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The Fat Guys are all back together in the same room for this special episode with our good friend and Next Gen leader, Cameron Pappas.  Pappas, also known as "2 Plaques," owner and President of Norton's Florist, Inc. is a long-time #Fatty fan and the Vice President of the #2FatGuysTalkingFlowers Fan Club.  And we got the chance to talk with him right after we wrapped up SAF's Next Gen Live 2023 event in Miami.

Since 1921, Norton's Florist has been providing quality flowers and unbeatable customer service, making them the "florist of choice" for Birmingham and surrounding areas. What started as a small floral business has evolved into a 21st-century operation capable of meeting its customers' needs and exceeding expectations. A family-owned business from the very beginning, our small-store values coupled with big-store resources equals a winning combination.

Listen in as we discuss a wide range of topics from working with your family/father, taking over the business at a young age, being a role model for the Next Gen industry members, and so much more.

Learn more about Cameron and his family's business at https://www.nortonsflorist.com/

NextGen 2023 Recap: 4:20
Being a Good Boss/Leader: 14:40
Cameron’s Backstory: 39:40 
Staying Positive: 54:20 
The Cameron Papas Way: 1:08:00
The Future of NextGen: 1:25:55
Questions: 1:41:50

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In this week's special extended cut episode, we chop it up with our long-time friend Bill Schaffer AIFD, AAF, PFCI of Schaffer Designs.  Bill is a renowned, 3rd generation floral designer who literally grew up in the floral industry.  Together with his wife, Kris Kratt AIFD, PFCI, they run Shaffer Designs out of Philadelphia, PA.   Bill & Kris' work includes multiple Gold Medal & Best0-in-Show award-winning exhibits at the Philly Flower Show, years of industry-leading trend forecasts and seminars, to designing signature bouquet recipes, collections, and marketing for the Gems Group.

Listen in as we travel back into Bill's early history, his stories from growing up in his family's flower shop,  his 15+ years creating at the Philly Flower Show, how we got into mass market designs and much more.  This episode is filled with so many gems and fun moments including Bill's infamous Philly Cheesesteak tour, Fern's trip to Carbone, and a few of Bill's secret obsessions.  Be sure to listen all the way through, we know you won't regret it!

Learn more about Bill, Kris, and their many accomplishments at schafferdesigns.com

Submit your questions and guest requests to [email protected]

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In this week's episode, we sit down AGAIN with F.J. Trzuskowski VP of Sales - Continental Floral Greens.  Fatty fans should remember the Joel memory card mishap. That lost memory card held the original F.J. episode, but as it turns out, this recording came out better!  So good news for Joel.  Listen in as we discuss everything from SAF CAD, massive Christmas greens production, health benefits of Eucalyptus, how many football field equivalent of farms and forests CFG manages, and so much more!

CFG started back in the 1950s, when their founder first began selling Comador Fern out of the back of his station wagon. Today, with new ownership and new leadership, Continental Floral Greens grows and operates in California, Oregon, Florida, and Washington. They offer a breadth of high-quality greens you won’t find anywhere else.  Learn more about F.J. and CFG at https://www.cfgreens.com/

Episode Chapters:
FJ’s Backstory: 2:50 
Making Christmas: 14:10
Selling Non-Christmas Greens: 28:20
The Process Of Growing Christmas Trees: 39:40\
Thoughts Of FloriExpo: 55:20
28th Street Memories: 1:08:05
Questions: 1:26:50

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In this episode, we sit down with the brains behind the Memorial Day Flower Foundation. An amazing organization where volunteers hand out thousands of donated flowers for placement at veteran gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery and cemeteries across the country. The volunteers place a flower in front of each headstone while quietly reading the inscription and then thanking the person for their service.
Ramiro Penaherrera, Executive Director and Bernardo Beate, Director of Operations
explain the history behind the project, the struggles it faces now, and the hopes for the near future.  Celine, Mimi, Fern & Ryan also discuss about their experiences in Arlington and with MDF.

Learn more and support the cause at: https://memorialdayflowers.org/

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We're back with another fantastic episode of #2FatGuysTalkingFlowers!  In this episode, Mike & Fern chop it up with Ryan, Mimi, Joel & Emilia aka the Fantastic Four of the Jet Fresh marketing department!  The marketing team spent 3 days together on our farm in Ecuador, Jet Fresh Growers, creating new content and building a stronger team bond.  Listen in for a full recap of the trip, including our llama updates, new developments on the farm, how Mimi hurt her ankle and did Joel REALLY push her??

Learn more about our Fantastic Four of marketing, how we won SAF's 2022 Marketer of the Year, and learn more about our boutique rose farm, Jet Fresh Growers at www.JetFreshFlowers.com

Episode Chapters:
Farm Trip Recap :
- Day 1: 5:30
- Day 2: 20:50
Building the Farm over time: 27:00
Everyone’s Farm Story: 37:20
First Experience on the Farm: 43:00
Everyones Take away: 1:04:00

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Sorry, we're a little late with this week's episode.   But we promise it's worth it!

In this episode of #2FatGuysTalkingFlowers we had a room full of friends from the SAF Next Gen Committee including Stephanie Brady and Amanda Jedlinsky of SAF and Melanie Spilbeler of Freshpath Marketing as we get excited for the upcoming event.  The Society of American Florist's 2nd annual Next Gen event is dedicated to the new talent, rising stars and future floral industry leaders.   Taking place June 11-13 in Miami, FL featuring a packed schedule of fun and flowers. Join floral pros age 45 and under from all segments — retail, event, wholesale, importer, grower, and manufacturers.  And don't miss the monthly Next Gen digital Happy Hour!
Register now!  https://safnow.org/events-education/next-gen-live/

Also discussed in this episode is the announcement of Fresh Fest 2023!  Get excited, as Ryan, Mimi, Joel explain what FF is, who it's for, and what we have planned for our first "by-us, for-us" Jet Fresh experience.  August 17-18, 2023.
(Only open to active JF customers).
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fresh-fest-tickets-619081428217

Episode Chapters:
SAF Next Gen 2023: 1:00
Mimi the Marketing Mom: 32:20
SAF Happy Hour: 37:20
Fresh Fest! : 56:45
What’s the Excitement about Fresh Fest: 1:06:40
What Can You Take Away From Fresh Fest: 1:16:50

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We're back with another fresh episode!  This week we paused the Mother's Day sales to sit down with event designer Al Davis, currently of Daniel Events.  Al started on 28th St. NY and moved to Miami to take part in the growing wedding and event industry.  Today he is the Creative Director for Daniel Events South and has lots of stories to share from his career.

The second half of the episode, Al had to finish setting up the event, so the Fatties remained and discussed a few more hot topics.  Ranging from SAF Next Gen, Mother's Day updates, as well as a Fresh Fest teaser!  Listen in and enjoy!

Email your questions to [email protected]

Daniel Events is an award-winning, premiere, event design and production company in South Florida.   With 2 locations in Palm Beach and Miami, our expert team of designers provides full-service planning and production of events ranging from intimate gatherings, milestone celebrations, and weddings, to custom installations, brand activations, and corporate events.

Learn more at: https://www.danielevents.com/

Episode Chapters:
Al Davis’s role with Daniel Events: 0:50
Al Davis’s Backstory: 3:35
28th Street: 6:25
Working With Designers & Weddings: 15:20
Al’s Designer Stories: 33:00
Andy’s Awesome Gift: 44:20
Next Gen: 50:55
Mother’s Day Update: 1:30:20
Fresh Fest! : 1:12:09

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In this week's episode of #2FatGuysTalkingFlowers, Mike was out so we asked the newest JF team member, and industry favorite, Mimi Pacheco to sub in for him and make her official podcast debut as a fresher.  It ended up working great, as Mimi became instant friends with our guest, Michelle Lewis Owner and Lead Designer of Bluegrass Chic.  Listen in as we discuss a wide range of topics from family businesses, starting a business with young kids, Michelle and our Dali's path together, Orlando weddings, and so much more!

Bluegrass Chic offers wedding and special event floral in Central Florida and in the Greater Cincinnati area. My goal is to help make your day special by eliminating the stress of designing your flowers. Give us a style type, color, and budget you have in mind and let us plan for you. We also offer packages for wedding personals and reception centerpieces.

Learn more about Michelle and Bluegrass Chic at bluegrasschic.com/

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Today's special episode of #2FatGuysTalkingFlowers has been planned and rescheduled a few times. Because we knew it would be much more fun to have our guest, Greg Staby, cut flower buyer for Flora Fresh Wholesale in Sacramento, CA record his episode IN STUDIO vs via Zoom.  And we were right!
In this special Extended Cut episode Mike, Fern, Ryan, Celine (Greg's long-time Miami sales rep), and Joel all join Greg in our Miami office for a fun episode full of tequila, flan, fathers, flowers, and more!

Flora Fresh is a leading floral wholesaler serving Northern California and Western Nevada for over 35+ years! Providing a customer experience that is found in a small family-run operation is what we do best and the reputation we have been built on.
Learn more at https://www.florafreshinc.com/

Episode Chapters:
Don Julio & Flan Backstory: 9:15
Greg’s Backstory: 15:50
Greg talks about the Boxes and buying: 37:00
Orange and Cinnamon shots: 1:07:40
Topics on Greg’s list: 1:14:50
Karaoke and Movie convo: 1:20:50
The Business of a Buyer: 1:29:10
Podcast Ending Questions: 1:47:00

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Due to human error, we couldn't bring you a new episode last week. So we're coming back strong with a special "4/20" episode of #2FatGuysTalkingFlowers.

Those who know us, know we are not ones to hide our love of all things green!  And many of our staff members are self-proclaimed "productive stoners."  In this week's episode, we sit down with a few of Jet Fresh's "stoners" including Momma Black, Celine, Pinky and Casey, and talk all things weed-culture.  From top stoner movies, best high snacks, top stoner tracks, and much more.  Also included in this episode, Pinky's future trip to Holland gets announced, Mike weighs in on hiring stoners, and much more.

Be sure to send us your top stoner favs! Email us at [email protected]

Episode Chapters:
Momma Black’s Stoner Story: 12:30 
Fern’s Stoner Story: 16:10 
Celines’s Stoner Story: 24:50
Hiring Stoners: 33:10
Best Stoner Foods: 45:30
Pinky’s Trip to Holland: 50:00 
Pinky’s Stoner Story: 59:55
Ryan’s Stoner Story: 1:07:35
Casey’s Stoner Movies: 1:12:35
Casey’s Stoner Story: 1:17:55