Claim OwnershipThe Business & Pleasure of Flowers
Subscribed: 32Played: 1,407
Subscribe
© 2026 The Business & Pleasure of Flowers
Description
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!
332 Episodes
Reverse
Episode 329: This one might sting a little. Lori and Vonda are saying the quiet part out loud—sharing the hard truths flower shop owners need to hear but rarely do. From not knowing your numbers, to blaming your team, to staying stuck in design instead of actually running your business… this episode pulls no punches. If your shop feels chaotic, inconsistent, or like it’s not growing the way it should—there’s a reason. And it’s probably not what you think. This isn’t about tearing anyone ...
Episode 328: After Easter reflections (and a few stories involving pools, squirrels, and unexpected repairs), Lori and Vonda dive into a conversation that hits close to home for every business owner - control. From slow seasons in flower shops to tough leadership decisions and the emotional weight that comes with them, they unpack the constant tension between what you can control and what you simply have to release. Whether it’s sales, customer reactions, team dynamics, or even your own expec...
Episode 327: If social media feels overwhelming, confusing, or like one more thing on your already full plate, this episode is for you. Lori and Vonda sit down with Chris Grigas and Karrie Wallace, both from the Bill Doran Company team working from different locations, to have a real, honest conversation about what’s actually working right now on Instagram and Facebook for florists. From struggling to post and feeling behind on trends to understanding what the algorithm is really favori...
Episode 326: In this episode, Vonda and Lori welcome Vanessa Leite, Executive Director of That Flower Feeling, for a timely conversation about the industry-wide marketing movement designed to keep flowers top-of-mind beyond the “marrying and burying” peaks. Vanessa shares her nonprofit leadership journey, how the initiative launched with a bold industry investment, and why the goal is bigger than a single campaign—it’s about building everyday flower-buying into modern life. You’ll hear what’s...
Episode 325: Registration is officially open — and we’re celebrating with a behind-the-scenes conversation you won’t want to miss. In this episode, Vonda and Lori sit down with Randy Wooten AIFD, co-coordinator of the AIFD Symposium, to talk candidly about what it really takes to bring Symposium to life. From how the Elevate theme was born, to the three-year planning process, to the responsibility (and heart) behind creating a welcoming, inclusive experience for first-timers and seasone...
Episode 324: What do jelly beans, golf course comfort stations, and customer service have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Vonda and Lori dive into the subtle habits that build trust with customers - whether you’re working in a flower shop, retail store, or any customer-facing business. Inspired by recent research and real experiences from the floral industry, they explore the small but powerful ways people decide whether they trust you… often within just seconds. F...
Episode 323: In a world where we can learn anything online, is it still worth leaving your shop to attend a floral conference? After returning from the Great Lakes Floral Expo, Lori shares what truly happens when you step out from behind the counter and show up in person. From unexpected hugs at the booth to meaningful hallway conversations, this episode explores the kind of connection, confidence, and inspiration that simply can’t be recreated on a screen. Vonda and Lori talk about the ...
Episode 322: What makes you instantly leery of a person or situation - and why does your gut matter more than you think? In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Vonda, Lori, and Ellie unpack the meaning of being “leery,” from fast-talking salespeople and sketchy orders to AI, customer behavior, and everyday red flags we’ve all learned to recognize. Inspired by everything from Olympic backstories to Valentine’s Day scams, door-to-door sales, restaurant etiquette, and even Mount Ever...
Episode 321: Broken trust doesn’t just hurt—it reshapes how we see people, relationships, and ourselves. In this episode, Vonda and Lori talk candidly about betrayal in friendships, mentorships, and the workplace, especially during high-stress seasons like Valentine’s Day. They explore why emotional pain mirrors physical pain, how kindness restores psychological safety, and why healing starts with acknowledgment, boundaries, and compassion—for others and for ourselves. Sponsored by: Flower C...
Episode 320: Valentine’s Day brings out fascinating human behavior. In this episode, Vonda and Lori unpack bizarre psychology facts, from confidence bias and mood-based judgments to decision-making under stress - and how understanding them can elevate customer service, communication, and sales during the busiest floral season of the year. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist
Episode 319: Kindness is a free investment with the highest returns — so why don't more florists treat it that way? Inspired by Warren Buffett's philosophy, Vonda and Lori dive into how small acts of kindness can transform your customer service, team culture, and productivity. With real-life stories and science-backed insights, this episode will change how you think about what it takes to build lasting loyalty. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist
Episode 318: In this episode, Lori and Ellie sit down for a candid (and slightly unfiltered) conversation we’re calling Clique Conference Confessions. From hydrangea disasters, to needing all the Zofran, to unforgettable field trips, they reflect on past years of SAF's Next Gen conferences – from Miami to San Diego to Dallas – and what to expect this year for Raleigh, coming up on February 22–24, 2026. We talk honestly about showing up unsure, leaving inspired, and the unexpected magic that h...
Episode 317: Valentine’s Day is the busiest and most important holiday of the year for florists, and preparation makes all the difference. Vonda and Lori walk you through a full Valentine’s Day staff meeting, just as they would with their own teams. From customer service reminders and sales scripts to design productivity, cooler strategy, delivery expectations, and social media ideas, this episode is packed with practical guidance you can use immediately. They cover pricing confidence, upsell...
Episode 316: In this episode, Lori and Vonda flip their 2025 Bingo Cards and reflect on what actually got done, what didn’t, and why that matters. From surprise home projects and travel wins to the realities of burnout, distraction, and the importance of being “bored,” the conversation turns thoughtful, honest, and relatable. They also look at Flower Clique’s business goals, where progress was made, and where clarity and systems still need work. The episode wraps with a little industry “...
Episode 315: In this special anniversary episode, Vonda, Lori, Ellie, and Kami gather to celebrate six years of Business & Pleasure of Flowers. They share heartfelt (and hilarious) holiday stories, reflect on how “Amplify” shaped the past year—including the tariff pivot—and brainstorm what Flower Clique’s Word of the Year for 2026 should be. The episode wraps with proud, goosebump moments: member wins, community connections, and the impact that keeps the team energized for what’s ne...
Episode 314: Ellie’s back as the resident trend predictor, and this episode is all about what’s coming next for 2026, before your customers start asking for it. Lori, Vonda, and Ellie dig into Pinterest Predicts 2026 (yes, the data-driven one) and compare it to floral-industry trend insights, pulling out what actually matters for florists and flower shop owners. From the internet’s strong opinions on the “color of the year,” to cool blue taking over everything, to vintage details making ...
Episode 313: It’s almost Christmas, the packages are at the mercy of FedEx and UPS, and Lori’s dad is calling two days before the holiday wondering if he should buy gifts for all the grandkids. In other words, peak season energy. In this episode, Lori brings a list she found called “10 signs you’re mentally strong (but may not realize it)” and the conversation turns into a surprisingly relatable look at mental toughness, what it really means, how it changes with age, and why it matters so muc...
Episode 312: Lori and Vonda lean into the chaos of the holiday season and tackle a topic every florist can relate to, what your customer service voice needs to say vs. what you wish you could say. From last-minute delivery requests to “I don’t care, you decide” customers who definitely care, they share laugh-out-loud moments from the flower shop—and the thoughts that stay safely inside our heads. Along the way, they talk through simple, real-world ways to handle busy holiday calls with c...
Episode 311: In this episode Ellie sits down with Angelique Witcher, Director of Marketing at Accent Decor, to talk all things branding and elevating your business in 2026 – especially if you’re a floral retailer or designer. Angelique shares how her background in fashion, design, and global culture informs Accent Decor’s brand vision, and walks us through their recent rebrand – from clarifying their core customer buckets (flower, plant, and home) to making sure every touchpoint, from website...
Episode 310: In this heartfelt episode, Lori and Vonda open up about the emotional side of customer service—especially during the busy holiday season. They remind us that not every upset customer is truly angry; some are overwhelmed, hurting, or simply lonely. With gentle guidance and real examples from the floral industry, they share how a simple pause, a calm tone, and a little kindness can completely change an interaction. It’s a warm reminder that the way we show up for others matter...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States