The Floral Hustle: Recent Episodes

Jeni Becht

Are you ready to grow your floral business not only in profits but in creativity and fulfillment? Listen as Jeni Becht a wedding and event designer of over 25 years shares all the juicy details of growing and evolving her floral business into one of passion, purpose, and financial freedom. She shares all the secrets with actionable tips and strategies so you can wake up inspired and on a path to profitability with all while feeling lighter and more aligned in work and life.

Your inner narrative of how you talk to or about yourself can impact your life, business and general self esteem. In this episode we talk about ways to shift your inner voice into one that supports your goals and becoming the next level version of yourself.

One thing to pay attention to even when talking to friends or family is “I am” statements. I am not good at a social media, making bouquets or a million other different things is not going to help you accomplish actually become better at that thing. Shift that statement to what you are going to do about it to help get unstuck in the pattern of not believing in yourself.

On this week's episode, we're going to talk about time allocation. When you spend time on your business, are you are spending it on the right things?

Lots of florists spend time on activities that are not revenue producing. Check in - are the activities that you're doing leading you down a path of making more money, not just keeping you busy?

Sometimes done is better than perfect. It's easy to get caught up in the details of how things look, how things look on Instagram, curating your feed, about curating your website and what actually is happening is the perfectionism is holding you back from moving your business forward.
meeting with the bride is a potential or meeting with a couple as a potential revenue producing, um, interacting.

This episode will really help you find clarity on where you are spending your time, and how to shift it to where you actually want to spend your time.

Rejection can be hard but you can let it sink you or set you free. I had a recent bride send me an odd reply to checking in after my estimate stating she met with the families and they compared all this information from a ton of flowers and have decided to keep investigating other floral options.

My proposal had inspo photos she provided mainly so many things did not make sense. After it I thought more about the interaction and how many things in our conversation were not necessarily aligned with my ideal client. But then I thought- how could this situation been more efficient or gone smoother even with the same result.

My largest conclusion was the time I wish I would have spent less time and before revising the proposal I should have asked with the overall proposal as long as I changed the requested colors would the pricing and overall options requested work for their wedding. Then offered the revision if everything looked like it was closer to booking but I did not dwell in the rejection. I know I will attract a better wedding and more aligned couple. That switch in my thinking helps me process the rejection to learn from that situation instead of letting it backpedal my business in a negative direction.

Rejection can be a learning situation and you do not need to dwell in it as failure but an opportunity to attract a better wedding in the future.

Many people thrive in having some organization or structure around their week, and if you do the right prep work, no matter if you are planning your wedding week, corporate events, or if you have everyday deliveries taking time to prep your week means you will be much more productive.

You're going to feel so much lighter in your business which is so important! You are going to deliver better work because you are not rushing and you are prepared.

In this episode I share what I do personally to prep for my week! If you ever have any ideas or you do prep for your week, I would love for you to send me a DM on Instagram. I would love to understand what you guys are struggling with.

Thank you for listening, have a flower filled week!

Many florists have a vast network of friends, family and businesses we interact with but never share what we do. We are worried we will come off as salsey or not being our authentic self.

Your network often needs your services or knows someone who does. With your mentioning your business you could be helping connect that person and fill a need they have. Instead of them searching google and hoping it goes well you can fill their need as someone who already has the foundation to that relationship.

Ways to subtly network-

Post specials or do intro/reminder posts on your personal social media. Share informative posts from your business page to your personal.

Share any left over flower specials to help clear inventory and get exposiue to someone you might not have before.

The number one way to grow your business is simpler than you think!

Your network of wedding and event professionals is your biggest opportunity out there to grow your network.

Ways to network organically and without a ton of pressure.

1 When you follow and a personal follows you back or you follow and they follow back send a DM intro. Thanks for following me, my name is Jeni and I love (something from their page), and say you would love to learn more about your business and would love to have a virtual coffee date. Then try and build a relationship from there.

2 Talk to vendors and try and business relationships during events.

3 Comment on vendor friends stories and posts. You gain visibility and comments matter to vendors as social media is a ton of work.

4 Make flower friends. Talk to flower friends at the wholesaler, out at networking events and so on. You both have a common interest and common problems so support each other.

5 Follow referral connections though with connecting the customer and the vendor friend. I verify they are available that date and interested and then try and connect them via email or text message direct.

6 Networking events- you can meet others flower and vendor friends all looking to connect and network (the main reason we go).

In this weeks episode we are talking about something a little vulnerable and personal. About a year ago I wasn’t feeling well and after doctors visits and coming up empty handed I started to see a functional medicine doctor. After some initial appointments we pursed doing a environmental test that tests for toxins in your body due to exposure in the environment around you. After an awkward trip to mail urine via Fed Ex overnight I got my test results shortly afterwards that I had heavy levels of pesticides, herbicides, mold and a gasoline component that is found in floral foam. After discussing with the doctor options to help remedy the situation we started on a plan to detox the chemicals out of my body. We started with a drinkable glutathione supplement, sauna blanket and starting to do activities that would make me sweat it out. After an initial oral detox we started a graduating weekly IV of glutathione.

At this point I have gotten the chemicals mainly detoxed from my body and have started to be on a path of becoming the healthier version of myself. I have purchased an air filter to help clean the air in the studio, are changing the air filters in the furnace more frequently and wearing a mask with foam.

Thank you for listening to a part of my floral journey.

In this episode, Jen talks about aligning your business goals with your aspirations. She shares personal experiences and stories that emphasize the significance of embodying the future version of yourself today. She encourages listeners to define their business objectives, set clear boundaries, and make key decisions that match their vision. For those dealing with difficult clients or situations, she underlines the importance of communication and setting clear boundaries. Moreover, she assures listeners that it is okay to evolve and change and that running a business in alignment creates a better work-life balance. Finally, she offers coaching services to provide further support in business growth.

On this week's minisode, we're talking about how you can create 10 different pieces of work for under 75 to build your portfolio get the work out that you want to be associated with your brand - and actually just have some fun creating!

In this episode of the Floral Hustle Podcast, Jen shares her advice on streamlining your Canva proposals to convert more sales. She explains the importance of visuals in your proposals, and how curating and organizing images can optimize your process.

Topics covered include how to use folders in Canva, pre-made templates for popular rental items, and using color swatches to nail your clients' color schemes.

Jen also addresses the concern of clients shopping around with your proposals, and why she believes in providing value before receiving a deposit.

Whether you’re a florist or small business owner, this episode has the valuable insights you need to optimize your proposals and boost your sales.

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In this episode of the Floral Hustle Podcast, host Jen discusses her favorite rental items, including key pieces that she believes will be trending for the next generation. She shares nuggets of wisdom on how to streamline the proposal and sales process, featuring items such as bud vases, taper candle holders, and pin frogs. She talks about the importance of curating cohesive rental collections, pairing items together for a set price, and achieving a streamlined inventory. She also shares a rental sourcing guide which listeners can find at thefloralhustle.com/rental. Whether it's sharing her go-to options for different centerpiece designs or her favorite low price point ceremony features, Jen covers all bases on the importance of rental items in a successful floral business.

Download my top rental items guide- thefloralhustle.com/rental

Being a mom and a business owner can be tough. In this episode we talk about ways to make you a more aligned business owner and living the motherhood you envisioned. Having both parts of your life running in synergy is something most Moms don't deserve it. You deserve it! Listen how to live with purpose and have the business and motherhood of your dreams.

In this episode of the Floral Hustle Podcast, Jen speaks about the often challenging topic of saying 'no' as a business owner. She explores why it's okay and a necessity to set clear boundaries, dispelling the myth that new business owners aren't allowed to decline. She shares examples of boundaries you should set in your floristry business, including refusing non-revenue generating collaborations, distractions that don't contribute to your main goal, toxic clients, and any activity or relationship that doesn't make you happy or passionate. Jen also encourages listeners to feel confident in walking away from courses, books, or any investment that doesn't resonate with them, even if they've already spent money on it. She emphasizes that mental energy is an invaluable resource, and only what truly serves you and your business deserves it.

In this episode of the Floral Hustle podcast Jen tackles the topic of niche marketing and its role in the success of her own business. Specifically, Jen shares her experiences working as a florist in the cultural wedding industry including Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Pakistani and Somali weddings, among others. She discusses her relationships with multiple event decorators and wedding planners, the specialty of each decorator, and the working dynamics involved. Jen further shares why niche marketing can be an effective strategy for florists and gives various niche ideas within the wedding industry. This episode also includes useful tips on building business relationships and maintaining a profitable pricing structure.

Many people have big dreams of a 100k business but are putting less hours and less drive behind the business than matches their desired income. Ways to see if they are closer a match is tracking time, how you feel, how your business feels and look for areas that are falling behind. Then look at- am I putting in a 100K effort to support this? Its eye opening that you could be dreaming big but have lackluster communication , drive and passion to make it happen.

In this episode of the Floral Hustle Podcast, Jen discusses the importance of outsourcing tasks in her floral business to maintain both her success and sanity. She shares her top five tasks to outsource, including social media and admin tasks, bucket cleaning, organizing and prep work, accounting and tax advisory, and teardowns. By delegating these tasks to other professionals, she can focus on her passions and continue growing her business. Tune in to discover how outsourcing can benefit your business and give you the clarity and peace of mind you need to thrive.

In this episode, Jeni talks about negative feedback and how not to take it personally. We also talk about flipping the narrative of negative feedback is helping you repel the type of client you do not want and narrow your ideal customer even more. You can wallow in the self-pity of the feedback or you can harness your power and fuel that for your true purpose.

On this week's episode, we're going to talk about sales in proposals and having a proposal that sells you, your company, your designs, your execution, and everything to that client.

I do visually curated proposals. I have seen lots of proposals and I've done lots of different types of proposals. I do visually driven proposals so that when somebody opens this proposal, they feel their wedding. They can see the soft fluffiness of the blooms. They can see the bold colors, they can see the softness or the muted colors - and they can feel what their wedding is like.

A lot of people are resistant and feel they can't do that kind of proposal, because it would take a lot of time, and they would spend more time in addition to meeting with the client for the consultation. This does not have to be that hard. You can simplify this process immensely. Tune in to this episode and learn the way you can add visual proposals to your process, painlessly.

In this episode of the Floral Hustle podcast, Jen shares her tips and insights on handling deposits in the floral business. She talks about simplifying the deposit process, offering clients different payment options, and how she handles the deposits she receives. Jen also discusses how she approaches special circumstances when it comes to keeping or refunding deposits and shares the importance of having a kindhearted approach in the business. Additionally, she touches on the topic of monthly coaching and the importance of growing revenue to solve various business problems.

In this week's episode of the Floral Hustle podcast, Jen discusses the three things that may be holding you back in your business. She emphasizes the importance of consistency in building relationships, responding to clients, and posting on social media. Jen also talks about how having the right mindset and thinking bigger can lead to significant growth and success in your business. Tune in to learn how to overcome these challenges and achieve your goals in the floral industry.

Notes:

In this episode of the Floral Hustle podcast, Jen discusses the importance of forecasting for your wedding floral business and shares tips on how to accurately predict and manage your finances. Learn how to use simple tools like Google Sheets to track your revenue, expenses, and profit margin, and understand how to make adjustments throughout the year to ensure you meet your income goals.

In this episode we talk all about optimizing your ordering and strategizing on where the best place for that item is.

We talk through ordering through multiple wholesalers and sourcing direct from rose farms. Leave this episode prepared to smart source this wedding season.

In this episode I want to talk about some of the signs that you should be raising your pricing.

Do you have a never ending to do list? Do you feel like you never make traction on your to do list? Here are three ways for you to ditch the overwhelm and get more done.

1 Lists- Use a notes app like Evernote to create folders for different subjects in your life. Capture things pouring out of your head so you can feel like you are not loosing things.

2 Sunday night prep- prepare for your week so you are setup for self. With Sunday night prep I make sure calendars are setup and filled up the info for everyone to be on the same stage. Then you can go through things like mail, figure out your plan for the week.

3 Make sure you are hiring the help you need to accomplish anything you have/need to be done. Most early entrepreneurs try to do it all and that gets you in trouble and leads to burn out. Having the help you need makes you feel more fulfilled.

When you get an inquiry the next steps are critical on wether you will end up with the wedding. I walk you through my consultation process that will help perfect your consultations for a higher average wedding and closing more couples.

First thing you should do is make sure the inquiry is a good fit for business. Does the design match your aesthetic and is the budget in line with your minimum? Then I share my brochure that has starting at pricing in it. I then ask additional questions to make sure the inquiry is in alignment with the additional factors I have asked for further details on such as number of bridesmaids, if they need centerpieces, and the number of guest tables they estimate having. With this information I can determine if I need to educate them on their budget a bit or do I need to setup a consultation. With asking clarifying questions you are setting up your interactions to be worth your time investment.

This episode highlights some essential factors to consider when sourcing products from overseas factories.

Sourcing is not limited to just China, as factories from other countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Korea, and Thailand also participate in sourcing.
Alibaba.com and the Alibaba sites provide a vast range of countries and manufacturers enrolled in their supplier program, and so do other sites like DHgate.
There's typically a three-week shutdown of Chinese factories during Chinese New Year that buyers should note. To avoid delays, it's critical to place orders early during holiday seasons.
Asking for a real photo from a seller before ordering a sample is advisable, mainly to ensure that the product is not a mock-up and is what it actually looks like.
The shipping time for a product can vary depending on whether it is shipped by air or sea. The processing time also differs, similar to ordering from Amazon.
Checking communication in a timely manner with overseas suppliers is important due to the time difference. Many factories use translators, so clarifying misunderstandings is essential.
Paying through Alibaba guarantees that the factories listed will stand behind the terms of service. Alibaba has guarantees in place for payments made through their platform to ensure buyers are working with reputable factories.
There are reviews on the website to provide transparency on factory performance. A processing fee for payment protection on products is also involved.
It's crucial to remind shippers to use strong packaging to prevent damage to the product during shipping.
Samples are necessary to avoid surprises in size or color when the actual product arrives. It's advisable to request samples to be sent by air for items ranging from $50 to $150.
The pricing on Alibaba is generally more competitive than other sources, but other sources often offer fast shipping and allow customers to buy in lower quantities.
Customizations can be made to items listed on Alibaba, depending on the factory and the product being sold.
Customers can search for specific products on Alibaba and find them on the summary page, which is a collection of items under that search word.

I hope these tips help you when sourcing from overseas, and I look forward to sharing more insights with you!

We currently live in anti hustle society. What is anti-hustle culture? Anti-hustle culture is a rejection of the notion that business owners should hustle. The grind, the working all hours, the constant activity that is glamorized in certain entrepreneurial circles and by some prominent entrepreneurs.

How many people do you know who are successful that did not hustle a bit to get where they are. On top of that our world is a single day with a perishable product- the hustle is real that day.