The Business & Pleasure of Flowers

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

Episode 250: Customer service can be a challenging field, especially when emotions come into play. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of customer interactions, particularly when dissatisfaction or complaints arise.

Lori shares a personal experience from the customer side and talks about what went wrong and shares strategies and verbiage to defuse tense situations. 

In the floral industry, emotions often run high, especially during occasions of sympathy. Knowing how to communicate effectively in these sensitive moments can make the difference between a satisfied customer returning or walking away forever. Join us as we discuss the significance of empathy and communication in providing exceptional customer service.

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

Episode 249: Join Lori as she sits down with Kami Martin, the Director of Membership, and Audrey Kristoff, the Product Manager, from the Flower Clique team. Discover how their roles contribute to the success of flower shop owners and Flower Clique members. Kami delves into her expertise in website management, discussing the intricacies of merchandising, while Audrey sheds light on the advantages of Flower Clique bundles. Stay tuned as Lori asks some engaging personal questions, allowing listeners to get to know this dynamic duo working behind the scenes at Flower Clique.

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

Episode 248: In this episode, Ellie, Lori, and Vonda share their experiences from an 8-day business trip focused on product development for Flower Clique. From photo shoots to creating videos for Sales Prep School, and even hosting an educational show at Bill Doran in Omaha, the trip was filled with challenges and obstacles that seemed almost comical at times.

Vonda and Lori have always emphasized the importance of turning obstacles into opportunities, but when faced with obstacles themselves, can they practice what they preach? Join us as we delve into their journey of overcoming hurdles and turning setbacks into success.

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

Episode 247: Vonda and Lori are on the road and picked a great rewind for you. It's a rewind from last summer of Episode 185:  Join Lori and Ellie as they sit down with our good friend, Sam Bowles, the General Manager and Creative Director of Allen's Flowers in beautiful San Diego, CA. Get ready for an inspiring episode that will leave you motivated and eager to take your floral business to new heights!

In this captivating conversation, Sam shares his incredible journey from being a middle-school educator to diving headfirst into the world of flowers. Discover how he experienced personal growth and embraced the evolving floral industry, becoming a true expert in his field.

But that's not all! Sam also reveals the hard-hitting truth on delivering exceptional 5-star customer service. Whether your customers purchase flowers online, over the phone, or in person at your shop, this episode will provide you with valuable tools, ideas, and concepts to elevate their experience and surpass their expectations.
Attracting and retaining customers is crucial in today's competitive market, and Sam's expertise will guide you on how to ensure your business stands out. Learn how to demonstrate your unrivaled knowledge, readiness, and commitment to superior customer service, making your business the go-to destination for all things floral.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a veteran floral business educator. Tune in to this enlightening episode and discover how you can exceed customer expectations and create an unforgettable floral experience!

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