Episode 269: Grab a cup of coffee and join hosts Vonda and Lori as they sit down with Sarah Botchick, Marketing & Purchasing Manager at Pioneer Imports & Wholesale. Sarah takes us back to the ‘90s when she built the company’s very first website as a high school student—yes, dial-up internet and all! You’ll hear how that humble start evolved into a dynamic online presence that keeps Pioneer Imports competitive today. This laid-back conversation covers the must-dos for maintaining a relevant, user-friendly site, why investing in your online home base matters, and how to keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape. Tune in for real-world stories, practical tips, and a dose of fun along the way!

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

Episode 268: Flowers are known to speak the unspoken sentiments of love, care gratitude and sincerity, but sometimes the accompanying notes have a whole lot more to say – especially at Valentine's Day! In this episode, Lori and Vonda asked Flower Clique members to share the most unusual (and occasionally jaw-dropping) Valentine’s Day card messages they’ve ever received from a customer. Tune in to discover the sweet, the silly, and the truly unexpected ways people say “I love you”—and beyond.

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

Description:  Lori has fun interviewing Vonda and Ellie before Valentine's Day to learn a bit about their personal preferences in terms of design styles and favorite flowers to recounting their most memorable Valentine's Day stories.  

Vonda and Ellie also share tips and guidance for new employees navigating their first Valentine's Day in a flower shop, which is also a really good reminder for seasoned staff.  Discover where they find their inspiration and how they continue to nurture their creativity in this blooming industry.

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

Episode 266: In today's episode Lori candidly shares a heartfelt update on her father, Lenny, with Vonda and listeners. Lori takes us through the emotional journey she faced while simply trying to accomplish a task over the phone, reflecting on the conflicting roles of being both a customer and an expert in customer experience and sales. Through her personal experience, Lori emphasizes the importance of effective communication in shaping the customer's journey. Drawing from her expertise in customer service, she underscores the need for better training and a deeper understanding of customer interactions for employees. Tune in to gain valuable insights into customer service and discover the lessons learned from Lenny's experiences.

Learn more about Flower Clique

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

Episode 265:  Lori and Vonda guide you through personalize and  essential steps to a successful Valentine's Day in your flower shop. They emphasize the importance of having a properly educated and trained team to ensure everything runs smoothly. From preparing flowers to optimizing your website layout and effectively communicating shop policies, they provide valuable insights to help you make the most out of this romantic holiday.

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

Episode 264: In this episode, Lori kicks things off with an inspiring lesson from Lenny, setting the tone for a creative and productive conversation. Then, she and Vonda dive into a unique and exciting way to tackle goal-setting for 2025. Instead of the traditional vision board, they’re introducing a fresh, fun approach: a Bingo card for your goals!

Why Bingo? It’s simple, engaging, and far less daunting than creating a vision board. Each square is a goal, and as you achieve them, you’re on your way to calling out “BINGO!” It’s a practical and playful way to track your progress throughout the year—and we’re challenging YOU to create your own. Game on!

🎉 Calling All Young Professionals:

Get ready for Next Gen Live!—the ultimate annual 3-day event designed for young floral professionals. Join us in Dallas from February 23rd to 25th for education, networking, and inspiration. Earlybird registration ends January 20th, so save your spot now and take advantage of the discount.

Get all the details here: https://safnow.org/next-gen-live/


It’s an episode full of creativity, actionable tips, and exciting opportunities. Tune in now and start 2025 with a bang 🎧

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

Episode 263: In this special episode, Ellie and Kami join hosts, and team members, Vonda and Lori as they look back on the past year and share personal highlights including wins, challenges overcome, surprises, and insights gained. Listen in as the team reveals unexpected answers and discusses the significance of choosing a word to guide them both personally and professionally throughout the coming year. Do you have a word that supports and inspires you on your journey?

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

Episode 262: In this episode, Vonda and Lori delve into the concept of observing your surroundings without allowing them to deeply affect you. Do you find yourself getting overwhelmed by the news or situations around you? Join us as we explore why some individuals are able to simply observe and let go, while others tend to absorb information and let it deeply bother them. 

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

Episode 261: Ellie LaFever, PFCI joins Lori and Vonda again in this episode to delve into trend predictions for 2025 sourced from Pinterest. Ellie shares key insights on upcoming trends and the three discuss how some of these trends can impact the floral industry. Join the conversation as they explore the latest trend predictions and give them your "love it" or not.

Pantone Color of the Year
Color Trend Thursd.

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

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