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

• 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 templates or 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 here to 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

___________________________________________

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

___________________________________________

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