Episode 346:  What makes a great leader? It turns out, it’s probably not having all the answers.

In this episode, Vonda and Lori unpack a list of management lessons that still ring true after 20 years of leadership—and talk about what they look like in the real world of small business and flower shops.

They dig into why great leaders have to repeat themselves (more than they think they should), how a lack of clarity can look like a performance problem, and why motivating your team may be less important than removing the friction that’s getting in their way.

They also tackle one of the biggest challenges for flower shop owners: letting go. How do you build systems, delegate responsibility, and create a team that can keep the “flywheel” spinning without being dependent on you for every decision?

And then there’s the leadership lesson that might sting a little: your team copies what you tolerate, not what you say.

From difficult employees and avoided conversations to trust, consistency, curiosity, ego, and emotional regulation, Vonda and Lori share what they’ve learned from leading the Flower Clique team—and from years of conversations with flower shop owners.

The biggest takeaway? The longer you lead, the more you realize leadership isn’t about certainty. It’s about staying curious, keeping an open mind, and being willing to ask, Could there be a better way?

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

Episode 345:  Social media doesn’t have to feel like another full-time job.In this episode, Lori and Audrey sit down with Sarah LoBue AIFD of Main Street Florist to talk about how flower shops can create a social media presence that feels authentic, connects with local customers, and keeps their business top of mind—without spending hours trying to create the perfect post.

Sarah shares practical takeaways from her “Elevate Your Social Media Brand” workshop at AIFD Symposium, including why your online presence should feel like a window into your flower shop rather than a billboard. It’s not just about beautiful flowers. It’s about showing your people, your personality, the behind-the-scenes moments, and the things that make your shop feel like your shop.

They talk about getting comfortable in front of the camera, using Stories as an easy place to start, jumping on trends without losing your brand voice, and finding the right mix of educational, entertaining, and sales-focused content.

Plus, Sarah shares why consistency beats creativity, how she gets her team involved in creating content, what she’s learned about Facebook vs. Instagram, and why some of the simplest posts can get the biggest response.

If social media has been sitting at the bottom of your to-do list because you don’t have enough time, content, or confidence, this conversation is your reminder: you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to start.

Sarah’s three tips for florists ready to lean into social media?

Be consistent. Show a face. Stop trying to be perfect.

Hit post. Your customers want to see the real people—and the real flower shop—behind the flowers.

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

Episode 344: Empathy is not something you either have or you don’t - it is a skill you can practice, strengthen, and sometimes struggle to access.

In this episode, Vonda and Lori continue their conversation about empathy in leadership by exploring the framework from Empathy Is Not a Weakness by Lauren Sanders. They break down the word EMPATHY into practical behaviors leaders can use to create stronger teams, healthier communication, and more psychological safety in the workplace.

From examining personal blind spots and managing mindfulness to practicing perspective, communicating tactfully, and replacing “no way” with “tell me more,” this honest and humorous conversation challenges leaders to look closely at how their words, reactions, and facial expressions affect the people around them.

You’ll also hear real-life stories about difficult conversations, leadership mistakes, design instructors who build confidence - or tear it down - and why listening for understanding can be more powerful than immediately offering advice.

Empathetic leadership does not mean lowering expectations. It means learning how to lead people with clarity, dignity, self-awareness, and care.

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

Episode 343: Empathy is not just about feeling someone else’s emotions—it can shape how we communicate, lead our teams, serve customers, and respond when someone needs help.

In the second of this series, Lori and Vonda explore the three types of empathy: cognitive, somatic, and compassionate. They break down how each one appears in everyday flower shop situations, from helping an overwhelmed customer and responding to a delivery complaint to supporting a grieving family or stepping in when an employee is falling behind.

They also discuss the risks that come with each type of empathy, including manipulation, emotional exhaustion, burnout, and creating dependency instead of growth. Through personal stories, flower shop examples, and plenty of honest conversation, Lori and Vonda explain how empathy works through the head, the heart, and the hands—and why healthy boundaries matter.

This episode will help you recognize the empathy you already use, understand your natural tendencies, and become more intentional about how you connect with your customers, employees, and community.

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

Episode 342: Can empathy really make your flower shop more profitable? In this episode, Lori shares the key lessons from her leadership presentation at AIFD Symposium and explains why empathy isn’t just a personality trait, it’s a skill that can be learned and strengthened.

Lori and Vonda unpack the biggest misconceptions about empathy, including why understanding someone’s perspective doesn’t mean you have to agree with them. They explore the difference between sympathy and empathy, how empathy builds stronger teams, and why business owners need healthy boundaries alongside genuine care.

The conversation also dives into practical, real-world situations every flower shop owner faces: supporting employees through difficult seasons, handling challenging customer interactions, creating loyalty through authentic leadership, and avoiding burnout by practicing what Lori calls “professional empathy.”

Along the way, Lori shares a deeply personal story about losing her brother and the friend who showed her what true empathy looks like, not by fixing the pain, but simply by being there.

You’ll also hear:

• Why empathy is a learnable leadership skill
• The difference between sympathy and empathy
• How empathy improves employee engagement, creativity, and retention
• A simple 10-minute leadership technique for difficult employee conversations
• Why boundaries are essential for empathetic leaders
• A preview of the three types of empathy: cognitive, compassionate, and somatic

And before the leadership lessons begin, Lori shares an exciting personal milestone: after talking about it for two years, she’s finally taking her very first pickleball lesson, a small but meaningful step toward practicing the work-life balance she encourages others to pursue.

Whether you lead a flower shop, manage a team, or simply want to become a better leader, this episode offers practical insights that will help you build stronger relationships and a healthier workplace.

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

Episode 341: Fresh from AIFD Symposium 2026, Vonda reflects on the moments that mattered most and they weren’t always found on the stage. In this heartfelt solo episode, she shares why kindness, mentorship, and making first-time attendees feel welcome are essential to the future of the floral industry. Join us for a conversation about community, belonging, and the ripple effect of one encouraging word. Because the greatest thing we can arrange isn’t just flowers - it’s confidence in another person.

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

Episode 340: What does it really mean to “make it pretty?”

In this first Moments with Marlin episode, floral industry favorite Marlin Hargrove joins Lori and Vonda for a conversation that’s about so much more than flowers. Together, they explore the responsibility florists carry as the keepers of the pretty—taking a customer’s vision, interpreting it with care, and delivering something meaningful to the person receiving it.

Along the way, they discuss:

• Why listening is the most important design skill you’ll ever develop.
• The surprising secret to finding great designers (hint: grow your own).
• How letting go of perfection makes you a better leader.
• Wedding trends, fearless color, and what’s changing in floral design.
• Lessons learned from educating florists through Green Mountain Floral Supply.
• Why “pretty” is deeply personal—and how every arrangement tells someone else’s story.

Filled with wisdom, laughter, and Marlin’s unforgettable one-liners, this episode is a reminder that florists don’t just arrange flowers—they translate emotions, preserve memories, and carry beauty from one heart to another.

Because in the end, our job isn’t to make it perfect… it’s to make it pretty.

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

Episode 339:  In this episode, Vonda and Lori explore a surprising truth about leadership: knowing better doesn’t always mean doing better. Drawing from recent research on behavior change, Lori unpacks why people resist advice, struggle to adopt new habits, and often become defensive when faced with feedback.

The conversation dives into the role of empathy, psychological safety, cognitive overload, and communication in creating meaningful change within teams. Lori shares the BRIDGE framework—a practical approach to helping employees grow through trust, collaboration, accountability, and ongoing dialogue.

Whether you’re managing a flower shop, leading a team, or simply trying to influence positive change in others, this episode offers valuable insights into how people learn, grow, and ultimately transform.

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

Episode 338: Most florists have seen the AFE logo, but many don’t realize just how much the American Floral Endowment impacts their business every day.

In this episode, Vonda and Lori sit down with Debi Chedester, Executive Director of the American Floral Endowment, to uncover the research, scholarships, internships, grants, and industry initiatives happening behind the scenes that help florists succeed.

Debi shares her unique journey into the floral industry, what surprised her most about the people who make it special, and how AFE has spent 65 years investing in the future of flowers. From flower quality and consumer research to sustainability, travel grants, and recruiting the next generation of industry professionals, this conversation highlights why AFE matters to every florist, whether you realize it or not.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• What the American Floral Endowment actually does
• How AFE research improves flower quality from seed to consumer
• Free resources available to florists right now
• Travel grant opportunities for industry events
• The growing importance of sustainability and Sustainabloom
• Why consumer and Gen Z research matters more than ever
• How AFE is preparing the industry for the next 5–10 years
• Ways florists can support and get involved with AFE

Whether you’re a retailer, wholesaler, grower, designer, or simply passionate about the floral industry, this episode offers a fascinating look at the organization quietly working behind the scenes to help flowers - and florists - thrive.

Because when we invest in the industry together, everyone blooms. 

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

Episode 337: In this episode, we sit down with Mark Frye of Creative Occasions Flowers and Events to talk about his unexpected path—from speech pathologist to lumber salesman… to owning a flower shop for over 30 years.

Mark shares the real story behind the leap—the fear, the risk, and the early days of figuring it all out, including managing a team for the first time and learning to let go of control. What started as a side hustle quickly grew into a full-time business, shaped by faith, persistence, and a willingness to keep evolving.

We also dive into his YouTube series Blossoms & Bourbon, why teaching others actually grows your business, and his honest take on today’s wedding market—from working with all budget levels to where florists are leaving money on the table.

If you’re building a business, navigating change, or wondering what’s next, this conversation will remind you that the most unexpected paths often lead exactly where you’re meant to be.

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