Episode 260:  Vonda and Lori discuss how common negative narratives surrounding sales projections and the economy can drain our motivation and energy. They provide insights and strategies on maintaining a positive mindset to navigate challenges and strive for success despite the discouraging external factors. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on overcoming setbacks and staying focused on your goals.

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 259: In this episode, Lori and Vonda are joined by Bill LaFever, President of the Bill Doran company, to dive into crucial issues impacting the floral industry. Bill sheds light on the recent advocacy efforts in Washington DC, led by the Society of American Florist (SAF), to advocate for the renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). He emphasizes the significance of the GSP in enabling duty-free rose imports from Ecuador and provides valuable insights into its implications.

Furthermore, Bill delves into the potential impact of impending tariffs on the industry and shares expert perspectives as Valentine's Day approaches in just two months. 

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 258: In this episode, Vonda and Lori are joined by Ellie to discuss the powerful connection between exceptional customer experiences and effective sales training. As instructors of SalesPrepSchool, they delve into the highlights and key upgrades of the newly launched SalesPrep 2.0 by Flower Clique. Sales Prep School is a flexible associative learning system tailored specifically to the floral industry, designed to empower teams with the knowledge to excel in sales and customer service. 

To learn more about SalesPrep 2.0 and see if it's a fit for your business, schedule your course orientation with Lori here. Or, jump right in and purchase the course here.

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 257: Vonda is on her own in this week as important personal business takes Lori away for a much needed day off. With Thanksgiving this week, Vonda looks at the  saying "If everyone put their cross in a pile, you would take your own as it's known to you." The episode delves into what this saying means and how and why it relates to each of us. She also challenges you to start the day with gratitude and gives you a feel ideas of what to be thankful for. 

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 256:  Vonda and Lori sit down with special friend, Renee Tucci AIFD CFD PFCI AAF, President Elect of AIFD, to discuss the importance of foundational education in floral design and how it is the key to growing and developing your personal and professional skills. They explore the significance of becoming a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) and a member of the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). Lori poses insightful questions to Renee and Vonda, uncovering the motivations behind pursuing these certifications and the path to achieving them.

From discussing the advantages, both personal and professional, of obtaining these credentials to sharing a few fun stories, this episode emphasizes the importance of continual learning and growth in the floral industry. Tune in to discover how attending the AIFD National Symposium can elevate your floral design career and open doors to a blooming future.

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 255:  Vonda and Lori as they sit down with Ryan Freeman, President of Strider and a seasoned expert in the fields of SEO and online marketing. Ryan sheds light on the overwhelming landscape of SEO, cautioning businesses against making quick decisions and falling for fear-driven sales tactics.

With a focus on the importance of making informed choices, Ryan answers Lori's questions, talks about why SEO that is business specific is important, and encourages everyone to navigate the digital marketing realm with a reputable company without pressure. Furthermore, he provides valuable insights into recent Google changes and offers practical, no-cost strategies to enhance your business's SEO performance.

Tune in to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to optimize your online presence before the holiday season kicks in. Ryan prepared a guide with his top three ways to ramp up offline marketing to help your online presence.
Flourish This Holiday Season: A Retail Florist's Guide

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 254: In this episode, hosts Lori and Vonda are joined by special guest David Register, the Executive Vice President at FernTrust, Inc. located in Seville, FL. David provides insights into the cut foliage business, discussing the products they are known for and the impacts of multiple hurricanes on the industry. The conversation also delves into what can be expected for Valentine's Day, the major challenges in production, and two key factors that significantly influence the business but are beyond their control. Labor and productivity costs are addressed, along with potential solutions to navigate these challenges effectively. Join us for an engaging discussion on the dynamics of the cut foliage market and the strategies for success in this ever-evolving industry.

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 253: Lori provides an insightful look into the less glamorous aspects of being a manager that are rarely discussed. She shares interesting and surprising insights about the challenges that managers experience and often keep to themselves. While there may not be definitive solutions to these issues, Lori and Vonda emphasize the importance of building resilience as a manager. They highlight the need for managers to remain strong in the face of adversity, as these challenges are inevitable and should not be taken personally. If you're a manager, you'll likely find yourself nodding in agreement as Lori and Vonda delve into the lesser-known realities of this role.

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 252: In this episode, host Lori Wilson PFCI sits down with her co-host Vonda LaFever AIFD PFCI CFD and friend Julie Poeltler AIFD PFCI CFD  to discuss their recent collaboration with a top-notch video production and design team. Join them as they reflect on their experience at the Benz Institute on the Texas A&M Campus in College Station.

From overcoming challenges to embracing highlights, Julie and Vonda share what they learned from working with these talented teams and how it has impacted their own approach to their profession. Tune in to hear about the wonderful lessons and experiences gained from this collaborative endeavor.

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 251: Lori and Ellie reflect on Flower Clique's first in-person staff retreat, which prioritized team bonding and relaxation. The retreat featured a session on 'Sparketypes', which provides insights into team members’ personality archetypes, such as Mavens, Makers, Scientists, and Performers. These insights aim to enhance personal fulfillment and team efficiency by aligning roles to individual strengths and avoiding burnout. Tune in to discover different creative and leadership archetypes in business, particularly in flower shops, and how you can use the Sparketype quiz to better appreciate and strengthen your team dynamics.

Suggestion: Take the quiz first to get your Sparketype, and then come back here to tune in! Take the quiz here: https://sparketype.com/

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist