In today’s episode, Jeni gets real about one of the least talked about but most important topics in the floral industry: paying yourself.
So many florists are creating beautiful work, serving their couples like magic… and quietly paying themselves almost nothing.
This episode breaks down why that happens, how to shift it, and the exact framework (Profit First) Jeni uses to make sure florists are paid fairly and consistently.

Whether you're a new florist still feeling “grateful to be chosen” or a seasoned designer carrying years of undercharging, these strategies will help you build a business that actually supports your life — not drains it.

🌼 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

💰 Why Paying Yourself Is a Real Success Metric

And why "but I love what I do" is NOT a valid reason to under-earn.

💸 The biggest lies florists tell themselves about money

Including:

• “I’m reinvesting everything, so I just can’t pay myself yet.”
• “My perks count as income… right?”
• “I’ll start paying myself when the business grows more.”

Spoiler: If there's no plan, growth won’t fix it.

📊 How to Calculate the REAL Value of Your Perks

Car, gas, phone, Internet, workshop supplies — they all add value, but they’re not a substitute for owner pay.

A Florist-Friendly Breakdown of Profit First

Jeni walks through:

• The 5 accounts you need (plus 1 bonus account)
• The percentages most florists should use
• Why owner’s compensation ≠ profit
• How to stop relying on deposits to survive
• What healthy margins actually look like for a florist

The #1 reason florists stay broke: impulse spending on inventory and flowers.

And how Profit First removes temptation and creates discipline.

Real numbers + real scenarios from Jeni’s business

Including:

• How she bought her company van
• Why she refuses to tap into deposits
• The “book of porn” rule for decor + hard goods
• How she funds workshops without sacrificing pay

Why women struggle to talk about money (and how to change that)

This section alone will shift how you think about your worth.

📉 Are you undercharging? Here’s how to know.

(Don’t worry — this part is delivered with love AND honesty.)

🌟 The emotional side of paying yourself

Because money is math, but it’s also mindset.

Key Takeaways

• You deserve to be paid well for the art, labor, leadership, and emotional load you carry.
• Perks are great — but they’re not a paycheck.
• Underpaying yourself is often a byproduct of underpricing.
• Profit First forces clarity, boundaries, and responsible growth.
• Your financial goals cannot stay vague — “I want to make $100k” means nothing until you define what part of that number is YOURS.
• A business is not sustainable if YOU are not being financially sustained.

Resources Mentioned

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz (highly recommended!)
• Links to: https://a.co/d/57gwekB
  • The Floral CEO Mastermind (January = Money Month) floralceo.com/mastermind
  • Business Breakthrough Strategy Session with Jeni https://floralceo.myflodesk.com/businessbreakthrough

Who This Episode Is For

• Florists who feel like they work nonstop but have little to show for it
• Designers ready to price correctly (finally)
• Anyone who wants to grow revenue and take home more money
• Creative entrepreneurs who want financial confidence
• Florists in their first 1–5 years of business who want a healthier foundation