLOOM TRUST CO. HERE:
Website | Instagram
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Lauren Palmer & Leah Palmer, owners of The Wild Mother located in the Arts District, Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Kickapoo, Osage, Wichita, & Comanche land. What a pleasure to discuss the following topics with these women:
- why they refer to The Wild Mother as a Creative Studio rather than a Floral Studio
- the story behind the name of their business
- how their branding process honors their personalities and the memories of their ancestors
- the unique way they consult with wedding clients using Floral Stories
- the role of storytelling in their business
- the advantages of using a CRM (Client Relationship Management) tool
- how they appeal to their ideal clients
- the investment their parents and grandparents made in their lives through art
- how they plan to use art to honor their ancestors and bless their descendants
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 70: * Hannah Ashford | helping creative small businesses and entrepreneurs find refinement in their business vision and clarity in their brand story * Lauren Freeman | Golden & True * Britta Newton-Tarron | BNT & Co * Arts District | Oklahoma City * Chelsey Ann | Salt & Water Co * Dubsado * Honeybook * PLENTY Mercantile * Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WILD MOTHER HERE:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | TikTok: @twmcreativestudio
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha On-line Shop Click here to get your No Rain No Flowers tshirt!
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Lauren Anderson & Rachel Bridgwood, co-founders of Sweet Root Village in Alexandria, Virginia to discuss:
- how they built a culture of community within their business
- their tips for building strong relationships with event and wedding planners
- how they thinking outside the box on staffing and job descriptions
- the process of regrouping and persevering during the COVID pandemic
- their online learning hub: Village Schoolhouse
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 69: * Team Flower * Amy Nicole Floral * Sue Prutting | White Magnolia * Sophie Felts
LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET ROOT VILLAGE HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Village Schoolhouse
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha -- Online Shop
Click here to get your No Rain No Flowers tshirt!
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Megan McHugh & Denise Richter, co-founders of Pistil & Stamen in New Orleans, Louisiana to discuss:
- their transition from school garden teachers to full-time flower business owners
- how their complex business model helped keep their business afloat during the pandemic
- how they've built a strong partnership rooted in recognizing one another's strengths
- their journey over the years from developing urban gardens on city lots to a new flower farm opportunity
- confidence and fear — and how they play into decision making both in life and at Pistil & Stamen
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 68: * Gabriela Salazar | La Musa de las Flores * The Blue Carrot * Steve and Gretel | Sunny Meadows Flower Farm * Connecteam | All-in-One Employee communication app * Slack | Team management tool * Nicolette Camille * Jennie Love | Love 'n Fresh Flowers
SEE MORE ABOUT PISTIL & STATEN HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha
On-line Shop
Click here to get your No Rain No Flowers tshirt!
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Steven Dyme, co-founder of Flowers for Dreams (with locations in Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee) to discuss:
- the Flower for Dreams commitment to community and charity with every sale
- integrating philanthropy into a business model
- how his business has been able to survive during the pandemic
- the responsibilities and challenges that come with employing 50+ team members
- advice on how other business owners can make giving a part of their business model
- his unconventional entry into the floral industry
- teaming up with non-profits to impact communities through flower sales
- the commencement flower niche and the opportunities it offers
- finding a niche and scaling a business
- the secret behind the success of his long-time business partnership
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 67: * The University of Wisconsin - Madison * ACLU * Kennicott Brothers Wholesale * Farmer's Fridge * Blog Post: Weddings Are Different, We Must Be Different (Why We’re Saying “No” to Weddings in a Pandemic)
SEE MORE ABOUT HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Flower Truck
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha
On-line Shop
Click here to get your No Rain No Flowers tshirt!
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Jessie Chui | Crafted to Bloom
TOPIC: Paper Flower Art
Jessie Chui, owner of Crafted to Bloom and author of a beautiful new book called Paper Flower Art, joins us on the Botanical Brouhaha podcast to share her passion for paper flower art from the creation of single stems to designing artistic arrangements, or compositions as she prefers to call them. Not only does she share details about creating paper flowers, but she also shares a vision for collaboration between fresh flower florists and paper art florists to meet the unique needs of clients.
Where to Find a Paper Florist to Work With
Where do you find a paper florist? Most of us have websites and social media presence and simply searching for “#paperflowerartist” or “#paperflorist” will give you some leads. However, the easiest way is to head over to The Paper Florists Collective and search our Member Directory, which has paper florists from all over the world.
Another way is to follow our podcast, Paper Talk. We spotlight different paper flower artists, like Margie Keates and Ann Wood, and we also speak to florists, photographers and other industry experts about their art and experiences. We recently had Holly Heider Chapple on our podcast, and in the past, we had Alicia Schwede of Flirty Fleurs and Bella Fiori, Caroline Tran of Caroline Tran Photography, and Kelly Lemon of Kelly Lemon Photography.
In the end, we all want to serve our clients the best that we can. Giving our clients an option of using paper flowers alongside with fresh florals simply makes it easier for you to keep your clients happy and turn their dreams into reality.
Follow Jessie's Work:
Website | Instagram | Book | The Paper Florists Collective | Paper Talk Podcast
To Find a Paper Florist Near You: Click Here
Paper Flower Art by Jessie Chui, GMC Publications, RRP $34.95, available online and in all good bookshops.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Lily Roden, owner of Lily Roden Floral Design in Southern California to discuss:
- why she turned to flowers in a time of struggle
- the reason she didn't initially embrace her creative side
- the story of her family's move to the US from El Salvador
- the impact working with flowers had on her mental health
- learning through freelancing
- her advice to other designers looking for freelance opportunities
- the process of re-branding her business
- flowering during the pandemic
- the motivation behind the philanthropy she embraces as a business owner
- her desire to connect with other Latina creatives and see their work showcased in their respective industries
- the challenges she experienced as a creative immigrant
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * University of California Berkeley * Janelle Thomson | Lavenders Flowers * LVL Weddings & Events * Bows + Arrows * The Nouveau Romantics * Lewis Miller Design
SEE MORE FROM Lily Roden Floral Design HERE: Website | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha
On-line Shop
Click here to get your No Rain No Flowers tshirt and/or market bag!
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Bex Partridge | Botanical Tales
TOPIC: Growing, Harvesting, and Creating with Everlasting Flowers
Today I'm visiting with Bex Partridge, owner of Botanical Tales in Farnham, UK. Bex is a floral artist and published author specializing in everlasting flowers. I'm thrilled that she agreed to walk us through her process of growing, cutting, and drying flowers. And she's sharing tips on designing with everlasting flowers. Be sure to check out the end of the show notes to learn how you can enter to win a copy of her new book Everlastings: How to Grow, Harvest and Create with Dried Flowers. I'm hoping our conversation will open new avenues of creativity and maybe even a new income stream for some of you!
Methods for Drying Flowers:
- Air Drying
- Pressing
- Silica Gel
Sampling of Flowers Recommended by Bex for Drying:
- Helichrysum
- Statice
- Peony
- Tulip
- Rudbeckia
- Echinacea
- Cosmos
- Dahlia (some varieties)
Caring for Everlasting Flowers:
- Keep out of intense heat and direct sunlight
- Store by laying the blooms out in a box using tissue paper and include a silica gel packet to draw out moisture during storage
- Store in a dry temperate place
- Avoid storing for extended lengths of time before designing with the blooms
- Avg. Drying Time: 2-3 weeks (peonies take longer)
- Read more here
Advantages of Using Everlasting Flowers:
- Extends the season for designers (by allowing them to design with everlasting flowers during winter months)
- Sustainable sourcing
- Longevity in designs
- Can be combined with fresh flowers
- Offers a way to create long lasting displays in retail spaces to showcase products and brands
- Flower farmers can dry and then sell blooms they weren't able to sell fresh
Bex's Suggestions for Adding Movement to a Design:
- Love Lies Bleeding
- Canary Grass
- Fountain Grass
- Quaking Grass
- Alchemilla mollis
- Gypsophila
Enter to win a copy of Everlastings: How to Grow, Harvest and Create with Dried Flowers:
- Leave a comment on the blogpost for this episode.
- That's it! Easy Peasy!
- Deadline for entry: 11:59 pm Central Time on Sunday, August 16, 2020.
- Winners will be chosen by random drawing and notified on August 17, 2020 via email.
- Contest open to residents of the US and Europe.
See more work by Bex here:
Website | Instagram | IGTV | Pinterest | Twitter
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Mentioned in this episode: Natalie Gill | Native Poppy (Hear Natalie Gill on the BB Podcast. Click here.)
Today we’re visiting with Scott Shepherd (aka 'Cutflower Scott'), host of The Flower Podcast to discuss:
- the root of his love of flowers
- his experience working in a flower wholesale house for over 25 years
- what prompted him to start a podcast
- his transition from the wholesale business to full-time podcast host
- the mission behind The Flower Podcast
- how the pandemic has impacted his business and family
- the designers who have inspired him along the way
- the challenges he's faced as a podcast host
- the growing facets of The Flower Podcast
- his passion for encouraging and supporting flower growers
- his favorite flower and his unapologetic love for it
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 65: * Green Petal Farms (see Scott's hellebore crop above!) * Ariella Chezar * Holly Chapple * Hitomi Gilliam AIFD * Joy Proctor * Ian Prosser * Pat Dahlson | Mayesh Wholesale * Joseph Massie * Gabriela Salazar | La Musa de las Flores * Flowerstock * Flower Magazine * Zoom * Flirty Fleurs * Alaska Peony Cooperative * Jennie Love | Love 'n Fresh Flowers
Learn more about THE FLOWER PODCAST here: Website | Instagram | Facebook | iTunes
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha
On-line Store
Click here to get your No Rain No Flowers tshirt and/or market bag!
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Christine Hoover MA, LPC, NCC
With Special Guest: Jaelynn Solomon, Co-Owner of Urban Rubbish Weddings
TOPIC: FINDING BALANCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
This interview was fun and informal because I invited Christine and Jaelynn to drop by my house and share their thoughts on a topic that seems to pop up frequently in the flower industry — figuring out how to use social media to grow a business while successfully bypassing the comparison game which often ensues. With Christine's expertise in counseling and Jaelynn's practical experiences as a floral design business owner, I hoped we could share honestly about the struggles and the gifts of social media. And ultimately, I believed we could learn a few things from one another because these are women I trust and respect to talk with honesty about the sticky stuff. I hope you'll grab a cup of tea and plop down on the couch with us for this conversation. You might want to grab a pen and paper because Christine shares some advice I believe is worth noting!
Takeaways From Our Conversation:
- Learn to appreciate the ways social media can help us connect with others
- Find healthy boundaries and understand that we're not wired to be close to thousands of people (ex. social media followers)
- Know your emotional limits to avoid compromising real-life relationships
- Know your personal threshold to avoid overwhelm which will ultimately compromise your creative work
- Find internal meaning to balance trying to meet external expectations
- Find value in the strengths of colleagues and learn from them
- Examine thoughts of resentment about unfairness and find strategies for moving past them
- Move in close to understand the 'story behind the story' and alleviate jealously or resentment
- Strive for human connections through business
“People are hard to hate close up. Move in. Speak truth to bullshit. Be civil. Hold hands. With strangers. Strong back. Soft front. Wild heart.”― Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BOTANICAL BROUHAHA
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like BB+ Episode 7: Alison Ellis on Social Media Mindset.
Today we’re visiting with Laura Langford and Dawson Hamilton, owners of Roam Flora located in Ottawa, Canada to discuss:
- the birth and progress of their solar-powered flower farm
- where they’ve found the resources they need to build a growing business
- how their work and educational backgrounds have impacted their flower farm business model
- the layout and terrain of Roam Flora Farm
- their tendency to be “chronic entrepreneurs”
- the challenges of farming their particular piece of land
- the flower varieties they grow
- their crew
- “dealing with the alligator closest to the boat”
- how they altered their previous plans when the pandemic hit their area
- The Flower Hut (see below)
- the options they offer their customers
- the day their delivery van was stolen with all the wedding flowers in it!
- how Laura moved from “The Occasional Florist” to a full-time flower farmer
- Laura’s warning about naming a business
- dollhouse flowers, micro arrangements, and tiny amaranth popcorn
- the day the cows spent time in the dahlia field
- their dreams for the future of Roam Flora
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 62: * Canadian Tire * Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden * Floret Farm's A Year in Flowers * Floret Online Workshop | Grow, Harvest and Sell Flowers on a Small Scale * The Billy Goat * Realtor.ca * The Green Cone * Holly Chapple's Mother's Day Installation * Coolbot (Get $20 off a CoolBot or Coolbot Pro - Click Here) * Shopify * Nova Scotia College of Art & Design * Dalhousie University * Sheridan College * Shepherd's Hut * Tree dahlia * Amaranth popcorn * Mexican Popped Amaranth Candy * Hunte's Gardens Barbados * Ottawa Flower Market * Rosalind's Garden Blooms * Ditch Witch Trencher * Escape to the Country
SEE MORE OF ROAM FLORA HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
KimBang loves flowers and she's found a purpose which is currently driving her to impact the wedding industry on a much deeper level than she once envisioned. While consulting with potential wedding clients at her Virginia studio, she began to notice a hesitancy in young Vietnamese Americans to embrace the traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony. By listening to her clients, KimBang began to understand the challenges the couples face — securing the resources needed for a traditional Vietnamese wedding, as well as the knowledge of ceremony customs which may not have been passed down in detail through generations. KimBang's belief that wedding photographs are extremely important in preserving and handing down cultural wedding traditions is leading her to a niche business model assisting couples in learning and incorporating their culture into wedding ceremonies which will be preserved for future generations through photography. In addition to our conversation on the podcast, KimBang also produced a photo shoot and blog post walking us through the elements of a traditional Vietnamese wedding. We're hopeful the expertise provided by KimBang will provide the support floral designers need to service Vietnamese weddings in their own communities when given the opportunity - thereby helping to preserve an important cultural ceremony.
Mentioned on Episode 12: * The importance of preserving important cultural traditions * The need for more editorial features in the wedding industry highlighting diverse wedding traditions * Inspiring young people to embrace their cultural history by creating content to reflect their heritage * The elements of a traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony * Providing the resources needed for a traditional Vietnamese wedding to couples as rentals * Embracing a range of cultures as a retail flower shop to show acceptance and increase customer base * Pushing past fear to open important conversations
See More of KimBang's work:
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha
On-line Shop
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Rebecca Grace, owner of Natural Art Flowers in Perth, Australia to discuss:
- The challenges of working in an isolated location
- Growing a flower business over time
- Utilizing her studio space with efficiency
- Handling business during a pandemic
- Team function on wedding days
- Insights on hotel and corporate accounts
- Managing client wishes
- Social Media as a business tool
- Relaxing, exercising, and vacations
- Details of one of her favorite installations
- Creating the best work under pressure
SEE MORE OF REBECCA'S WORK HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BOTANICAL BROUHAHA
Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for additional inspiration and news.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Joseph Massie | Joseph Massie Flowers + Joseph Massie at the UK School of Floristry
TOPIC: OPENING AN ONLINE STUDIO Today is the day we've anxiously awaited! Joseph Massie, a 5-time Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medalist who is often referred to by the media as 'the floral artist of his generation', is opening the virtual doors to his online studio which means designers the world over can now study under him in the convenience of their own studios and homes. Known for his expertise in teaching the 'why' in addition to the 'how' behind his designs, Joseph unlocks avenues of creativity which have often eluded designers. Floral artist Susan McLeary says Joseph once asked her during a workshop the one question that changed her career: why she'd placed the flowers the way she had. Sharing techniques like the Golden Ratio and 3-5-8, Joseph equips students to understand the principles of floral design in a way that elevates their future work. In today's episode we're chatting with Joseph about his new online studio from curriculum to cost as he welcomes us to his Online Classroom packed with his personal instruction, tried and tested techniques, solid theory — and his endearing sense of humor!
The Courses: * The Floral Clutch - secrets to creating a chic floral accessory clutch which Joseph often sells as a bridesmaid's bouquet alternative * The Wired Flower Crown - Joseph often offers this crown to flower girls or as an alternative for bridesmaids * The Cascading Garland - an iconic technique that can be adapted for a multitude of occasions and seasons * The Classic Centerpiece - a fundamental in any designer's toolkit made entirely foam free and suitable to a plethora of containers * The Classic Bridal Bouquet - Joseph shares the most helpful technique he's discovered for creating an abundance of bridal bouquet styles * The Textured Vase - Joseph shares his technique for creating elevated statement centerpieces without using floral foam * The Complete Collection (contains all 6 courses)
- Each of the six individual courses is carefully curated by Joseph and features:
- A detailed Instructional Video, packed full of Joseph’s own hints and tips for every project
- A bespoke Floral Recipe of sundries and botanicals to create every piece
- A Step-by-Step Printable Resource for future use
- A thorough Substitutions Guide for every single project
- A thorough Floral Glossary Guide packed with tool, sundry and floral terminology
- The commercial relevance to each piece - meaning how Joseph sells every design to his clients!
- As a bonus, you will also be invited to join Joseph's private alumni Facebook group** to be a part of his online floral community
- 20% Discount on single courses + 30% Discount on the Complete Collection until July 7, 2020
The e-Book Collection: * The Golden Ration & 3-5-8 in Floral Design E-book - enrich your understanding of proportions and placements in floral design * The Principles & Elements in Floral Design E-book - packed with practical tips and techniques for applying principles and elements to enhance your floral practice * The E-book Collection (contains both e-books)
Answers to Questions You Might Have: 1. How much do the courses cost? Click Here to see the menu of courses with prices. 2. Do I have to complete my course in a specific time limit? No, you can work through your course at your own pace at any time that's convenient for you. 3. How long do I have to access my course after purchase? You have lifetime access to your course. Once you've made your purchase, you'll be able to access your course in your own personal online library immediately and forever. 4. I've noticed the course prices are in US dollars, but I live elsewhere, am I on the right site? Yes, you are in the right place. Joseph is unfortunately only able to sell in one currency and that happens to be USD because it's the biggest market. An online conversion site can be helpful for figuring out the cost in your currency.
MENTIONED IN BB+ EPISODE 11: * Susan McLeary | Floral Artist * Tobey Nelson | Tobey Nelson Events + Design
Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Natalie Gill, owner of Native Poppy flower delivery | San Diego, CA (2 retail locations: South Park & Solana Beach)
TOPIC: Finding Your Mojo A Botanical Brouhaha Podcast listener wrote to us asking for Natalie Gill's advice. The UK designer wrote: "How do you find your mojo when it's hiding?" After a challenging year of fast-paced business growth, the question resonated with Natalie and she was willing to open up with our audience to explore her personal struggles and the solutions she believes are essential to creating a sustainable business while regaining and maintaining her passion for life and work.
This episode is for you if:
- You've lost your creative flow
- You struggle with your creative voice on social media
- The weight of your creative job is feeling especially heavy
- You're feeling a forced responsibility to be creative which is blocking your ability to be creative
Natalie’s Tips for Regaining Your Creative Voice & Passion:
- Delegate duties where you can, train your team well, and then trust them to cover for you while you take time away
- Step away from your business periodically for an hour, a day, or an extended vacation
- Allow yourself to be reinvigorated by life (which means you have to actually live it!)
- Try new food, interact with someone you don't normally have a chance to interact with, or see something new
- Create moments of pause to avoid feeling forced or trapped in your work duties
- Consider what drains you vs. what fills you up and try to find a balance to ensure you're getting what you need to be successful
- Get to know yourself and then pursue other hobbies or learn a new skill
- Schedule appointments for accountability knowing you're less likely to break an appointment with someone else than break a promise to yourself (ex. scheduling a massage or drum lessons insures you'll follow through rather than making promises to yourself like "I'm going to read more")
- Freelance for another designer you admire to learn, gain inspiration, and work for a day without the weight of being the boss ( Natalie loved freelancing for Mindy Rice Design)
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha Online Shop
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Maria Maxit | Maxit Flower Design
TOPIC: Profitability Former BB Podcast co-host, Maria Maxit dropped by for a visit recently (via Zoom, of course) and we had fun catching up on what's happened at Maxit Flower Design since she last sat in the co-host chair. As we visited, she shared about her decision to step away from the podcast to continue growing her business in Houston. After about 15 minutes of catching up, we got around to the topic I asked Maria to share with the BB audience -- profitability. In this episode, Maria shares 6 tips she believes were crucial to building her profitable and sustainable floral design business. Hope you find her insights helpful!
Maria's Tips for Building a Profitable Business: * Hire a bookkeeper * Hire an accountant * Find your niche rather than seeking trends * Produce content you want to see and stay ahead of the curve * Seek a support system of other business owners * Stay flexible and offer a little more
Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Joseph Massie | Joseph Massie Flowers + Joseph Massie at the UK School of Floristry
TOPIC: Working Through A Pandemic When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down his city, Joseph Massie got to work figuring out how to handle the sudden halt of business cash flow due to wedding postponements, class cancellations, and budget restraints on commissioned work. Because he envisions his business being around for years to come, Joseph knew he had to play the long game and make decisions based on building the long-term relationships he'll need to sustain his business post-pandemic. He shares two important skills he's learned while trying to find the opportunities in what he calls his "blank slate moment" when business as he once knew it all changed.
Join us as we talk about: * handling staffing during the pandemic shut down * dealing with the confusion and insecurities created by an unprecedented situation * offering great customer service during challenging times * handling wedding postponements with grace * finding opportunities in the "blank slate moments" * why he decided to postpone the launch of his online school until July 1st, 2020 (it's right around the corner!)
Joseph’s Advice for Carrying On During the Pandemic: 1. Prioritize – Determine what’s essential, what you can do in the here and now, and what’s important to you. 2. Innovate – Look for new ways to serve your clients, team, and community.
MENTIONED IN BB+ EPISODE 8: * Joseph Massie’s Free Resource Page * BB+ Podcast #6: Joseph Massie on Training, Competing, and Winning
Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Mattie Bush, owner of Amelia's Flower Truck & Amelia's Flowers located in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss:
- How she dreamed up and executed the flower truck concept without a background in the floral industry
- How she scaled her business quickly to include 3 trucks
- Why she decided to add retail shops to her business model
- The challenges of selling flowers from a mobile truck
- Details on sourcing her flower trucks and the accessories she needed to complete the flower truck concept
- The story behind the names of her trucks...Amelia "Amy", Rory, and Melody
- Why she's chosen not to include wedding/event florals in Amelia's business model (with a few exceptions...for now)
- The merchandise and flower options offered by Amelia's Flowers
- The process of shifting to flower deliveries during the pandemic
- How she sources the flowers she sells from the flower bars on the trucks and in the shops
- The challenges of growing quickly and finding community in a unique niche
- Her dreams for the future of Amelia's Flowers
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 62: * Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart * 1767 Designs * "I'm Not a Florist" by Mattie Bush * Charlotte's Florals
SEE MORE OF AMELIA'S FLOWER TRUCK HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
SEE MORE OF AMELIA'S FLOWER SHOPS HERE:
Website | Instagram
Today’s episode is brought to you by: REAL FLOWER BUSINESS
Click here to learn more about online business courses and free training for florists including Flower Math: The Florist's Guide To Pricing & Profitability, and Wedding Templates to help you streamline your proposal process and help clients book more quickly.
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Alison Ellis | Real Flower Business
TOPIC: Social Media Mindset Alison Ellis of Real Flower Business surprised me when we sat down for a visit. Instead of me asking her a question, she turned the tables and asked me a question she'd received recently from one of her followers! She asked: "Do you have any tips around mindset for showing up on social media even though you'd rather completely ignore it all together?" We had a lot of fun exploring the question together (and I hope we gave her follower some food for thought).
A few of the ideas we kicked around during our visit:
- Posting content on social media is a great way to drive traffic to your business website
- Closely following your gut on when and how to post can produce organic growth
- Consistency will help grow a business (the growth may be slow and steady, so be patient)
- Social media is simply another tool to get the word out about your business and connect with others
- Social media can lead to long lasting relationships with industry peers who live in other parts of the world
- Setting boundaries on time spent on social media is crucial to maintaining balance
- We don't have to like every aspect of social media to use it to the advantage of our business
- Don't get caught up in what you feel you have to do on social media - you are in control!
- Having a business website is crucial (especially in the event that a social media account is hacked or the platform goes away)
- While scheduling posts ahead of time is efficient, some business owners may prefer to post in "real" time
- Practice leads to progress (posts and schedules don't have to be perfect from the start to lead to results)
- Leading with authenticity is the name of the game
Mentioned in BB+ Episode 7:
- Swan Cottage Flowers
- Planoly
- Tailwind
- Susan McLeary
- Rachel Merkle | District M Creative
Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Original Music: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Today we’re visiting with Kate Woodley, owner of Two Wild Hands located in Cooranbong, Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia to discuss:
- her transition from interior design to floral design
- the significance of having her own studio space
- the teaching opportunity that helped her gain momentum early on in her career
- landing product launch clients through PR companies
- the value in finding the support of a local community of designers
- why she tends to use minimal foliage
- why she prefers to visit the flower market in person despite the long drive
- the technique she uses to achieve her signature open airy aesthetic
- charging for destination weddings
- her color palette planning strategies
- the advantages of freelancing
- her main referral sources
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 61: * Sydney Flower Market * Xero | Accounting software * Songbird Silk * The Coterie Silk Ribbons
SEE MORE OF TWO WILD HANDS HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
TODAY’S GUEST: Joseph Massie Joseph Massie + Joseph Massie Flowers + UK School of Floristry TOPIC: Training, Competing, & Winning Over the years, we've had the honor of featuring Joseph Massie's work on the Botanical Brouhaha blog many times. From his rose tunnel installation in honor of the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen to the stunning living dress he designed for Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips to wear to the National Television Awards (NTAs), Joseph's work has long intrigued us. But when I sat down with Joseph recently, there was one thing in particular on my mind. I wanted to know how he became the youngest designer to win 5 consecutive Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals. How does one attain that honor at such a young age? What had he done behind the scenes to prepare for such a lofty goal?
Our conversation was casual and fun. Joseph's wit (and hilarious sarcasm) made the time fly by way too fast. Before I knew it, we were flying through his memories of being a 14 yr old teenager looking for a weekend job, winning the British Florist Association Young Florist of the Year, walking away with his 5th Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal, and buying a school. I hope you enjoy today's episode as much as I enjoyed the visit with Joseph.
Mentioned in BB+ Episode 6:
- St. Helen’s College
- The Florist Magazine
- British Florist Association
- Neil Whittaker
- Sarah Horne
- Ian Lloyd
- InterFlora
- WorldSkills Competition
- Chelsea Flower Show
- Stephanie Willoughby
- Gregor Lersch
- Per Benjamin
- Elly Lin
- Hanneke Frankema
- Myers & Briggs Personality Test
Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Original Music: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
With social distancing practices still in place, BB Podcast host Amy McGee got on a Zoom call with her co-host Maggie Bailey of Bramble & Bee to catch up and discuss living life and running a floral business in the midst of the pandemic. Maggie shares how Bramble & Bee has adjusted business practices during the Covid-19 pandemic. She also discusses what they hope for the coming weeks and months as the country slowly starts to adjust to the new normal.
Today we’re visiting with sisters Jessica Hall & Stephanie Auville, from Harmony Harvest Farm in Weyers Cave, Virginia to discuss:
- the beach-side conversation that led to the creation of their family-run business - Harmony Harvest Farm
- the scope of what they grow on the farm
- the services they provide to their retail and wholesale customers
- their thoughts on the importance of learning to ship their product efficiently (they've just released The Flower Shipping Course to help others do the same)
- what a typical farming year looks like at Harmony Harvest Farm
- the team structure responsible for managing the farm
- the advantages of working together in a family business
- how they spend their off season
- their decision to purchase the manufacturing of a flower frog originally manufactured by Dorothy Biddle Services
- how they discovered the flower frog business was for sale, what they purchased in the deal, and how they transitioned into production as Floral Genius
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 60: * Chapel Designers * First Lady's Luncheon | Washington, D.C. * greenSinner * Lisa Ziegler * Floral Putty/Clay for anchoring pin frogs to bottom of container
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BOTANICAL BROUHAHA
Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for additional inspiration and news.
WIN A FLOWER FROG FROM FLORAL GENIUS:
- Join our mailing list if you haven't already (that's how we connect with our flower friends with news, resources, and a monthly newsletter!) Click Here
- Leave a comment below (so we know you're hoping to win!)
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Ellen Frost, owner of Local Color Flowers in Baltimore, Maryland to discuss:
- how she's able to source local flowers for her business year round
- her unique business model which includes weddings, weekly orders, book clubs, open studio nights, and more
- the Bloom Battle and Flower Trivia Nights hosted by Local Color Flowers
- the structure of her team
- how she transitioned from being in a business partnership to being a sole proprietor (and later, how she brought her husband on board full-time)
- how she's worked with local growers to establish winter crop availability
- the logistics of sourcing locally
- how she educates her customers about the cost of locally sourced flowers
- how she insures her wedding clients are a good fit for her business model
- the classes she offers to her community
- offering the Local Color Flowers space for rent to the public
- how she addresses sustainability in her business
- the ordering challenges involved in sourcing locally
- how she finds time to get away and travel with her husband each year
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 59: * Flower School NY * Love 'n Fresh Flowers * Maryland Cut Flower Growers Association * Dave Dowling * Ednie Flower Bulb * Fred C Gloeckner & Co * Butterbee Farm * Wollam Gardens * Flowers by Bauers & Greenhouses * Seaberry Farm * Belvedere Farm * Unsheltered
SEE MORE OF LOCAL COLOR FLOWERS HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | You Tube | Pinterest
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha
Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for additional inspiration and news.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
BB+ Guest: Christine Hoover, LPC
Even during "normal" times, floral professionals deal with stress and anxiety. The realities of the Corona Virus Pandemic have made this even more relevant.
In this episode Amy and Christine sat down to talk about how we can all learn to deal with anxiety. Christine talks about some of the ways our brain processes stress and some practical tips to help. She also talks about when we might need to seek out professional help and how to find that help.
Today’s episode is brought to you by: REAL FLOWER BUSINESS
Alison Ellis, of Real Flower Business, teaches florists how to make more money and book better clients. She believes every florist should turn a profit and recognize the value of their time & expertise. Click here to learn more.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Original Music: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Today we’re visiting with Beth O’Reilly, Director of Education & Merchandise at Greenleaf Wholesale in Houston, Texas to discuss:
- her career path through the floral design profession from ‘bud vase girl’ to accomplished designer
- the largest (and possibly the most interesting) event she ever produced
- how her Fine Arts Sculpture degree has affected her work in floral design
- her years of involvement in product development in China
- how family changed her career choices
- the advantages of freelancing
- her responsibilities and opportunities at Greenleaf
- the roles of flowers and logistics in a successful wholesale operation
- career opportunities in the wholesale business
- Greenleaf’s involvement in the Botanical Brouhaha Day Lily Initiative
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 58: * Ken’s Flower Shops * Coby Neal | The Flower Studio * Fabian Salcedo | F2 Floral Design * AIFD * Michelle Perry-White AIFD * Hobby Lobby * Empty Vase * Beverly Wilshire * Sharon Sacks | Sacks Productions * Oasis Floral Products
SEE MORE OF GREENLEAF WHOLESALE HERE: Website | Instagram (Beth O’Reilly) | Instagram (Greenleaf) | Facebook | You Tube | Four Brothers Farms | KB Farms
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BOTANICAL BROUHAHA
Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for additional inspiration and news.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Amy sat down with Holly Chapple of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers in Virginia to discuss how her business is coping with the ever changing realities of the current COVID-19 pandemic including communicating with clients and trying to help support employees.
This bonus episode is a follow-up to the BB+ Episode released on March 18th. Natalie and Amy discuss some of the constantly changing circumstances related to COVID-19 restrictions and their impact on floral businesses.
BB+ Guest: Natalie Gill of Native Poppy in San Diego, California
Many listeners wanted to get Natalie's advice on pricing.
In this episode Natalie describes how she prices items from her stem bar and also talks quite a bit about delivery charges and other issues around determining the correct price point for both retail and event floral customers.
Today’s episode is brought to you by: REAL FLOWER BUSINESS
Alison Ellis, of Real Flower Business, teaches florists how to make more money and book better clients. She believes every florist should turn a profit and recognize the value of their time & expertise. Click here to learn more.
Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Original Music: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Today we’re visiting with Rachelle Willows, owner of Flowers by Willows in Alberta, Canada to discuss:
- what led her to transition from being an EMT to being a floral designer
- how a workshop reignited her fire and encouraged her to fight PTSD and continue her business with a newfound vulnerability
- her peony burn party and how she turned a horrible situation into a teachable moment for her followers
- how her background as an EMT has impacted her mindset on floral design jobs
- the challenges of working in a remote location
- how a serious injury impacted her business
- how and why she manages an insane number of workshops during the Christmas season
- her 'petting zoo'
- her popular Whoville Trees made with Carolina Sapphire, Western Red Cedar, and Cyprus
- the photo shoot that impacted her thoughts on body image and body positivity
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 57: * Ponderosa & Thyme * Brooks Garden Peonies * Dutch Girl Peonies * Pacific Coast Floral * Florists Supply * Superior Floral Wholesale * Brz Photography * Ronald McDonald House * Ashley Woodson Bailey | Her Story
SEE MORE OF FLOWERS BY WILLOWS HERE: Website | Instagram (Flowers) | Instagram (Ranch) | Facebook
Today’s episode is brought to you by: CoolBot
Win a Coolbot PRO on the Botanical Brouhaha Blog. Click here for details.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
BB+ Guest: Alison Ellis of Real Flower Business
Two listener questions for today's episode:
"How would you suggest designers price out rental pieces that they own?"
"I've heard that floral designers sometimes say they charge 'x' amount for a boutonniere or a corsage or whatever. Is there a method for upcharging that's easy to follow for anyone regardless of where they are and what kind of discount they get from their wholesaler?"
Alison and Amy discuss these two topics related to pricing and Alison gives some great tips and guidelines. Rental item pricing is a frequent question Alison gets on her blog and she has a formula that can work in any market. She also discusses how to set minimum pricing on floral items and how to effectively communicate that to potential customers.
Today’s episode is brought to you by: CoolBot
Win a Coolbot PRO on the Botanical Brouhaha Blog. Click here for details.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Original Music: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Today we’re visiting with Janne Ford, owner of Janne Ford Floral Photography to discuss:
- her transition from the fashion industry to a niche in floral styling & photography
- why she felt a natural connection to the Instagram platform
- the images that helped her Instagram account gain popularity
- the opportunity that opened the door to her floral still life photography niche
- how she chooses the images she shares on social media
- her thoughts on flower arranging vs. floral styling
- the services she provides to clients
- how she utilizes Pinterest, Instagram, and her blog
- why she prefers to post on Instagram 3 times per week
- how she organizes her images
- why she prefers to post to social media in real time rather than scheduling her posts
- the photo editing apps and software she uses
MENTIONED IN EPISODE 56: * Country Living Fair * David Austin Wedding Roses * Strawberry Hill House * Snug | Make your Instagram beautiful * UNUM | Design & Plan Stories * Planoly | Simplify Social Marketing * Lightroom | Photo Editing * Hazel Shaw | Eden Blooms * A Color Story | Mobile imaging apps, Lightroom Presets, and Photoshop Actions * Snapseed | Photo-editing application * #inspiredbypetals * Inspired by Petals * Firenza Flowers * Frida Kim Flowers
SEE MORE FROM JANNE'S WORK HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Upcoming Workshop (France) | Twitter
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Cape Lily
Are you a little more flower obsessed than your average travel partner? Cape Lily creates botanical journeys for flower + travel passionate creatives like you! Join Cape Lily in London, New York, and South Africa in 2020. Coming in 2021: Japan. Click here for more info.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
BB+ Guest: Christine Hoover, LPC
A common question we get from designers:
"What does Imposter Syndrome look like in the floral profession?
In this episode Christine and Amy discuss imposter syndrome and how it impacts designers. Christine give some strategies for coping with imposter syndrome including slowing down, practicing self-acceptance, and learning how to deal with negative thoughts.
Today’s episode is brought to you by: REAL FLOWER BUSINESS
Alison Ellis, of Real Flower Business, teaches florists how to make more money and book better clients. She believes every florist should turn a profit and recognize the value of their time & expertise. Click here to learn more.
Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Original Music: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Today we’re visiting with Ali Dahlson, Marketing Manager at Mayesh Wholesale to discuss:
- the rich history of Mayesh Wholesale Florist
- the opportunity that led her back to the family business from a career in interior architecture
- how her family has expanded the business over the years to include 19 locations in 10 states
- the dynamics of a successful family-run business
- upcoming US and International workshop opportunities hosted by Mayesh
- her strategies for working around distractions
- her responsibilities as Marketing Manager
- her thoughts on trends and their importance to wholesalers
- ways Mayesh will be addressing sustainability this year
- what sets Mayesh apart from other wholesalers
-
the key to successful social media marketing
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MENTIONED IN EPISODE 55:
- Ann Sacks Tile & Stone
- Nicole Clarey Photography
- Christy Hulsey | Colonial House of Flowers | Former Mayesh Design Star
- Shean Strong | Former Mayesh Design Star
- Anthony Maslo | The Boy Who Cried Flowers | 2020 Mayesh Design Star
- Evernote
- Putnam & Putnam’s visit to Mayesh Houston
- Mayesh Brannan Street
- Adobe Indesign
- Adobe Illustrator
- Pantone Color of the Year
- Aalsmeer Flower Festival
- International Floriculture Trade Fair (IFTF 2020)
- Floralife
- Eddie the Cooler Guy
- Canva
- Mayesh Workshop with Susan McLeary
MAYESH CLIENT RESOURCES: * Flower Library * Product Planner * Mornings with Mayesh Podcast * Product Guides * Mayesh Luxe Blooms
SEE MORE OF MAYESH HERE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | You Tube
Today’s episode is brought to you by: DayLily Initiative: Botanical Brouhaha
A passion project about fairness + equality against all odds. What would you do if you had just one day to bloom? Click here to find out more.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
BB+ Guest: Natalie Gill of Native Poppy in San Diego, California
A listener from Minnesota asks:
"How do you market your à la carte wedding flowers?"
In this episode Natalie describes how she markets her extensive à la carte wedding flower menu and shares a few additional marketing strategies she uses in her business to build her Native Poppy clientele and find new customers.
Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)
Sound Engineer: Joel McGee
Original Music: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Today we’re visiting with Gracie Poulson, owner of Grace Rose Farm in Southern California to discuss:
- expanding from a backyard rose garden to a full-scale farming operation
- logistics of scaling a business quickly to keep up with demand
- challenges of shipping a perishable product from a rural location
- choosing which rose varieties to grow
- diversifying a flower farming business to include additional products/services
- advice for prospective growers
- work/life balance and the effects of the business on family
LINKS & ROSE VARIETIES MENTIONED IN EPISODE 54: * Steve Moore | Sinclair & Moore * LA Flower Market * Golden Celebration rose * Charlotte rose * Black Baccara rose * Koko Loko rose * Distant Drums rose * Pure Perfume rose * Evelyn rose * Stephen Rulo rose * Honey Dijon rose * Stainless Steel rose
SEE MORE OF GRACE ROSE FARM HERE: Website | Instagram
Today’s episode is brought to you by: REAL FLOWER BUSINESS
Click here for more info on Alison Ellis’s email, proposal, contract, and work flow templatesor visit the Real Flower Business website for additional resources here.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Today we’re visiting with Graeme Corbett, owner of Bloom + Burn in London to discuss:
- his transition from a career in TV to the floral design profession
- why he's felt the freedom to follow the natural flow of his business
- the logistical differences he's experienced while producing brand sets vs. weddings
- insights into his Instagram feed aesthetic
- lessons he's learned about pricing
- building a business to embrace his personal strengths
- where he found the courage to make a career shift into floral design
Links Mentioned in Episode 53: * JamJar Flowers * Dirty Hit * The 1975 * No Rome * Jamie Oliver * My Year of Rest and Relaxation * British Flowers Week
See more of Graeme’s work here: Website | Instagram
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Greenleaf Wholesale
Keeping Florists Blooming Since 1950 – ‘When you Succeed, We Succeed.’ The Greenleaf shipping division and knowledgeable sales reps make it possible to experience Greenleaf flowers even if you aren’t close to a physical location. Click hereto follow Greenleaf on Instagram. Click here to sign up and become a Greenleaf customer.
Beth O'Reilly, Director of Education and Merchandise for Greenleaf, was awarded the keynote speaker and rotunda designer designation for the San Diego Museum of Art's -Art Alive Exhibition April 23-26, 2020. Beth will be commissioned, along with Greenleaf, to create a 3 story floral installation for this prestigious annual event that attracts national media attention and welcomes nearly 12,000 visitors in just one weekend. For ticket information, click here.
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * BotanicalBrouhaha.com * Instagram * Facebook
Today we’re visiting with Liza Lubell, owner of Peartree and Garbage Goddess based in the NYC area to discuss:
- how a gap-year job in a flower shop turned into a 14 year career (so far!) in the floral industry
- her diversified business model which provides flowers for private homes, editorial work, weddings, special events, and corporate clients
- the seed of an idea for Garbage Goddess that began in her flower business, Peartree, and grew into an additional business as other floral designers inquired about her services
- the process of recycling post-event flowers and supplies
- the fee structure for Garbage Goddess services
- partnerships between Garbage Goddess and artists who create art with post-event flowers
- her annual pilgrimage/retreat to Costa Rica
- environmental-friendly installations
- how she measures success
Links mentioned in Episode Fifty-Two: * Mary Lennox * Ariella Chezar * Saipua * Nicolette Camille Floral Design * Eothen * Selva * Max Gill Design * Fox Fodder Farm
See more of Liza’s work here: Peartree: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Garbage Goddess: Instagram
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Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series
Today we’re visiting with Lorna Stuart Trainor, owner of A Room in Bloom located in Athlone, Ireland to discuss:
- her winding career path from archaeology to floristry
- how she decided it was time to take a leap and open her own retail flower shop
- the loneliness of being a business owner and how she has overcome it
- the conversation which led her to rethink her business model
- her transition from retail florist to by-appointment only event florist
- customer reactions to her business model shift
- the value of both hiring freelancers and working as a freelancer
- handling the expectations of clients
- the special bond she's created with two of her industry peers, Jenny and Sylvia
- the weekend she won two awards for her wedding florals and...Rugby Player of the Year!
Links mentioned in Episode Fifty-One: * Nick Priestly | Mood Flowers * Jenny Murphy | Flowers by Moira * Sylvia Abraham | Bella Botanica * Josephine Rogers Strain | Callas Floral Design * Chapel Designers | Holly Chapple | Evan Chapple * Kevin Dooley & Orlagh Dooley | Dooley's Flowers * Matthew Landers * Flowerstock * Fleuramour
See more of Lorna's work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Greenleaf Wholesale
Keeping Florists Blooming Since 1950 - 'When you Succeed, We Succeed.' * The Greenleaf shipping division and knowledgeable sales reps make it possible to experience Greenleaf flowers even if you aren’t close to a physical location. Click here to follow Greenleaf on Instagram. Click here to sign up and become a Greenleaf customer
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Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series
Today we’re visiting with Rosbie Morton, founder/owner of The Real Flower Company located in Hampshire, England to discuss:
- how her perplexity over the lack of scented roses propelled her to find and grow varieties with scent
- the growth and diversity of her business over the years
- how she increased stem length while maintaining the scent of the roses she grows
- the experience which led her to grow roses under cover
- pricing specialty roses
- how she staffs The Real Flower Company farm, retail shops, and sweet pea nursery
- why she felt it was necessary to partner with a sister company in Kenya
- her thoughts on sustainability and education
- her experience behind the scenes at the Chelsea Flower Show
- handling the challenges of rose diseases
Links mentioned in Episode Fifty: * Covent Garden * Paula Pryke * Jane Packer * Kenneth Turner * Pulbrook & Gould * Rob Van Helden * Shane Connolly
Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Mayesh
Coming in 2020: International Workshop Experience in The Netherlands (April 5-11, 2020) with Sue Mcleary and Hanneke Frankema. Mayesh is looking forward to creating more magical flower moments abroad with groups of passionate flower designers. Want to attend The Netherlands workshop? Click here for more info.
Click here to visit Mayesh Wholesale's useful website -- filled with tools and educational content like the Flower Library treasured by designers.
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series
Today we’re visiting with Parie Donaldson, owner of Parie Designs (Amarillo, Texas), cancer survivor, and Details Flowers virtual designer to discuss:
- her transition from a retail shop to an events-only studio
- how she’s dealt with setbacks and diversions in business
- how her breast cancer diagnosis affected her business
- her new venture as a virtual design assistant
- what led to her renewed love affair with floral design
- how she handled telling her clients about her cancer diagnosis
- her ‘Plan C’
- the perks of freelancing
- the meaningful photo shoot her friends orchestrated during her treatment
Links mentioned in Episode Forty-Nine: * Details Flowers Software * Chapel Designers * Isha Foss | Isha Foss Design * Susan Kelly | Marion Moss Floral Design * Andrea Grist * Holly Chapple| Holly Heider Chapple Flowers * Curate * Jayson Munn | Jayson Munn Design * Flowerstock * Robbie Honey * Lindsay Diminick | Yellow Twist Floral Design | BB Podcast Episode 48
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series
Guest Co-Host: Maggie Bailey | Bramble & Bee
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Lindsay Diminick, owner of Yellow Twist Floral Design in Portland, Maine and cancer survivor/emergency plan educator to discuss:
- her roundabout academic and career journey which circled back to the love of floral design she'd had since she was a teen
- the gift of moving and getting to restart a business and what she did with that opportunity
- how she utilized her time in cancer treatment to work on her business plan for Yellow Twist's relaunch in a new city
- coming back to floral design after cancer treatment with intention and mindfulness
- how she's made space in her life to honor what she's been through
- her belief that having a contingency plan creates choices for a designer during an emergency
- how a contingency plan showcases professionalism and builds trust with clients
Important teachers Lindsay credits for her ongoing floral design education: * Holly Chapple * Susan McCleary * Hitomi Gilliam * Françoise Weeks * Gregor Lersch * Michelle Edgemont * Isha Foss * Alison Ellis * Putnam and Putnam * Nicole Land * Emily Thompson
See more of Lindsay’s work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Lindsay's Contingency Planning Worksheet
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Mayesh
Coming in 2020: International Workshop Experience in The Netherlands (April 5-11, 2020) with Sue Mcleary and Hanneke Frankema. Mayesh is looking forward to creating more magical flower moments abroad with groups of passionate flower designers. Want to attend The Netherlands workshop? Click here for more info.
Guest Co-Host: Maggie Bailey | Bramble & Bee
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series
Today we’re visiting with Teresa Sabankaya, author of The Posy Book and owner of Bonny Doon Garden Company in Bonny Doon, California to discuss:
- the 'garden fever' that led her to a career in the floral industry over 20 years ago
- the struggles that came with adding a retail shop to her business model
- the ins and outs of running a retail flower shop in a locally-owned grocery market
- the two floral wedding packages she offers at Bonny Doon Garden Co
- the inspiration behind The Posy Book
- her fascination with the language of flowers
- the importance of including a sentiment tag with a posy
- how she navigated the process of writing a book
- how she solved the challenge of using modern flower varieties that didn't yet have meanings assigned to them in her posies
Links mentioned in Episode Forty-Seven: * A Shop of One's Own * Paula Pryke * New Leaf Community Markets * Tussie-Mussies: The Language of Flowers by Geraldine Adamich Laufer * Michaels * The New Language of Flowers * Debra Prinzing | Slow Flowers * Danyelle Dee Photography
See more of Teresa’s work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Bonny Doon Garden Co | Pinterest
Bonny Doon Garden Co Instagram | Bonny Doon Garden Co Facebook
Sign up to receive Teresa's newsletter before September 27, 2019 for a chance to win an autographed copy of The Posy Book (US residents only). Click here and scroll to the bottom to subscribe.
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Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha Garden Style
Join us for a hands-on workshop and short film collaboration with Susan McLeary, Phil John Perry, and Holly Chapple on Nov. 4-6, 2019 in Bryan, Texas. Proceeds will help us meet needs and create opportunities for our neighbors in Bryan. Click here for more info. We’d love to see you there!
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Guest Co-Host: Maggie Bailey | Bramble & Bee
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series
Today we’re visiting with Natalie Gill, owner of Native Poppy in San Diego & Solana Beach, California to discuss:
- how she quit her corporate job and jumped into floristry
- the role her staff has played in her success
- her philosophy on staff management
- job descriptions for her staff members
- her advice for collaborating on destination weddings
- the Native Poppy Flower Menu
- how she mitigates loss of perishable products
- her collaboration with Ashley Renuart on the Native Poppy shop installations
- her thoughts on advertising
- pricing and managing flower inventory
- where she finds the courage to take risks in business
- her big dreams for the future
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series
Links mentioned in Episode Forty-Six: * Janelle Wylie | Lavenders Flowers | Tono + Co * Mindy Rice Design * Team Flower * Bows and Arrows * Mayesh Wholesale
3 Books Natalie Recommends: * Profit First * The One Thing * The E Myth
See more of Natalie’s work at Native Poppy here: Website | Shop Instagram | Personal Instagram | Facebook
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Mayesh Wholesale
Have you heard about the new Product Planner at Mayesh Wholesale?
Throw out your spreadsheets and plan ahead for upcoming events by the stem! Create a recipe for all of your event designs, based on the flower availability for your event date, and Mayesh will tally up the number of stems you’ll need. Afterward, you can efficiently and accurately request a quote from your Mayesh sales representative.
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Guest Co-Host: Gabe Miller | Ten23 Photography
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Photography: SoCal Standard | Native Poppy
Today we’re visiting with Alicia Schwede, owner of Bella Fiori and Flirty Fleurs near Seattle, Washington to discuss:
- her most popular blog posts on Flirty Fleurs
- how a move affected her business model
- the flowers she grows in her garden
- why she thinks Pinterest helped the floral industry
- changes she's witnessed in bouquet styles over the years
- her thoughts on Instagram
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series
Links mentioned in Episode Forty-Five: * Rose Color Studies on Flirty Fleurs * Aisle Petal Calculation post on Flirty Fleurs * Compote Arrangements post on Botanical Brouhaha * Seattle Grower's Market * Northwest Wholesale Florists * Florabundance * Floressence Design Studio | Anne Bradfield, owner * Hitomi Gilliam * Holly Chapple * Chapel Designers * Alison Ellis | Real Flower Business * London Flower School * Paula Pryke * Neill Strain * McQueens * Robbie Honey
See more of Alicia's work at Bella Fiori here: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
See more of Alicia's work at Flirty Fleurs here: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Today’s episode is brought to you by: BB Garden Style
Join us for a hands-on workshop and short film collaboration with Susan McLeary, Phil John Perry, and Holly Chapple on Nov. 4-6, 2019 in Bryan, Texas. Proceeds will help us meet needs and create opportunities for our neighbors in Bryan. Click here for more info. We’d love to see you there!
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Guest Co-Host: Maggie Bailey | Bramble & Bee
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Zoe Woodward, owner of Swan Cottage Flowers in Stoke Hammond, UK to discuss:
- how she turned her passion for gardening into a business
- the importance and benefit of a solid educational foundation
- how she chooses content for Instagram stories
- growing flowers for wedding couples
- the logistics of growing 100% of the flowers she uses in weddings
- how she and her husband, Neil, manage the business and farming responsibilities
- the layout and function of the Swan Cottage facilities and gardens
- her favorite (and least favorite!) varieties to grow
- why she doesn't worry about trends
- how she ensures she'll have enough flowers blooming for each wedding she accepts
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series
Links mentioned in Episode Forty-Four: * Chelsea Flower Show * RHS Courses * Holly Chapple * Tulipina * Floret * 3 Porch Farm * Love 'n Fresh Flowers
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Mayesh Wholesale
Click here to visit Mayesh Wholesale’s useful website – filled with tools & educational content like the Flower Library treasured by designers. And stay tuned for the reveal of a brand new interactive website coming soon!
Would you like to be the 2020 Mayesh Design Star? Click here for details on entry submission!
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Guest Co-Host: Robby Lazano | Ten23 Photography
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Michelle Hodges, owner of Sprout in Fredericksburg, Texas to discuss:
- her proposal process for wedding flowers
- the Sprout Mood Boards
- her transition into floral design from the teaching profession
- the progression of her business from flower stand to retail shop to private studio
- working with destination brides
- the benefits of freelancing for other designers
- sourcing flowers
- the importance of color in her work
- her interest in photography
- the importance of community within the floral profession
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop
Links mentioned in Episode Forty-Three:
- Amy Osaba Design
- Ariella Chezar
- Florabundance
- Mayesh
- Ellen Westcott | Westcott Weddings
- Melanie McKinley | Mayhar Design
- Adobe Indesign
- Apple Pages
- Round Top Antiques Week
- The Pearl Barn
- Shanna Skidmore
Today’s episode is brought to you by: Botanical Brouhaha Garden Style
Join us for a hands-on workshop and artistic collaboration with Susan McLeary, Phil John Perry, and Holly Chapple on Nov. 4-6, 2019 in Bryan, Texas. Proceeds will help us meet needs and create opportunities for our neighbors in Bryan. Click here for more info. We'd love to see you there!
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BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting with Sylvia Bustamante Gubbins, founder of Madrid Flower School in Madrid, Spain to discuss:
- what led her to flowers while working on a Master's degree in Creative Writing at NYU
- the impact of taking her first class at New York Botanical Garden
- her love of the Putnam and Putnam workshop experience
- moving from journalism to floral design through writing about florists and floral workshops
- the relationships she found in the floral industry vs. the loneliness she'd experienced working alone as a writer
- her first opportunities in freelancing
- her Instagram page Floristas del Mundo
- the decisions she had to make when relocating to Madrid
- the new Madrid Flower School facilities, master classes, and curriculum
- the extensive World Floral Workshops List she created to assist other floral designers
- how owning a flower school will change her life
- the importance of technology in the floral industry
See more of Sylvia’s extensive body of work in the floral industry: Madrid Flower School | Florista del Mundo | World Flower Workshops List
Facebook: Madrid Flower School | Floristas del Mundo group
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Today’s episode is brought to you by: Mayesh Wholesale
Click here to visit Mayesh Wholesale’s useful website – filled with tools & educational content like the Flower Library treasured by designers. And stay tuned for the reveal of a brand new interactive website coming soon!
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BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop
Links mentioned in Episode Forty-Two: * Chapel Designers * The Met * Luxonomist * Victoria Clausen Floral Events * Sinclair & Moore * Ponderosa & Thyme * Hope Flower Farm * Flower School New York * London Flower School * Lucia Milan * If I Made * Sarah Winward * Sarita de Castro * Holly Chapple | Egg & Pillow mechanics by Syndicate Sales * Eco Fresh Bouquet Wrap
We were thrilled to have Francoise Weeks and Jenn Ederer as guests for the second live taping of the BB Podcast during the BB Garden Style Workshop on April 2, 2019. The interview was structured as a Q&A with the audience of attendees at the end of the workshop day. Because the BB community is spread far and wide and couldn’t all be there with us that day, we want to share the conversation with you! Francoise and Jenn shared their heartfelt ideas on:
- efficient use of social media while forming and respecting boundaries
- people who have inspired and supported them during their careers
- overcoming fear
- how Jenn handled staffing as she scaled her business while growing over the years
Special Thanks We’d like to say a very special thank you to our BB Garden Style Workshop partners. We could not have accomplished this workshop and continued to fulfill the BB Garden Style mission without them. We’re incredibly grateful for their support and encouragement!
Save the date…we’re doing it again on November 4-6, 2019 with three more flower friends who are anxious to share their knowledge while supporting the BB Garden Style initiative…Susan McLeary, Phil John Perry, and Holly Chapple! Click here for details on the next workshop!
April 2019 Partners * Market 1023 * Ten23 Photography * Greenleaf Wholesale * Oasis Floral Product * Urban Rubbish * Thistle Floral Design * Moosefeathers Florist * Bramble & Bee * Events to Remember * The Queen Theatre * Downtown Bryan Association * Copy Corner
Live Podcast Production Team:
Joel McGee | Chris Hoover | Landon McGee
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop
Today we’re visiting with Nicole Rossi, owner of Texture Florals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss:
- her unconventional transition from architecture to floral design
- creating a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), the pros and cons, and what eventually led her to change the direction of her business
- the experience that sparked her interest in wedding and event flowers
- the event that ended up being the push she needed to start her own business
- her unique studio environment
- a new project she’s recently launched
- the logistics behind her editorial work
- the administrative changes she’s currently making
- some of the hurdles she’s faced during her quickly-growing flower career
- the supportive flower community in Philadelphia and how they have embraced her
- the importance of designers communicating on pricing for the good of the industry as a whole
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop
Links mentioned in this episode: * Studio Choo * David’s Bridal * BOK Building * Fresh Designs Florist / Design Sanctuary * Sebesta Floral + Event Design * Jennifer Designs Events * Faye + Renee * RAM Floral * Indesign * Done + Dusted * Urban Outfitters * Anthropologie * Free People * G. Page Wholesale Flowers
Today’s episode is brought to you by Real Flower Business Click here for more info on Alison Ellis’s email, proposal, contract, and work flow templatesor visit the Real Flower Business website here.
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Guest Co-Host: Robby Lozano | Ten23 Photography
BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting Lucia Milan, owner of Lucia Milan Flower Studio in São Paulo, Brazil to discuss:
- her transition from fashion stylist to flower business owner
- how Chapel Designers membership impacted her business
- exploring and refining Brazilian style
- her passion for sustainable practices
- how traveling changed her thinking
- how she finds ideal wedding clients
- her desire for her work to mimic nature rather than alter it
- her tropical garden (and the little monkeys who visit it!)
- what inspired her to search for change artistically and how she’s come to feel whole in her work
- how her teenage children affect her work
- her efforts to build a sense of community in her market
- why she sees workshops as an investment in her business
- the importance of accurate pricing
Links mentioned in this episode: * "Contemporary Flowers" from Olivier Dupon (Thames and Hudson, London) * Chapel Designers | Holly Chapple * The Blue Carrot * Ponderosa & Thyme * Flower House Mexico * Tulipina * Ariella Chezar * Simply by Arrangement * Hitomi Gilliam * Alison Ellis | Real Flower Business * Max Gill * Makoto Azuma
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop
Today’s episode is brought to you by Mayesh Click here for more information on The Mayesh Pull - send your sales rep inspiration images, a budget, Pinterest boards, etc. and have your rep pull a custom order for you. It's a great way to find out about new, fun products you might not have known about otherwise!
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BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee
Today we’re visiting Katie Noonan AIFD, owner of Noonan's Wine Country Designs in San Luis Obispo, California to discuss:
- how her parents and their business influenced her love of flowers
- how AIFD Symposium has been instrumental in her passion for and pursuit of floral design
- what she did for a living while building her floral design business
- the 2 greatest challenges she faces when designing outdoor weddings
- the designs she refuses to sell to her clients
- the photoshoot that propelled her business to the next level
- the guidelines she uses when deciding whether or not to get involved in a photoshoot
- where she finds inspiration
- her thoughts on social media
- how she finds work-life balance
- scheduling time away from the business
- the challenges of handling the business side of a floral design business
- why she takes small deposits for weddings
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop
Links mentioned in this episode: * Florabundance Design Days * Pim van den Akker * Chapel Designers * Hitomi Gilliam AIFD * Cal Poly | San Luis Obispo * SAIFD
Today’s episode is brought to you by Real Flower Business Click here for more info on Flower Math: The Florist’s Guide To Pricing & Profitability or visit the Real Flower Business website here.
Today we’re visiting Coral Shortt, owner of Epanouir Flower Studio in Cape Town, South Africa to discuss:
- her introduction to flowers while growing up in a family of flower-loving gardeners
- the correlation between her IT background and the project management end of weddings
- her transition from retail to a wedding specialty
- two important considerations when opening a retail shop
- striking a work/life balance with children in the equation
- why she loves freelancing
- the importance of pricing correctly
- how she manages her weddings using systems she created
- the importance of identifying and writing down processes before attempting to incorporate them into a new software
- four ways she's managed to learn floral design techniques over the years
- adjusting with trends
- the mechanics tools that revolutionized her work
- tips for working with cold glue
- the importance of relationships with fellow vendors
- the things she'd like to see change in the floral industry
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop
Links mentioned in this episode: * Alison Ellis | Real Flower Business * What Wedding Flowers Cost South Africa * Chapel Designers * Sue McLeary * Holly Chapple * Francoise Weeks * Gregor Lersch * Constance Spry * Per Benjamin * Daniel Ost * Oasis Floral Adhesive (cold glue)
Today’s episode is brought to you by Mayesh Click here for more information on The Mayesh Pull - send your sales rep inspiration images, a budget, Pinterest boards, etc. and have your rep pull a custom order for you. It's a great way to find out about new, fun products you might not have known about otherwise!
Today we’re visiting Jennifer Haf, owner of BLOOM in Charlevoix, Michigan to discuss:
- how her garden grown flowers paved the way to a thriving wedding + retail flower business
- how her business has grown and changed alongside her family life over the years
- running a flower business in a seasonal location
- thinking through an exit strategy for retirement
- how she curates her retail shop
- rebranding
- sourcing from makers for retail
- her interest in product development
- her educational journey in floral design
- her Open Book program of one-on-one learning opportunities
- how she tackles the engineering behind the large installations she offers her clients
- refining the 'less is more' minimalist aesthetic
- enjoying leisure time to balance work life
- her cutting garden and how she utilizes local farm
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop
Links mentioned in this episode: * NY Gift Market * Flower School NY * Ariella Chezar * Holly Chapple * Chapel Designers * Studio Mondine * Flower House Mexico
Today’s episode is brought to you by Real Flower Business Click here for more info on Alison Ellis’s email, proposal, contract, and work flow templatesor visit the Real Flower Business website here.
Today we’re visiting Bryan Watson, co-owner of Myrtie Blue with his partner Gene in Fort Walton Beach, Florida to discuss:
- the story behind their business name
- the challenges of producing beach weddings
- the secret behind his successful business partnership with his husband, Gene
- Myrtie Blue's extensive rental inventory
- how he organizes and retains the staff responsible for Myrtie Blue's event production
- the piece of the puzzle he's yet to solve related to staff duties
- the ins and outs of his production process with his team
- the unique way he handles minimum spends for his clients
- his desire to source more locally grown flowers in the Florida Panhandle
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop
Links mentioned in this episode: * Ariella Chezar * Watercolor * Seaside * Carillon Beach * Alys Beach * Rosemary Beach
Today’s episode is brought to you by Mayesh Click here for dates and locations of 2019 Mayesh Design Star workshops with Atlanta-based floral designer Shean Strong. And don’t miss Shean’s Tutorial Videos this year! Watch his Indoor Meadow Tutorial here.
Today we’re visiting with Semia Dunne of Flowers by Semia and The Floral Reserve in Providence, Rhode Island to discuss:
- the long winding educational path that eventually led her back to her love of flowers
- how she's grown a successful wedding and event floral design company over the last 19 years
- the birth, successes and challenges of her passion project, The Floral Reserve
- the unique location that houses her multi-faceted business
- the various ways she utilizes her studio space
- running a wedding floral studio in a popular destination wedding location
- the importance and longevity of her talented team
- how she fosters creative freedom with her team
- the ease with which she's learned to work with destination brides long-distance
- her motivation for founding The Floral Reserve and the obstacles she's had to overcome
- her vision and execution of the physical space which houses The Floral Reserve
Links mentioned in this episode: * Providence Steel & Iron Company * Francoise Weeks * Fairest Flowers Farm
Today’s episode is brought to you by Francoise Weeks
Today we’re visiting Ashley Fox, owner of Ashley Fox Designs in Woodbury, Minnesota to discuss:
- how she sets and meets goals
- knowing her boundaries and doing business with integrity
- how she edits the body of work she shares with the word to attract her ideal clients
- the value of sketching ideas as they come to her and putting them away for future clients
- saying 'NO'
- how her craving for visual stimulation led her to a creative career
- her desire to share with her community and colleagues
- the fears she had about moving her business and the surprising outcome
- how her garden mentor influenced her use of texture and color
- her experience with styling for catalogs
- how her installation work evolved into larger and more difficult designs
Links mentioned in this episode: * Thymes Bed & Bath * Saipua * Nicolette Camille * Flower Wild * Aqueduto * Emily Avenson | Fleuropean
Today’s episode is brought to you by Mayesh
Today we’re visiting Teresa Fung, owner of Mimosa in Boston, Massachusetts to discuss:
- how she pulled from her musical background, as well as her educational background in International Relations & Education Policy to create a unique business suited to her interests and personal goals
- the job fair that led to serious conversations about the direction of her career
- how she developed a relationship with a non profit organization through persistence
- the internship program she developed for girls at risk
- the business advice she received which led her to pursue the social interests she felt called to address through her business, Mimosa
- her tips for getting involved and offering your services to a non profit organization
Links mentioned in this episode: * The Gift Program * My Life My Choice * Seaport Hotel * Cafe Madeleine * Rosie’s Place * Jane Packer * Paula Pryke * Michael George
Today’s episode is brought to you by Real Flower Business
Today we’re sitting down with Phil John Perry from Manchester, United Kingdom to discuss:
- his diverse background in visual merchandising, acting, writing, concept creation, and floral design
- the slow build to his passion for flowers
- his love of visual storytelling
- his thoughts on employment, freelancing, and fair compensation
- his advice on retaining artists as employees
- his thoughts on crediting the work of designers
- his passion for writing
- how he's found the courage to write from a place of honesty and transparency and the impact his writing has had on those who read it
- the story behind the headdresses he designed for Beyonce's Vogue cover story
- his dreams for the future
Links mentioned in this episode: * Rebel Rebel * British Vogue * Rodarte Fashion Show * Floratics blog post * Hamish Powell * Lucia Milan * Storm & Grace Flowers * Sarah Khalfaoui (Psychic Palms) * Green Earth Flowers * New Covet Garden Market * Phil’s blog post: Home is Where the…New Start Is
Today’s episode is brought to you by Mayesh
We were thrilled to have Hitomi and Holly as guests for the first-ever live taping of the BB Podcast during the BB Garden Style Workshop on November 5, 2018. The interview was actually a Q&A with the audience of attendees at the end of the workshop day. We wanted to share the conversation with you because these two designers have so many valuable lessons to share about flowers and life.
Special Thanks We’d like to say a very special thank you to our BB Garden Style Workshop partners. We could not have accomplished this workshop and continued to fulfill the BB Garden Style mission without them. We’re incredibly grateful for their support and encouragement! Save the date…we’re doing it again on April 2, 2019 with two more flower friends who are anxious to share their knowledge while supporting the BB Garden Style initiative…Francoise Weeks and Jennifer Ederer! Details coming soon!
November 2018 Partners Market 1023
Ten23 Photography
Greenleaf Wholesale
Syndicate Sales
Urban Rubbish
Tricia Barksdale Designs
Petals, Ink
Curated Blooms
Basecamp Farms
Woodbine Flower Farm
The Queen Theatre
Downtown Bryan Association
Love & Lace Bridal Boutique
Details Party Rental
Grub Burger Bar
Copy Corner
Today we’re sitting down with Cara Fitch, owner of Trille Floral in Sydney, Australia to discuss:
- how she found the courage to make a career change to floral design
- how freelancing helped her build a community of flower friends
- why she decided to start her own business
- how her clients find out about her business
- her production schedule for weddings
- her buying strategy at the Sydney Flower Market
- her ideal client
- the advantages of working for others
- her thoughts on blogging
Links mentioned in this episode: * Sweet Woodruff * Sydney Flower Market * Ashley Beyer | Tinge * UNUM * Holly Carlisle | Rosegolden
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Conner Nesbit, owner of Leuca Floral in Logan, Utah to discuss:
- the moment of clarity when he knew it was time to start his own business
- the origin of the name Leuca Floral
- how he got the word out about his new business
- the role his surroundings play in his work
- why he finds music essential during his design time
- his thoughts on freelancing for other designers
- how to give each client a little something extra special
- how he makes a change when he finds himself in an uninspired place in his career
- how he’s landed editorial work
Links mentioned in Episode Thirty: * Kiana Underwood | Tulipina * Clair de Lune * Anthropologie * BHLDN
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Janelle Wylie, owner of Lavenders Flowers & Tono + Co in Santa Ana, California, to discuss:
- how she transitioned her career path from speech pathology to floral design
- the impact Larry from Craig’s List has had on her career
- why and how she rebranded Lavenders Flowers
- how her degree in studio art taught her resourcefulness and helped her build a network of artistic colleagues
- her Bohemian lifestyle while going to college and running a business during the early years
- her unusual college graduation day
- why she likens the floral industry to an accordion
- her uniquely qualified team
- the importance of having a business-minded team member to counterbalance the artistic approach of a designer
- how she keeps her team inspired
- how she learned to dye silk
- how she keeps up with inventory
- her interest in the psychology of color
Links mentioned in this episode: * Utterly Engaged * Jacquard Dye – Michaels * Shopify * Kate Holt | Flower Wild * Accademia Di Belle Arti | Florence, Italy
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Kelly Mendenhall, owner of 3 Leaf Floral in Grand Junction, Colorado, to discuss:
- how workshop attendance affected the trajectory of her business
- how her motherhood plays into the decisions she makes about her business
- why she decided not to continue offering restaurant accounts and subscriptions
- how she's built a mentoring service to incorporate her counseling background
- the importance of local growers to her business
- why she recommends freelancing for business owners
- how she problem solves issues related to living in a small town without a wholesaler
- the challenge and adventure of working in the mountains
- the importance of posting images of yourself for colleagues and clients to be able to connect with you
- the importance of finding a great sales rep
- the wedding professional who helped her get her foot in the door in her local market
Links mentioned in Episode Twenty-Eight: * Floribundance Design Days * Holly Chapple * Amy Osaba * Francoise Weeks * Sarah Winward * Amy Merrick * Sinclair & Moore workshop * Rose Story Farm * Dunton Hot Springs * Blue Door Farm * Country Elegance Florist * Denver Wholesale Florist
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Robbie Honey, an inspiring floral designer, writer, and educator to discuss:
- how he grew to love the botanical world during his youth in Zimbabwe
- the various routes he pursued to acquire the education he needed to fulfill his curiosities
- how he found his place as a sought after florist in London’s high-end fashion scene
- what led to the creation of his recent book, The Accidental Botanist
- his love of family and the important place flowers and faith have played in recent years
- his thoughts on the future
Links mentioned in this episode: * Ming Veevers Carter * Pulbrook & Gould * Hermes * Chelsea Flower Show * Dior * John Galliano * Armani * Mary Katrantzou * Wall Street Journal * The Telegraph * Holly Chapple * The Accidental Botanist * Shane Connolly * Ariella Chezar * Steel Magnolias * Ikea * Constance Spry * Tim Walker Photography
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Suzie Kostick, a seasoned floral industry educator, freelancer, and consultant living in Rio Rancho, New Mexico to discuss:
- her multi-faceted career in the floral industry over the last 40 years
- her experience as creative director turned owner of Flora Magazine
- the importance of her years in retail flower shops to her overall career path
- her experience as shop owner, convention center special events coordinator, freelancer, grocery store chain production manager, and local college instructor
- the transition from her high school floral design classes as a teen to the floral industry
- her involvement in AIFD, her position as AIFD’s 2018 Symposium Coordinator, and her knowledge of the AIFD organization
- FAQs about the AIFD testing process
Links mentioned in this episode: * American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) * Flora magazine * Professional Floral Communicators International (PFCI) * Society of American Florists (SAF) * Michigan Floral Association (MFA) * Stacy Carlton AIFD | The Flora Culturist * Smithers-Oasis * Certified Floral Designer (CFD) * Texas Master Florist (TMF) * Holly Chapple | Holly Heider Chapple Flowers * Susan McLeary | Passionflower * Katie Davis | Ponderosa & Thyme * Longwood Gardens * AIFD Symposium 2019 | Las Vegas
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Eatherley Schultz, owner of Floressence in Brevard, North Carolina to discuss:
- why she’s currently working with a business coach
- the challenges of transporting flowers in the mountains
- how weather affects her business
- how her experiences in flower growing and garden design have uniquely affected her floral design business
- how she has managed to build a team who stays
- some lessons she’s learned about dealing with clients
- where she finds educational opportunities for her staff
- a few of the challenges she’s overcome along the way
Links mentioned in this episode: * Chapel Designers * Gaia Herbs * Hitomi Gilliam | Tomas De Bruyne | EMC (European Master Certification) * Holly Chapple (BB Podcast Episode 8) * Laura Iarocci | Faith Flowers * Engage Summits * AmericasMart Atlanta * Charleston Wedding Week * Old Edwards Inn and Spa
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Meg Connelly, owner of Meg Catherine Flowers in Indianapolis, Indiana to discuss:
- how her music & art background led her to floral design
- the benefits of working in a flower shop prior to opening her own business
- how she managed to start a successful business with her preschooler by her side
- the backup plan she’s put in place in case of emergency
- how & when she decided to set a minimum spend for her weddings
- the history behind her home studio
- her favorite flower
- how her clients find her
Links mentioned in this episode: * Indy Star article: A day in the life of floral designer Megan Connelly * Indianapolis City Market * Stephanie Bassos Photography * Michael Gaffney | American School of Flower Design * Autumn Keller | Isibeal Studio * Dutch Masters’ Class | Little Flower School of NY * Kelly Marie Thompson | Fleur (hear her BB Podcast interview here) * Sarah Winward * Brittany Asch | BRRCH * Berklee College of Music * Dutch Flower Line * Mayesh Floral Wholesale * The Cordelle | Nashville, Tennessee
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Max Gill, owner of Max Gill Design in Berkley, California to discuss:
- how he “stumbled into flowers”
- the parallels between his love of theater and floral design
- how gardening influences his floral design composition
- what he grows in his personal Berkeley garden
- the advantages of sourcing local nurseries
- his work at Chez Panisse
- the responsibility he feels to his flower vendors
- how his talented production manager helps keep his business thriving
- the challenges of being artistic and living up to public perception
- overcoming artistic fears
- the joy he finds in sustaining relationships with clients
- the importance of self-care in the floral industry
Links mentioned in this episode: * Ariella Chezar * Chez Panisse * Alice Waters / The Edible Schoolyard * San Francisco Flower Mart * Dropbox
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Morgan Anderson, owner of The Flori.Culture in Scottsdale, Arizona to discuss:
- her research regarding the concept of floral design as an art form using flowers as medium
- how managing flower studios sparked her pursuit of studying floral design as an art form
- why some floral studio owners prefer hiring individuals with art backgrounds
- the myriad of opportunities for careers within the floral industry
Links mentioned in this episode: * Texas A&M University – Horticulture | Benz School of Floral Design * Arizona State University | School of Art Summer Camps | Adult Master Learner Workshops * Florists’ Review Design School Book (coming soon) * Kansas State University – Horticulture * Floral Art LA * Isari Flower Studio * Slow Flowers * Accent Decor * Torre & Tagus * goop | Gweneth Paltrow * Merveille Events * Pollen Floral Art * Mayesh Wholesale
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Kelly Marie Thompson, owner of Fleur in Chicago, Illinois to discuss:
- her start as a shop owner 16 years ago as a 22 year old recent college graduate
- the wide range of merchandise offered at her flower/lifestyle boutique
- the #1 seller at Fleur
- how she balances retail and wedding work
- how she’s successfully grown her staff over the years
- what she looks for in a new team member
- the pride she takes in owning a neighborhood boutique
- the logistics of running two separate locations
- what she believes to be two very important things to consider when owning a business
- her hopes for the future of Fleur
Links mentioned in this episode: * Logan Square * NY NOW Gift Market * Sage Wedding Pros * Chapel Designers
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Heather Siu, owner of Myrtle et Olive and Lark & Ives in Vancouver, British Columbia to discuss:
- the importance of consistency in branding
- why she decided to rebrand her business
- how she successfully transitioned from a rental company to a full experience floral & event design company
- why she chose to study under individual floral artists rather than attending a floral design program in a traditional college setting
- the part-time seasonal staff she refers to as her “floral fairies”
- her insights into planning and executing floral and event design for destination weddings
- her #1 tool for connecting with wedding planners and fostering relationships that bring opportunities for collaboration her way
- the amazing gift her mother gave her as a child and how it impacted her career path
Links mentioned in this episode: * Francoise Weeks * Hilary Chan Photography * Tomas De Bruyne * Karen Tran * Flag Is Up Farm | Santa Barbara, California * Jill La Fleur * Daniel Tran * Written Word Calligraphy * Steve Jobs biography * Gongbi Chinese Painting * JF Floral Couture * Eat Pray Love
Today’s episode is brought to you by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Emily Avenson, owner of Fleuropean in Aubel, Belgium to discuss:
- what inspired her to begin growing flowers
- some of her favorite varieties to grow (hint: Creme Brulee Phlox and Sahara Rudbeckia made the list)
- how she’s managed to combine the vegetable garden culture of Europe with her flower garden blooms
- making plant-dyed ribbon
- the Slow Flowers movement & culture in Belgium
- why she started The Lonely Bouquet
Links mentioned in this episode: * Santa Cruz Dahlias * Madison Hartley | Hart Floral * Susanne Hatwood | The Blue Carrot * Anna Doshina Photography
Today we’re sitting down with Jennie Love, owner of Love ‘n Fresh Flowers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss:
- the process of finding land to farm
- custom growing for clients
- her Summer Solstice Party
- how she fine tuned her business to work for her
- the logistics of her CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
- the challenge of pricing locally grown flowers for profitability
- her biggest marketing tool
- the steps she took to elevate her brand and educate her clients about the value of locally grown flowers
- how she found work/life balance
Links mentioned in this episode: * Longwood Gardens * Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart * Upper Roxborough * Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) * Weavers Way
Today we’re sitting down with Christin Geall, owner of Cultivated in Victoria, Canada to discuss:
- her years as a homesteader growing/selling flowers and salad
- her multi-faceted business model
- her thoughts on flower photography
- the workshop that sparked her desire to pursue floral design and growing again
- how a color theory class and an art history class enriched her design aesthetic
- the challenges of working in a remote location
- how she got the opportunity to host a workshop in Scotland
- her floral fantasy for the future
Links mentioned in this episode: * Gardenista * Simply by Arrangement * Hedgerow Florist * Cambo Estate * Max Gill Design * Jamali Garden * Cafe au Lait dahlia * Ariella Chezar * Kiana Underwood | Tulipina * Susan McLeary | Passionflower * Putnam & Putnam * Erin Benzakein | Floret Flower Farm * Kew Gardens * MailChimp
Today we’re sitting down with Nick Priestly, owner of Mood Flowers and Flower School Glasgow, as well as co-owner of MUD Urban Flowers in Glasgow, Scotland to discuss:
- how he ended up in the flower business (hint: it wasn’t exactly a life-long dream!)
- what led him to co-host the Chapel Designer European Conferences with Holly Chapple
- how his business background keeps his flower businesses profitable
- the many facets of his flower business portfolio
- the story behind the MUD “Little Bouquet”
- why he said at one point, “I’m not going to be a florist.”
- how he finds time to relax and what helps take his mind off his fast-paced businesses
- how he handles competition
- why he believes his most experienced staff member has remained at Mood Flowers
- how he gets to freelance for his own company
- how he was able to decrease the number of staff members while still making a good living
- how he runs three businesses from an 1800 sq. ft. studio space
- how a messy studio sometimes works in his favor with potential clients
- MUD Urban Flowers franchise opportunities on the horizon
Links mentioned in this episode: * Chapel Designers (CD London conferences) * Holly Chapple (Holly Chapple Flowers / The Chapel Designers) * Susan McLeary (Passionflower) * Oscar & Janie of Flowers by Janie * David Beahm (David Beahm Experiences) * Sylvia Abraham (Bella Botanica) * Botanical Brouhaha Expert Panel * 6-Day Career Course at Mood Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Maggie & Mick Bailey, owners of Bramble & Bee in Tomball, Texas to discuss:
- how they structured Bramble & Bee to work with their personalities
- why they MUST travel
- how their personalities compliment one another in running the business day-to-day
- Mick’s unique background and what it allows him to bring to the table
- Mick’s biggest fear for Maggie and what he’s doing to circumvent it
- how they became ‘accidental entrepreneurs’
- their journey into retail
- how referrals helped build Bramble & Bee and how they’re returning the favor
- what Mick loves about the industry
- what Maggie learned about working from home
Links mentioned in this episode: * Texas State Florists’ Association * Jody Strom of The Moss & Rose * Maria Maxit of Maxit Flower Design * Mayesh Design Star Workshop Tour * Flower School New York * Areiella Chezar * Coolbot * PODS storage * Sweet Root Village * Tulipina
Today we’re sitting down with Marco Groot, CEO of Hilverda De Boer USA to discuss:
- his childhood growing up in Holland and the role flower farming played in his formative years
- why he has a life-sized cutout image of Elvis in his office
- why he decided to go the ‘trade’ route rather than the ‘farming’ route in the floral industry
- how one summer changed the course of his life and landed him in the US
- how the Dutch Flower Auction works
- why it’s sometimes difficult for family farms to change hands from one generation to another
- the Hilverda De Boer Webshop and mobile app (Just go to the app store on your device and search for ‘Hilverda De Boer B.V.’)
- how Hilverda De Boer can aid designers in sourcing blooms for destination weddings
- logistical details of flower deliveries
- how he and his partners continue to grow the company with their clients in mind
- what he looks for in a salesperson when hiring
Today we’re sitting down with Laetitia Mayor, owner of Florésie based in Blanzy-lès-Fismes in Northern France to discuss:
- her path from being an engineer in Switzerland to being a floral designer in a quaint french municipality of 100+ inhabitants
- how blogging helped get her business off the ground
- the important role workshops have played in her growth as a designer
- the advantages her engineering background brings to her wedding/event business
- her main marketing tool
- Instagram strategies that have worked for her and helped build her business significantly in just 5 years
- the value she finds in creating editorial work
- how her personal garden functions as a resource for her floral design business
- why she chose to open a private studio rather than a flower shop
- the need that led her to begin teaching professionals
- how she found a niche designing flowers for destination weddings
- the story behind her creative retreats in the French countryside
Links mentioned in this episode: * Mandy Scott * Sinclair & Moore * MacGyver * Alicia Rico – Bows and Arrows * The Secret Garden Creative Retreat * Chikae O.H. * Sarah Winward – Honey of a Thousand Flowers * Saipua * Ariella Chezar * Quite Possibly The Best Flower Story Ever – seriously, you’ve got to read this story!
Today we’re sitting down with Fiona Pickles, owner of Firenza Floral Design based in West Yorkshire in the UK to discuss:
- her unique talent related to event delivery
- how she utilizes interns and freelancers in her business
- the subject of some of her most popular Instagram posts
- her proficient use of social media and why she appreciates it
- how she grew her business into a business model that feeds her soul
- her experience hosting past workshops and her plans for another Large Installation Workshop in 2018
Links mentioned in this episode: * The Willow Garden * Jane Packer Flower School * Fiona Humberstone – The Brand Stylist * Flowerona – Social Media for Florists Workshop * Sara Tasker – Me and Orla * Focus and Thrive Workshop with Fiona Humberstone & Elizabeth Cairns * Castle Howard * Chatsworth Garden
Today we’re sitting down with Maxine Owens, owner of Max Owens Design in Dallas, Texas to discuss:
- how her background in retail and science prepared her for opening a flower business
- her thoughts on hiring, managing, encouraging, and keeping freelancers
- how she structured her business to take summers off and refuel
- her love of people and the joy she finds in teaching others
- her collaboration with Type A Society for Claire Pettibone’s Four Seasons Campaignprior to NY Fashion Week
- where she finds inspiration
Links mentioned in this episode: * Claire Pettibone * Type A Society * Slow Flower Movement * Chapel Designers * Barneys * Anthropologie * Crate & Barrel * Academy Mansion * Sex and the City * Amy Osaba Design * Sarah Winward * Ariella Chezar * Alphonse Mucha
Today we’re sitting down with Françoise Weeks, owner of Françoise Weeks European Floral Design in Portland, Oregon to discuss:
- her transition from substitute teacher and medical lab technician to floral couture artist
- her wardrobe preferences (smile)
- how she defines texture in floral design
- the 45 year old childhood memory that ignited her journey into woodland floral designs
- her segue into teaching floral design and taking her workshops on the road
- what she wishes more designers had the courage to do
- her new tutorial video series
Links mentioned in this episode: * Paula Pryke * Timberline Lodge * Oasis European Bouquet Holder * Lori Frystak’s garage-to-studio conversion at Blossom Alliance (before and after pictures here) * Jennifer Haf of BLOOM * Victoria Clausen * Flou(‑e)r Specialty Floral Events
oday we’re sitting down with Nancy Teasley, owner of Oak & the Owl and Ella Rose Farmin Fallbrook, California to discuss:
- what (and who) compelled her to jump into flower farming
- the challenges of owning a rose farm
- the payoff of running a floral design studio
- her concern for the future of the floral industry
- her thoughts on bare root vs. own root roses
- the story behind naming Oak and the Owl
Links mentioned in this episode: * Heirloom Roses (Oregon) * Canyon Country Store * The Blue Carrot * Garden Web * Gopher baskets
Today we’re sitting down with Holly Chapple, owner of Holly Chapple Flowers in Leesburg, Virginia to discuss:
- the man who taught her to design and modeled for her a strong work ethic
- her thoughts on transitioning with age while staying relevant in the industry she loves
- her blog, The Full Bouquet, which provides a peek into the day-to-day operation of her business and serves as a journal for her thoughts pertaining to the floral industry
- the crucial role Evan (@marriedtoflowers) Chapple plays in the success of the HCF brand
- why she would like to see the floral industry agree on some industry standards and what she plans to do to facilitate the process
- the people who inspire her and push her to continue learning and evolving
- the impact the ‘Hollyish’ chicken wire egg has had on her business and the feedback she’s received from other designers
Links mentioned in this episode: * Gregor Lersch * Hitomi Gilliam * AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) | a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art of floral design as a professional career through educational programs and symposiums. * ADAC | a one-stop shopping resource for interior designers, architects, specifiers, and builders * Chapel Designers | an international collective of wedding and event floral designers * Beatrix Ost * David Austin roses * Erin Benzakein | Floret Flower Farm * Chapel Designers Flora & Fauna Fashion Show
Today we’re sitting down with Denise Fasanello, owner of Denise Fasanello Flowers in Brooklyn, NY to discuss:
- The challenges of creating flowers for events in NYC
- Her ‘winter life’ as a ceramicist
- Finding a work life/family life balance
- Her dreams for the future
- How her art school background plays into her floral design aesthetic
- A peek into her consultation and contract processes
- The priceless business advice she received from a NYC cab driver on the way home from a job
Links mentioned in this episode: * The Ingredients Series | Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 * Jane Packer * Florali * Emily Thompson Flowers * Lewis Miller Design * Lisa Wad | Flower House * J Rose Wholesale Flowers * Metropolitan Museum of Art
Today we’re sitting down with Jennifer Ederer of Modern Day Events & Floral in Grand Rapids, Michigan to discuss:
- the unconventional career path that ultimately led her to open a floral and event design business
- how she gained an insider’s perspective of the event industry
- what her Modern Day team means to her and how she fosters an atmosphere of grace and loyalty among team members
- why her clients tend to say, “I thought we were here to talk about flowers!’’
- how she gained the confidence and expertise to produce large scale luxury events
Personal informational tools Jenn loves: * Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown * The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown: She highly recommends the audible version of this book. Brene provides the narrative which is fabulous! Jenn also suggests taking 20 minutes to listen to Brene’s TedX talk on the Power of Vulnerability. * EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey (practical business tools on how to create a team of entreleaders vs. employees) They offer a master series on-line group for a nominal fee where you can download videos on everything from hiring and firing to delegation, etc. All around good stuff!
Systems Jenn uses everyday for Modern Day: * Ularas for contract and recipe writing * Basecamp for project and communication management with clients and staff: $99.00 per month * PartyCad for floor plans along with Sketch Up: one time licensing fee. Jenn is currently exploring another system. * Apple TV for design meetings: $200 to purchase and worth every penny! * Olioboard for two dimensional design documents: $8.99 per month * Quickbooks online
Today we’re sitting down with Gretchen O’Neil (pictured above right) of Petals, ink. & Grassdale Flower Farm to discuss:
- how she finally recognized the constant pull of the floral industry on her career path choices
- a pivotal moment which left her inspired to grow flowers in the challenging Texas climate
- the heartfelt letter that won the hearts of the previous owners of her flower farm, Grassdale
- her newest project: Austin’s first 100% locally grown mobile flower truck
- and a special interview with her daughter, Aiwyn
Links mentioned in this episode: * Anthropologie ‘Blazing Poppies’ wallpaper * Kickstarter: the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects * Floret workshop with Erin Benzakein & Amy Merrick * Portland Design Institute * Arnosky Family Farms – Texas Specialty Cut Flowers
Today we’re sitting down with Kiana Underwood (pictured above left) of Tulipina to discuss:
- how her childhood in Iran laid the foundation for her love of flowers
- the importance of travel as inspiration
- the ‘Nathan Underwood factor’ in Tulipina’s success
- finding inspiration in unique places
- building an international team of freelancers for destination weddings
- her exciting upcoming projects
Links mentioned in Episode Four:
- G Page Wholesale Flowers
- Corbin Gurkin Photography
- SF Brannan St Wholesale
- Oheka Castle
Today we’re sitting down with Chloe Milligan (pictured above right) of MUD Urban Flowersto discuss:
- The story behind the creation of MUD with her business partner Nick Priestly (owner of Mood Flowers and Flower School Glasgow)
- How MUD went from start-up to thriving business in just a few short months
- Her social media savvy-ness
- The franchise plans for MUD
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Urban Outfitters
- Smith & Munson | Growers of British Tulips & Lilies
Today we’re sitting down with Susan McLeary (pictured above left) of Passionflower to discuss:
- her expertise in creating living jewelry
- how her work began to get published
- the motivation behind her love of learning
- the story behind her award-winning piece seen on the cover of Fusion Magazine
- her slightly unconventional method of finding models for her photo shoots
- the willow armature she mentioned in a BB Expert Panel discussion
- the success of her PassionflowerMade Etsy shop
Links mentioned in this episode:
- EMC | European Master Certification
- You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
- Chapel Designers
- Fusion Flowers magazine
- Francoise Weeks | European Floral Design
Meet co-hosts Amy McGee of Botanical Brouhaha and Maria Maxit of Maxit Flower Design and hear their flower journey stories and how it led to the creation of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast
How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: * Blog * Instagram * Facebook * BB Garden Style Workshop Series * BB Garden Style Shop