In this episode, we explore the question many aspiring florists ask: should you work for someone else before starting your own business? We’ll dive into the importance of discomfort as a motivator, how working for others can limit your success, and why integrity and focus are key in building a lasting business. Drawing from personal experience, I’ll share insights on how investing in yourself, rather than relying on external validation, is the foundation for long-term success.

1:00 - Comfort kills dreams; you need discomfort to fuel success. 2:07 - Integrity: If you plan to leave, it's not fair to your employer. 2:48 - Entrepreneurs and employees think differently; you must commit to one path. 3:35 - The decision to start your business requires self-belief, not outside permission. 5:03 - Personal experience: Investing in yourself leads to long-term success. 6:25 - Focus on building a business that luxury clients want to work with.

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST

In this episode, we address a common barrier for florists: the belief that you must do everything yourself. This mindset can hold you back from creating consistent income and growing your business. We’ll discuss the importance of shifting your focus from just servicing to selling and scaling.

Through practical examples, we’ll highlight how delegation and creative solutions can transform your approach to floristry, allowing you to build a successful and sustainable business.

0:45 - Focus on creating consistent income and job security. 1:14 - Health issues causing self-doubt: waiting to feel better before pursuing opportunities. 2:08 - Entrepreneurs often sacrifice too much to feel worthy of success. 3:27 - Shift focus to selling and scaling instead of just servicing. 4:47 - Challenges can lead to building teams and changing old habits. 7:05 - Emphasize the CEO's role: sell first, then grow the team.

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST

In today’s episode, we explore the powerful connection between money mindset and charitable giving in business. Join us as we dive into how money blocks can affect your business decisions and keep you from reaching your true potential. I’ll share my journey of starting a nonprofit, Francie's Flower Friends, as an extension of my floral business, and how this venture not only enriched my life but also allowed me to give back to the community. We'll discuss the importance of aligning your business goals with a greater mission, the impact of community involvement, and the win-win benefits of corporate partnerships. Whether you're considering starting a charity or simply want to infuse your business with purpose, this episode will inspire you to think bigger about the impact you can create. 0:00 Money blocks in business: taking unwanted clients and undercharging. 0:40 The personal mission behind the floral business: making income and creating impact. 1:19 Launching a nonprofit, "Francie's Flower Friends," to donate flowers instead of throwing them away. 2:28 Involving the community in selecting charities to support each month. 3:50 Collaborating with corporate clients like Tiffany & Co. for charitable events and tax write-offs. 4:50 The benefits of the nonprofit as a sister business to the for-profit floral business. 5:30 Shifting money mindset: making more money leads to greater impact.

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST

In this episode, we tackle the age-old question for vendors: should you make an appointment to pitch your services or just show up at the hotel? Drawing from personal experience on both sides of the table, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each approach. Whether you feel more comfortable making an appointment or prefer taking direct action, you'll discover how each method can help you get closer to your goal of working with hotel decision-makers. Tune in for practical tips on how to navigate this choice and find out which strategy works best for you.

0:15 The difference between following protocol versus showing initiative and taking direct action. 1:05 How showing up can get faster results compared to making an appointment. 1:47 If making an appointment feels more comfortable for your approach, do it, but don’t let it become an excuse. 2:50 Both strategies (appointment or showing up) work, but showing up may create immediate engagement. 3:38  You can combine both approaches.

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST

In this episode, we dive into the complex world of hotel ownership and brand management. We'll debunk common misconceptions about whether hotel brands own their buildings and explore how most major hotel companies have shifted to an "asset-light" model. You'll learn how general managers navigate reporting to both property owners and the hotel brand, as well as the impact of brand transitions within larger chains. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of the key players in hotel operations and how they make decisions that affect your business.

0:00 Clearing up misconceptions about whether hotel brands own their buildings.

0:11 The distinction between hotel brands managing properties and owning assets.

0:34 How hotel brands became "asset-light" by selling off properties to focus on brand management.

1:59 Examples of smaller, boutique hotel brands like Corinthia, which still own their assets.

2:32 Why GMs have two bosses: the property owner and the hotel brand.

4:01 Understanding brand transitions and tiers within larger hotel chains.

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST

In this episode, we dive into the world of hotel management to explore the hierarchy and responsibilities within a hotel brand. We’ll break down the role of the General Manager (GM), how they oversee property operations, and why they're the key decision-makers when it comes to vendor partnerships, like florists. Using real-world examples, including Jeff Leatham's unique collaboration with Four Seasons, we’ll uncover how understanding this hierarchy can help you secure valuable contracts and grow your business within the hospitality industry.

0:30 Understanding the role of the General Manager at a hotel and how it differs from corporate levels. 1:05 The hierarchy within hotel management, from the GM to the regional VP and the president of the hotel brand. 2:11 The importance of connecting with the General Manager when pursuing floral contracts at the property level. 3:22 How asset management companies interact with GMs and impact decision-making. 4:38 A real-world example of Jeff Leatham's partnership with Four Seasons and how floral vendors navigate property-specific agreements.

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST

In this episode, we'll dive into the essential steps for successfully landing a floral contract with luxury hotels. You'll learn how to familiarize yourself with the hotel's layout, uncover hidden opportunities, and confidently navigate your way to the decision-makers. By experiencing the hotel as a guest, you'll discover how to tailor your proposal to match their unique needs and stand out from the competition. Whether you're new to hotel floral design or looking to elevate your approach, this episode is packed with insights to help you secure your next big client. 0:00 How to become familiar with a hotel before meeting with the General Manager 0:32 Overcoming intimidation when entering luxury hotels 1:05 Navigating the hotel as a guest to identify floral opportunities 5:00 Spotting floral design needs in various hotel areas like the lobby, restaurant, and bathrooms 6:34 Exploring additional hotel outlets, such as the spa and gym, for more opportunities 8:10 Crafting a personalized floral pitch for the General Manager based on firsthand experience

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST

Welcome to today’s episode where we’re unraveling a common misconception in the hospitality world: the difference between hotel brands and hotel owners. Many people assume that the hotel brand and the property owner are the same, but they actually play distinct roles. We’ll explore how hotel brands manage operations and uphold standards, while property owners focus on their return on investment. Understanding this separation is crucial, especially if you're a vendor or service provider working with hotels. We’ll also discuss why fostering relationships with General Managers can open doors to new opportunities and ensure you're meeting the brand’s standards. Tune in to gain insights that will help you navigate and succeed in the complex hotel landscape.

0:20 The distinction between a hotel brand and owner

1:00 The roles of hotel developers and design teams

2:52 Owners focus on return on investment 

3:09 Brand’s responsibilities and contractual obligations

6:10 Role of the General Manager

7:28 The importance of meeting brand standards

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST

In today's episode, we're exploring the complexities of determining a hotel's floral budget. Discover why there isn't an "average" spend when it comes to hotel florals, as budgets can range dramatically based on factors like location, brand, and the owner's priorities. We'll share insights on how to uncover a hotel's floral budget through strategic conversations and observation, and why focusing on creating a memorable guest experience is more important than fixating on a specific number. Learn how to position yourself as a valuable partner to hotels and tailor your floral proposals to meet their unique needs.

0:30 Why there is no standard budget for hotel florals

0:50 The important of creating a memorable experience

1:15 Budgets are determined by multiple factors

2:34 Strategies to determine a hotel’s budget

4:02 My experience with hotel floral budgets

5:11 How to adapt to different budget scenarios 

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST

In this episode, we dive into the importance of conducting a thorough hotel walkthrough before approaching the General Manager with your floral services. You'll learn how this crucial step helps you identify opportunities to add value, assess the quality and impact of the existing floral arrangements, and gather insights on potential improvements. We'll also discuss how to use these observations to build confidence in your pitch, craft a personalized approach, and ensure your proposal is authentic and aligned with the hotel's needs. Join us as we explore strategies to make your floral pitch stand out and win over potential clients.

0:30 Identify opportunities and gaps in the hotel's floral setup 

1:22 Assess the quality and impact of existing floral arrangements

2:48 Gather insights on current floral needs and issues 

4:54 Leverage bbservations to build confidence for your pitch 

5:22 Craft a personalized approach using your observations 

6:12 Ensure authenticity and alignment in your pitch 

If you enjoyed today's episode and want to dive deeper into strategies to grow your floral business, sign up for the free masterclass where I'll share even more tips and insider secrets to help you get started as a hotel florist. New Episodes every Tuesday & Thursday at 9 am CST