Claim OwnershipThe Business & Pleasure of Flowers
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© 2025 The Business & Pleasure of Flowers
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Join Vonda LaFever and Lori Wilson as they share expert advice, insider tips, and a whole lot of fun on all things floral. While everyone loves flowers, running a floral business can come with its fair share of challenges that might make you lose sight of the joy it brings. In this engaging and informative podcast, Vonda’s wealth of floral expertise pairs perfectly with Lori’s background in teaching, sales training, and life coaching to deliver valuable insights you can use right away.
From industry trends and the flower shop of the future to overcoming obstacles like boosting sales and building a stellar customer service team, they’ve got you covered. Discover how small shifts in your mindset and approach can create big transformations in your business and life.
Hit subscribe to put the pleasure back into your life, go back to loving flowers, find fresh inspiration, and bring the joy back to your business!
306 Episodes
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Episode 304: This week, Lori and Vonda catch up on life, caregiving, and the whirlwind of a recent Italy wedding trip before diving into the timeless wisdom of Mr. Rogers. Together, they reflect on his lessons of empathy, dignity, and human connection, exploring how to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover the beauty of wonder in today’s noisy world. This episode is a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and find joy in the simple, meaningful moments that truly elevate life. Sponsored by: F...
Episode 303: Society of American Florist (SAF) CEO Kate Penn joins Lori and Vonda to unpack what’s really happening in floral retail—rising consumer spend, experience-driven shopping, value-aligned buying, and how smart shops are winning with culture, training, and tighter ops. We hit staffing + succession, smaller holidays, practical website/SEO moves, SAF’s advocacy updates, and a sneak peek at SAF’s new AI “coach.” Actionable, optimistic, and real. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower...
Episode 302: One of the questions we hear most often when we're out at shows, conventions, and symposiums is: “So…what is Flower Clique?” In this episode, Vonda and Lori sit down with Ellie LaFever and Kami Martin to answer that question once and for all. From the why behind Flower Clique’s creation, to the specific ways we help florists simplify inventory, increase profitability, and strengthen their digital presence, this conversation dives into what makes Flower Clique more than just ...
Episode 301: What’s it really like to work in a family-owned business? In this episode, Lori chats with Mimi Pacheco, Marketing and Communications at Jet Fresh Flowers, about the unique joys and challenges of being part of companies built on family legacies. From the trust, flexibility, and sense of belonging that come with working in a close-knit environment, to the blurred boundaries, communication hurdles, and work-life balance struggles—it’s all on the table. Lori and Mimi share their per...
Episode 300: Three hundred episodes later—wow! What started as a “let’s try it for a year” experiment has turned into a five-year journey filled with laughter, lessons, and lots of love for the floral community. In this special episode, Vonda and Lori reflect on what they’ve learned along the way: the joy of authentic connection, the quirks of podcasting, and the importance of patience (in business and in life). From hilarious behind-the-scenes moments to heartfelt takeaways about kindness, c...
Episode 299: In this lighthearted and thoughtful episode, Vonda and Lori kick things off with karaoke night plans, road trip shenanigans, and a few laughs before diving into something we all wrestle with—morning routines. Inspired by an article on 10 simple habits that quietly make you unstoppable, they share personal stories, practical reflections, and how even small changes like making your bed, stepping outside for a few minutes of sunlight, or choosing three priorities can set the to...
Episode 298: Lori’s voice is back—and so is the chatter across the floral world. In this episode, Vonda and Lori sit down with industry leader and President of Bill Doran Company, Bill LaFever, to unpack the big announcement combining Bill Doran Company and DWF, Denver Wholesale Florist, and what it really means for retail florists. Bill shares his family’s 80-year story—from his grandfather’s one-station-wagon route to 38 locations —and why the company’s true engine has always bee...
Episode 297: In this special solo episode, Vonda LaFever, AIFD, takes us on a heartfelt journey through her 50 years in the floral industry. From her very first Saturday job at a flower shop in Ames, Iowa, to building her own business alongside her husband, to founding Flower Clique, Vonda shares the lessons that shaped her career and her life. She reflects on mentors who taught her the importance of commitment, quality, and mechanics; the joy of teamwork and community; and the milestones tha...
Episode 296: Marketing is so much more than pretty Instagram posts – it’s the way your team answers the phone, the words you choose in an email, and the vibe customers feel when they walk through your door. In this workshop-style episode, Ellie LaFever PFCI, breaks down how to create intentional marketing that feels true to your brand and shows up consistently across every touchpoint. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by what to post, when to post it, or how to make your marketing feel mo...
Episode 295: In this episode Vonda and Lori share their takeaways from the SAF Convention—highlighting programs, conversations, and connections that sparked inspiration. From co-presenting alongside industry leader Tim Farrell AIFD, PFCI, AAF, CFD on growing sympathy profits with intention, to navigating questions about grief, empathy, and how to confidently guide families in honoring loved ones, this episode blends heartfelt reflection with practical business strategies. Plus, hear stor...
Episode 294: What happens when three generations come together for a week-long Flower Clique photo shoot? Lori and Vonda are joined by Ellie and Vonda’s granddaughter Leighton for a heartwarming (and often hilarious) conversation about working side-by-side, social media through different generations’ eyes, and the unexpected skills that keep a creative team running smoothly—DoorDash expertise included. From behind-the-scenes flower arranging to generational personality quirks, this episo...
Episode 293: In this solo episode, Vonda steps in while Lori waits to see if she is selected for jury duty—and uses the moment to talk about something every florist (and human) deals with: deadlines. From painting before houseguests arrive to preparing a flower shop for fall and holiday events, Vonda shares why deadlines aren’t the enemy—they’re actually a powerful tool for reducing stress, aligning your team, and getting real work done. You’ll hear practical ways to break down big proje...
Episode 292: Lori returns from her unforgettable trip to Scotland and Ireland—packed with castles, cobblestone streets, walking tours, pub chats, and even an ancient gospel manuscript. She and Vonda reflect on the joy of cultural exploration, the value of unplugging, and the unexpected tug of floral FOMO, even when you’re surrounded by highland cows and Guinness. Back stateside, Vonda shares behind-the-scenes lessons from AIFD Symposium and what it means to lead with intentionality, obse...
Episode 291: What’s the #1 factor influencing your flower shop’s success? Spoiler: it’s not your flowers. In this episode, Lori dives deep into why your team is the most powerful profit driver in your business. From the power of first impressions to the role of education, empowerment, and authentic customer service, she shares real-world tips, data-backed insights, and even a clever BLOOM framework (courtesy of her AI assistant!) to help you build a team that turns one-time buyers into l...
Episode 290: Lori and Vonda kick off with a hilarious (and slightly traumatic) story that every light sleeper will understand—then dive into a list of powerful quotes that spark real conversation on growth, mindset, leadership, and control (or lack thereof). Whether you’re a flower shop owner, team leader, or just trying to make sense of your own journey, this episode reminds us we’re always changing, always learning, and definitely not alone. Get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even raise...
Episode 289: Recorded on Lori's birthday, Lori and Vonda are joined by the one and only Marlin Hargrove—freelance designer, industry educator, and master storyteller. What begins with bus-ride memories from a trip to Holland quickly unfolds into a deeply moving and wildly entertaining conversation. Marlin opens up about his 44-year journey through every corner of the floral industry—from shop floors and wholesale warehouses to addiction, recovery, and finding his place again through laug...
Episode 288: In this honest and behind-the-scenes episode, Vonda, Lori, and Ellie unpack the highs, lows, and lessons from Flower Clique’s most ambitious photo shoot to date—capturing Fall, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day collections in one marathon session. From binder chaos and perceived value challenges to hats and 13-hour shoot days, they share what made this shoot different—and harder—than ever before. You’ll hear how the team balanced creativity with profitability, dealt with design...
Episode 287: Lori and Vonda sit down with Amanda Jedlinsky, Senior Director of Content and Communications at the Society of American Florists (SAF), for a fun and insightful conversation about team building, the power of in-person events, and what attendees can expect from this year’s SAF Convention. They also dive into the value of industry networking, staying inspired, and why now is the time to invest in education—not pull back. A must-listen for anyone passionate about growing in the flor...
Episode 286: Lori and Vonda sit down with floral industry leaders and AIFD past presidents Lori Novak and Frank Feysa to talk all things AIFD Symposium. From personal stories of their first experiences to the evolution of the event into a must-attend educational powerhouse, this episode is filled with passion, insight, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of what makes AIFD so impactful. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a long-time member, you’ll walk away inspired to grow, connect, and...
Episode 285: In this inspiring conversation, Lori and Vonda welcome Monty Pereira, General Manager of Watanabe Floral, Inc. in Honolulu, Hawaii. Monty shares his journey from CPA to floral industry leader and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Watanabe Floral has grown into one of Hawaii’s most respected operations. They discuss the impact of Hawaiian culture on the business, the importance of staying true to core values, creating a customer-first mindset, managing a multi-generation...
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