The Florist's Table

In this episode of The Florist's Table: Beautiful People, Val McNichols sits down with Yanique Shaw, founder and CEO of Boston Flower Co., a floral and workshop studio that's become a creative hub for weddings, events, floral education, and community. Yanique shares how she went from a marketing career to launching a flower business at the very start of the pandemic, and how a studio search turned a former parking lot into a neighborhood flower shop. She opens up about resilience, moving past imposter syndrome, representation in the floral industry, and why she still freelances for her mentors. Plus, Yanique shares what's next, including plans for a floral vending kiosk. Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/beautiful-people-yanique-shaw

Abby Chick sits down with Bart Hassam, 2019 Interflora World Cup champion and owner of three flower shops in Brisbane, Australia, for a conversation about where floral design trends come from and where they're headed. Bart shares his path from his grandmother's garden in Queensland to ten years as a design assistant in Japan to the World Cup stage. He explains why copying the masters is one of the best ways to learn, and why formal floral education still matters even when it looks dated. Abby also asks the question every florist scrolling Pinterest has been wondering about: what are these hydrangea mounds called? Bart traces today's floral sculpture trend back to 1970s and '80s competition work, and explains why proportion is what separates great work from a knockoff. Plus: his take on dry stemming and why every bouquet leaving his shop gets a water source, the Australian designers he recommends following, and what's next, including a new shop and flower school in Brisbane.

In this episode of The Florist's Table: Beautiful People, Val McNichols sits down with Tammy Porto, founder and creative director of Wild Nomad Flower Co., a northern New Jersey studio known for its editorial-inspired designs, immersive brand activations, and artful approach to weddings and events. Tammy shares her wildly non-linear path into floristry — from screenwriting and film casting to branding and web design — and how buying a flower truck three months after having her son (right before COVID parked it in her garage for two years) turned into the business of her dreams. She opens up about imposter syndrome, finding her aesthetic through large-scale installations and floral-scaping, and the years of invested skill people never see behind the work. Plus, Tammy announces her brand-new second business, Wild Revivals — a grand, production-style event design studio. It's a conversation about creativity, reinvention, and trusting the pull toward what's yours. Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/beautiful-people-tammy-porto

Abby Chick sits down with Alex Vaughan, owner of FLWR Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, for a conversation that gets right to the heart of what Thorns & All is about: the real, unfiltered side of running a flower business. Alex shares why she walked away from big-budget weddings and events to go all-in on retail — and how that pivot gave her back her weekends, her creative energy, and a customer base that aligns with her values. She's candid about what speaking up has cost her, how she grew FLWR Shop's social media without losing her voice, and the hiring philosophy that keeps her team strong: a love of beauty, attention to detail, and a willingness to wash buckets. Plus: rebuilding after a tornado destroyed her first shop, the Nicole Kidman Practical Magic moment, and what's next — a farm, and a long-awaited step into education and consulting. New episodes of Thorns & All, a Florist's Table series hosted by Abby Chick, are available wherever you get your podcasts. Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/thorns-and-all-alex-vaughan

Thinking about going freelance in the floral industry? You're not alone - many florists are choosing this path to build careers that reflect their creativity and values. But how do you actually make it work? In this episode, Clarissa Marchia and Kate Truhlar share with host, Yvonne Ashton, the strategies that helped them build thriving freelance careers. From leveraging social media to find your first clients, to networking within the floral community, to understanding your worth and pricing confidently - they cover the real-world tactics that matter. Whether you're just starting out or reconsidering your current business model, you'll hear practical advice on setting your fee, building your portfolio, and creating a fulfilling freelance career. Pull up a chair at The Florist's Table for honest insights into what it takes to succeed as a freelance florist. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/5-tips-for-successful-floral-freelance-career