Last week I just took myself for a 2 night hotel stay … by myself! I know, What a bloody boujie b*tch! 

2 weeks ago I was starting to lose it a bit with the kids, my husband Mark was away for work, my 2 year old was going through a developmental leap and waking 3 times a night, my daughter was really pushing the boundaries, probably because she wanted my attention and work was non-stop. And there were a few unforeseen problems I needed to solve that were taking a bit of my attention.  

A fortnight ago I felt tired and cranky and scattered and foggy and like I was going through the motions and as you might have guessed from the title of this episode – I don’t feel like that anymore because – controversially – I took a break in the middle of peak season. 

In this episode I'm sharing the importance of making space for yourself, gaining clarity and rest to put your best self forward in all aspects of your life. 

If you second guess your pricing, constantly reduce it because you feel like you're charging too much, or change the pricing when your client cries 'it's too expensive, can you do it for less?' or simply - have no idea what to charge and are just guessing - then this episode is for you!

Your pricing should not be based on how YOU feel. It should be based on the industry minimum standard and what the general expected pricing is in your city, region, area. 

We all want to be able to best service our clients - so let's focus on what we can do for our clients rather than what we cant - without compromising our profit margins. 

In this episode, I'm sharing advise on how to price, what to consider, what not to compromise on and WHY your pricing should be a MINIMUM of product x 3. 

When we understand more about ourselves, we can understand more about others.

In this episode we're diving into Human Design with an expert in the field - Cat Skreiner.

Cat is a Human Design for Business & Career Consultant, empowering intentional entrepreneurs and business leaders to fully understand and embody their unique energetic blueprint—unlocking greater ease, flow, and abundance in both their personal and professional lives.

With over 14 years of experience in corporate digital marketing and more than a decade of entrepreneurship, Cat combines her expertise with the transformative power of Human Design & Gene Keys. She helps clients elevate their business success and amplify their impact by integrating their innate strengths and gifts. Through her guidance, clients build intentional, authentic businesses that allow them to shine in a way that feels aligned, fun, and effortless.

In this episode you'll learn more about the 5 types of Human Design, how to work with your Human Design to be the most effective version of yourself and how to apply this to your business. 

I used to tell myself ‘I wasn’t built for running’ I used to joke about it infact. I’m 5 foot in heels and a stocky little thing. I wasn’t athletic growing up and I didn’t really do sports as an extra curricular. 

Last weekend I ran my first half marathon, at the age of 38, I decided if not now, then when and also – why not? Why couldn’t I. At the beginning of this year when I started training, I couldn't run 3km and last weekend, I ran 21km with 5000 other West Aussies. And man it has taught me so much and been the best self development journey and challenge.

In this episode I'm sharing with you my running journey and the key 9 things I've learnt - about running, life and business - from training for a half marathon. 

So tune in and let's get physical! 

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If youre ready to get more of this awesome source in your businesses then sign up for The Bloom-Print Membership to help you get on your way towards your next business step!

Sign up now: https://mapleandwrenacademy.thinkific.com/memberships/the-bloom-print-membership

In this episode I'm joined by my industry friend Kiera Treloar.
Kiera is the founder of Little Things Events a bespoke full service wedding and event planning company here in Perth. She has worked in the events industry for almost 15 years in both Perth + Sydney and started Little Things Events in 2020 to focus on the types of events she’s most passionate about – the heart-centred moments and core memories you want to tell your grandkids about. 

She is renowned for wowing her clients by going above and beyond, and unmistakably for the solid relationships she has made within the industry – and she’s an absolute delight to work with!

Kiera, like me, is also super passionate about industry education and she's also recently founded The Wedding Educators with another awesome industry friend Natalie Gasmier. The Wedding Educators is a space for wedding coordinators to upskill and learn all the tips and tricks of the trade along with best practise advise and processes to ensure success in this industry.  

In this interview we talk about starting a business after having a baby, the definition of success, what a great day on the job looks like and the kind of teamwork that really makes the dream work. 

Tune in to hear all about her journey in the events industry and so much more.

Last week one of my clients asked me 'El, do you really think I can do this, like should I really be doing this?' and it's not the first time I've been asked that question or had a conversation about whether you're too old or it's too late to be getting into something new - and it wasn't even the first time that week I'd had that conversation. This sort of thing comes up alot with my mentoring clients, and in my Instagram DMs and with my floral students. 

So in this episode I'm shifting your thinking about being too old, or it being too late or being ill equipped because IF NOT NOW... THEN WHEN?

Life is a pretty long journey and if you wanted to you could pick a different career every decade and still have 5 or 6 pretty amazing careers in your life. And spoiler alert - you are not too old and it is NOT too late! 

So if you're needing a little pick me up, a little spark into action, a bit of self-belief - allow this to be it - tune in, because this is the podcast for you!
 

Has it ever occur to you that you're choosing the client as much as they're choosing you? 

Pre-Qualifying your clients to ensure that they are the right clients for your business is so important and the earlier you can do that in the process, the less time you'll waste on a client who isn't your ideal. 

In this week's episode I'm sharing the 3 ways I pre-qualify my clients at the very beginning of my wedding process to weed out the time wasters and get excited about my clients.

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 If you're looking to get more of this kind of strategy in your business - join us in The Bloom-Print Membership! The Bloom-Print is for florists and wedding businesses ready to get serious about their businesses, get clear on their goals and getting the resources and support to start taking the strides towards them, jumping over all the hurdles that might be in your way on the journey. 

Get started now: https://mapleandwrenacademy.thinkific.com/memberships/the-bloom-print-membership

It's officially Spring! Which means.... Wedding Season is upon us!

So right now is the time to get yourserlf into preparation mode.

Aa wedding season is a bit like a marathon and you want to make sure you're mentally, physically and strategically prepared for it. You and your family!

In this week's podcast I'm sharing with you the ways I'm preparing for wedding season and what to consider in your planning to sustain you through this beautiful and busy season.

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If planning isn't your strong point, my love - I am here - and I'd adore to help!
Join me in The Bloom-Print Membership - the only membership for florists, wedding and event professionals that includes
- Live mentoring sessions monthly
- Live lessons monthly
- A community of like minded people to connect, learn and grow along side
- A content hub of plug and play resources, tools and advice to get your business working for you instead of you struggling to work for it!

Join now and let' start working towards your goals: https://mapleandwrenacademy.thinkific.com/memberships/the-bloom-print-membership

In Part 2 of my conversation with Alisha Erin from Bohemian Flowers we talk about freelancing, the importance of freelancers and what we look for and expect of freelancers vs the difference between freelancers and work experience, we talk about the evolution of style and what you learn from working with other florists.
We talk about success, the moments that blew her mind in business, the moments she maybe wanted to pack it in #COVID *facepalm* and her BIGGEST advice for new florists including a good tool belt. "A florist is only as good as her toolbox and her toolbelt."

Alisha Erin has been in the floral industry for 15 years starting her floristry journey when she was still in high school and took on a work placement in a local florist. From there her artistic prowess took hold, her creativity broadened and her boldness absolutely flourished as she grew her experience in the retail field before taking the plunge into her own business souly focussed on weddings and events.

She works from her home studio in Perth along side raising her two beautiful little children, living her dream work/life dynamic.

Follow Alisha at https://www.instagram.com/bohemianflowers/

My my are you in for a treat! Over the next 2 episodes get comfy and immerse yourself in the beautiful and bohemian world of Alisha Erin from Bohemian Flower.

Alisha started her floristry journey when she was still in high school and took on a work placement in a local florist. From there her artistic prowess took hold, her creativity broadened and her boldness absolutely flourished as she grew her experience in the retail field before taking the plunge into her own business souly focussed on weddings and events.

Alisha was one of the first florists I ever freelanced with when I first started out and her kindness and generosity with her knowledge almost took me by surprise. She's a true treasure and an absolute powerhouse on the Perth wedding floral scene.

Over the years we've back and forth freelanced for each other, both had babies around similar times and grown in many beautiful ways. We operate our businesses in very different ways and I adore the way Alisha has set hers up to work around her family.

You'll get so much from this episode - and the next one.  So lean in and listen, and  stay tuned for more of her wisdom next week!

Follow Alisha at https://www.instagram.com/bohemianflowers/