The Flower Farmer Forum Friday Featured Flower Farmer is a series of interviews with flower farmers who are doing things differently. The first episode features Katie and Audra from Ranchy Stems in South Dakota. They discuss their journey into flower farming, their initial struggles with selling at farmers markets, and their shift towards agritourism. Their why for starting a flower farm includes the desire for freedom and financial stability, as well as a love for flowers. They also emphasize the importance of finding a niche and adjusting their business model based on market demand. Audra and Katie discuss their love for flowers and their journey in starting Ranchy Stems, a flower farm in rural South Dakota. They talk about the challenges they faced, the importance of communication and record-keeping, and the value of learning from failures. Audra and Katie also share their plans for the future, including subscriptions, nursing home sponsorships, and on-farm events. They emphasize the need to have a sense of purpose and to be confident in one's abilities.

Follow Ranchy Stems: https://www.instagram.com/ranchystems/

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode, Liz discusses her experience growing ranunculus in zone 4B. She shares her methods for pre-sprouting the corms, planting them in the high tunnel, and overwintering them. Liz also talks about the importance of using high tunnels in colder climates and the challenges she faced with saving and replanting the corms. She concludes by mentioning her plans for the upcoming year and the changes she will make to her subscription offerings.

Takeaways

• Ranunculus can be successfully grown in zone 4B with the use of a high tunnel.
• Pre-sprouting the corms and planting them in trays or directly in the ground can yield good results.
• Overwintering ranunculus is possible but requires careful storage and selection of healthy corms.
• Soil health is important for successful ranunculus cultivation, and cover crops can help improve it.
• Consider the timing of ranunculus blooms when planning subscriptions or sales.
• Selling ranunculus at a premium price is justified due to the high demand and cost of wholesale corms.

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

$25 off code: https://storeitcold.referralrock.com/l/6R543BWF/

In this episode of the Sunny Mary Meadow podcast, Liz Fiedler discusses flower coolers and cooling solutions for small businesses with Julia DeGennaro from CoolBot. They cover topics such as the use of floral coolers, the importance of coolers for flower storage, retrofitting coolers, and the basics of building a cooler. Julia also explains the Coolbot and its capabilities, as well as the different types of coolers and their setup considerations. The conversation covers the importance of cool storage for flowers, the options for building or buying a cooler, and the considerations for mobile coolers. It also delves into the impact of temperature on flower storage and the referral program for Coolbot.

Takeaways

• The use of floral coolers is instrumental in the efficient storage and preservation of flowers for small businesses.
• Retrofitting coolers with the Coolbot controller can be a cost-effective solution for businesses facing compressor issues.
• Understanding the basics of building a cooler, including setup considerations and humidity levels, is essential for businesses looking to create their own cooling solutions. The importance of cool storage for flowers, especially for flower farmers and florists.
• Considerations for building or buying a floral cooler, including the options for mobile coolers.
• The impact of temperature on flower storage and the referral program for Coolbot.

CoolBot: https://www.storeitcold.com/

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

More information on Farmer Florist Boot Camp and the link to sign up: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/joinus-32544a52-8c39-4821-b321-b3548312c38e

Check out Jeni: https://www.thefloralhustle.com/

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode, Liz discusses the importance of rest and recovery in business. She emphasizes that running a business is not a solo endeavor and shares her experience of having a team to help her. Liz talks about the dangers of trying to do too much and the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life. She also explores the role of rest in enhancing productivity, maintaining physical and mental health, fostering creativity, and making informed decisions. Liz encourages listeners to prioritize rest and incorporate it into their business plans.

Takeaways

• Running a business is not a solo endeavor; having a team to help is important.
• Trying to do too much can lead to burnout; finding a balance is crucial.
• Rest and recovery enhance productivity and maintain physical and mental health.
• Rest fosters creativity and improves decision-making.
• Incorporating rest into your routine and setting boundaries is essential for long-term success and well-being.

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this conversation, Liz and Abbey discuss various topics related to flower farming and entrepreneurship. They touch on the challenges of balancing multiple businesses, the importance of finding your niche, and the need to evaluate and adjust your business strategies. They also talk about risk tolerance and the mindset needed to overcome fear and pursue your goals. Overall, the conversation provides insights and advice for aspiring flower farmers and entrepreneurs. In this part of the conversation, Abbey discusses the benefits of having systems in place to manage her schedule and handle customer requests. She also talks about the challenges of turning down potential business due to being fully booked. Abbey shares her experience with adjusting her pricing and learning the value of her products and services over time. She emphasizes the importance of keeping track of hours and costs when starting a business. Abbey also provides insights on growing and selling peonies, including the need for a good cooler and understanding the shelf life of the flowers. She talks about attracting customers through word of mouth, joining local groups or chambers, and collaborating with traditional florists. Abbey encourages entrepreneurs to be brave and take the leap in starting their own business.

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode, Liz Fiedler discusses the pros and cons of selling flowers in your first year of flower farming. She shares her personal opinion and experiences, emphasizing the importance of identifying your goals and motivations. Liz believes that selling flowers in the first year can provide valuable market insight, help build a customer base, and jumpstart learning in business operations. However, she also acknowledges the potential risks and challenges, such as maintaining quality standards and managing pricing. The episode concludes with a reminder to weigh personal circumstances, resources, and goals when deciding whether to sell flowers in the first year.

Takeaways

• Identify your goals and motivations before deciding whether to sell flowers in your first year.
• Selling flowers in the first year can provide valuable market insight and help build a customer base.
• Consider the potential risks and challenges, such as maintaining quality standards and managing pricing.
• Weigh personal circumstances, resources, and goals when making the decision to sell flowers in the first year.

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode, Liz discusses the concept of going deeper, not wider with your customer base. She shares her experience with her flower farm business and how she shifted her focus to building stronger relationships with a smaller group of customers. Liz emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, reducing advertising costs, and fostering customer loyalty. She also explores the mindset work required to stay focused on the end goal and avoid getting caught up in vanity metrics. Liz concludes by recommending the book 'The Gap and the Gain' by Dan Sullivan as a resource for personal development and motivation.

Takeaways

1. Focus on building stronger relationships with a smaller group of customers rather than trying to attract a large audience.
2. Understanding customer needs and anticipating their future needs can lead to repeat sales and customer loyalty.
3. Reducing advertising costs by focusing on existing customers can save time and money.
4. Training new customers takes time, so focusing on repeat customers allows for more time to improve products and services.
5. Deepening relationships with existing customers can lead to a more stable and predictable revenue stream.
6. Celebrate and acknowledge the progress you have made instead of fixating on what is still ahead.
7. Share your achievements with others to reinforce a positive mindset and culture of appreciation.

Resources

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

The Gap and the Gain: https://a.co/d/0Zvg6df

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

The conversation is about Facebook and Instagram ads and targeted ads in general. The guest, Lexi Wright, is an expert in this topic and runs a marketing agency called Back Pocket Social. They discuss the importance of having clear goals and measuring success when running ads. They also talk about the different audiences on Facebook and Instagram and how to target ads accordingly. The conversation emphasizes the value of hiring a freelancer or specialist to help with ads, especially if time is limited. For those DIYing their ads, they suggest starting with boosting posts that drive sales and analyzing website analytics to see if the ads are effective. In this conversation, Liz and Lexi discuss the process of setting up and running Facebook ads. They also explain the importance of having a website and how to choose the right type of ad and audience for your campaign. Lexi emphasizes the need for measuring and analyzing results, as well as the importance of having clear goals and a customer journey map. They also discuss the mindset and mindset shifts necessary for successful marketing.

Takeaways

• Having clear goals and measuring success is crucial when running Facebook and Instagram ads.
• Understanding the different audiences on Facebook and Instagram can help in targeting ads effectively.
• Hiring a freelancer or specialist can save time and yield better results when running ads.
• For those DIYing their ads, start by boosting posts that drive sales and analyze website analytics to evaluate effectiveness. Set up a Facebook Business Manager account to run Facebook ads.
• Bring your assets, such as your Facebook and Instagram pages, into your Business Manager account.
• Set up an ad account to have more options for targeting and data.
• Consider setting up a data set to gather more information about your website visitors.
• Choose the right type of ad based on your goals, such as awareness, traffic, or engagement.
• Define your audience and set a budget for your ads.
• Create eye-catching creatives and compelling copy for your ads.
• Measure and analyze your results to make informed decisions.
• Have clear goals and create a customer journey map to guide your advertising strategy.
• Develop a growth mindset and understand the importance of measuring and analyzing data in marketing.

Helpful Links:

Link to her free guide: backpocketsocial.com/liz

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcastnstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/

In this episode, Liz wraps up the three-part mini-series on starting a flower farm. The main theme is the commitment to learning and understanding the various aspects of running a business, beyond just growing flowers. The host discusses the importance of sales, handling rejection, and analyzing the market. They also emphasize the need for efficiency and streamlining processes to save time and avoid burnout. The episode concludes with an invitation to a live Q&A webinar.

Takeaways

• Starting a flower farm requires a commitment to learning about all aspects of running a business, not just growing flowers.
• Efficiency and streamlining processes are crucial to save time and prevent burnout.
• Analyzing the market and understanding customer preferences is essential for success.
• Sales and handling rejection are important skills to develop.
• Consider the resources available and the level of commitment required before starting a flower farm.

Link to signup for the webinar: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/registration-page-27840ccf-7ed0-4fa7-a4bd-16e51986adfd

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm (www.sunnymarymeadow.com) specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you-pick flower farm experience.

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852