Botanical Brouhaha Podcast

In episode 120, we have the pleasure of reconnecting with the incredible Francoise Weeks, whose hands weave magic with woodland designs. She's back with a treasure trove of wisdom in her new book, Wonder of the Woodlands: The Art of Seeing and Creating with Nature. It's a visual feast over 200 pages long, and trust us, it's a must-have for your collection. Francoise's zest for life is contagious. We're fortunate that she not only inspires us through her floral artistry, but also with her determination to overcome fear in order to live a life worth celebrating. In this conversation, she shares her secrets to staying active and maintaining a positive mindset, proving that age is just a number when it comes to living a full and vibrant life. This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust.  Click here to learn more.   Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.   

In this episode, Natalie & Meg, co-owners of Native Poppy, take us behind the scenes of their retail shops in San Diego, where they've created an immersive experience for their customers. In an effort to explain the price gap between flowers bought at locally-owned flower shops vs. large grocery store chains, they speak about the unique characteristics of their shops including the extensive training their team undergoes to become skilled floral artists and the seasonal art installations that transform their spaces into magical environments. This level of detail and dedication comes with significant costs, which Natalie and Meg are transparent about, especially considering the high expenses of operating in a city like San Diego. This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust.  Click here to learn more. Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.   

In this episode of the Botanical Brouhaha podcast, Amy McGee and Natalie Gill, the co-hosts, interview Marsha Parker, a seasoned teacher with a passion for history and culture. Marsha shares her experiences teaching around the world and her personal battle with cancer as a 3x survivor. She discusses how these experiences influenced her floral business, Refined Gatherings, which specializes in creating floral experiences for cancer survivors and others facing health challenges. The conversation explores Marsha's transition from teaching to floral design, her dedication to creating meaningful experiences, and her commitment to integrating beauty and healing into her work. The episode highlights Marsha's resilience, her fight for peace over fear, and her desire to impact lives positively through her craft. This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust. Doors open March 4-6, 2024.  Click here to learn more.   Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.   

In this podcast episode, flower farmer and author Lennie Larkin of B-Side Farm discusses her experiences in the flower farming industry, her book Flower Farming for Profit,  and her educational initiatives for other farmers. She talks about her transition from other careers to farming, the financial aspects of the business, and the importance of strategic planning and efficiency. Larkin also reflects on the personal challenges of relocating her farm and starting over in a new community. The episode includes a conversation about the value of data and business education in farming, as well as Larkin's vision for her website as a resource hub for flower farmers. If are a flower farmer or dream of being one someday, this conversation is packed with helpful information and resource recommendations.   This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust.  Click here to learn more.   Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.   

In this podcast episode, Amy and Natalie visit with flower shop owner Stacy K Ercan of Stacy K Floral in Rochester, New York. She shares about her shop expansion and business model which includes a collaborative space with a coffee counter, retail offerings, and a subscription service. Stacy also talks about how her background working with tents, events, and trade show exhibits helps her have an edge when bidding on events in her community. She discusses employee motivation, financial strategies, and the importance of diversifying revenue streams. And finally, she reveals some of her successful marketing strategies. This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: THE FLOWER FREELANCE INTENSIVE MARCH 18-22, 2024 A 5-day course for aspiring & experienced freelancers and floral design team members. Click here to learn more!   Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.   

In this episode of the BB podcast, Amy and Natalie talk with Lucy Hunter about her 20+ year career in landscape design and her newest book The Flower Hunter: Creating a floral love story inspired by the landscape. Lucy shares openly about her past burnout, her shift towards flower design, and her return to the landscapes that inspire her creativity. This conversation delves into the impact of age on creative confidence and the pressures of social media. Lucy shares how routines inspire her new ideas, while also detailing the logistics of a long-term landscape project that laid the foundation for her successful career. The episode reflects Lucy's belief that creatives need to carve their own path in the creative world. Leave us a voice or text message at https://fanlist.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.   

In this podcast episode, Amy & Natalie conclude Season 7 with a Q&A session centered around listeners' questions. Natalie shares insights on pricing strategies, staff payment, and the benefits of an a la carte menu in the floral industry. She also discusses the challenges of balancing motherhood and business. And, finally, Amy and Natalie emphasize the importance of networking, reviews, and open discussions about industry topics. A special thanks to Madrid Flower School for collaborating with Botanical Brouhaha in 2023 to bring Season 7 to fruition. This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.     

Floral designer Carrington Winkelmann, owner of The Farmer & I in the Texas Hill Country, shares her journey from college days dreaming to starting her own flower business with her flower farming husband, Grant. She discusses the challenges and rewards of running a business, including managing inventory, managing client expectations, and pricing her services. Carrington shares her dream for the future, which includes housing all parts of her business with her husband on one piece of land where they could also offer agritourism experiences. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and purpose for her business, and shares how the slowdown during the pandemic allowed her to rediscover her love for flowers and the purpose they serve in connecting people. Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.   

In this podcast episode, a seasoned rooftop flower farmer (yes, you heard that right - she farms on rooftops) shares extensive experience in agriculture. Joanna Letz, owner of Bluma Flower Farm, discusses the transition from traditional farming to rooftop farming, the unique challenges it presents, and the logistics involved. She also talks about her business, which includes a variety of offers such as retail, direct-to-consumer sales, weddings, events, and teaching. Joanna emphasizes the importance of taking risks for personal and professional growth, even in the face of skepticism. Despite the financial challenges faced by farmers, she remains motivated to evolve her business to fulfill her desires. This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.       

In BB Podcast Episode 111, Abby Daigle, owner of Stems Floral Design & Event Styling in Austin, Texas shares her journey from growing up in the events industry at the venue owned by her family to starting her own floral business. She discusses her love for weddings, the services her company offers, and her business model, which includes a showroom for full-service wedding clients and important relationships with industry vendors. She also talks about her team structure, hiring process, and industry role models. And, Abby shares an interesting perspective on centerpiece mockups which she finds to be a powerful tool for building trust and excitement with her clients. Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.   

In this podcast episode, we visit with Rachel Nafis, owner of Psalter Farm Flowers, an urban flower farm in San Diego. Rachel shares a behind the scenes look at her unique business model. She grows flowers in her neighbors' yards and then supplies San Diego shops and florists with her local grown flowers. Rachel discusses the challenges and rewards of farming in an urban setting, the importance of community and connections, and the ecological impact of her work. She also talks about her transition from nursing to farming and the joy she finds in sharing her love for gardening with others. The episode highlights Rachel's dedication and the positive impact her business is having on the neighborhood. This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.     

In Episode 109, Botanical Brouhaha Podcast co-hosts Amy and Natalie welcome guest Graeme Corbett of Bloom & Burn back to the show. They discuss Graeme's shift towards working mostly with British-grown flowers and he reflects on his decision to scale back the number of weddings he accepts while incorporating more teaching into his business model. They touch on what led to Graeme's decision to move to the Kent countryside with his partner and how he's adapted to a slower pace of life. They also talk about the impact difficult life experiences can have on business operations. Graeme shares how taking time for self-reflection helped him redirect his focus and gain significant traction in his business. The episode wraps up with details of Graeme's workshops and classes, his aspirations of publishing a book, and the role of social media in his work. Bloom & Burn Instagram Bloom & Burn Website Leave us a voice or text message at https://podinbox.com/botanicalbrouhaha. You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill. This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.         

In the first episode of Season 7, Amy and Natalie (Native Poppy founder) share what led to the strong bond between them which ultimately led to Natalie becoming the co-host of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast. Setting the stage for their new podcast format, Amy and Natalie dive into their hopes for the podcast including a shared desire for more laughter and deeply honest conversations around topics that impact flower business owners. They introduce their guest, Rachel Bridgwood, co-owner of Sweet Root Village, who will facilitate Circle Weddings Fall 2023 with her business partner Lauren Anderson. Rachel discusses the challenges and successes of running a floral business and the importance of community and support. The episode concludes with Amy and Natalie inviting listeners to join the Sweet Root Village co-founders in Circle Weddings.   Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) and Natalie Gill (Native Poppy) BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee Music Written and Performed by: Landon McGee This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: Madrid Flower School

After taking a few months off to rest and reflect, the podcast is back! And we have a new co-host you're going to love! The first episode of Season 7 will drop on September 6th and we couldn't be more excited to hit the ground running. We've missed our chats!

Overcoming the fear of starting and financing a new business idea Learning the basics of business startup Testing the popup concept The importance of packaging at a popup Bringing the skill of fashion buying to a flower shop The power of asking questions Building a team Becoming a mother while running a business LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 107: Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising  Gansevoort Market Tori Burch Foundation Fleishman is in Trouble FOLLOW POPUPFLORIST: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MADRID FLOWER SCHOOL   Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English. Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.) BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

Today's Guest: Yasamin Salavatian  Topic: Brand Communication in True You Fashion If you're struggling to find the words to convey who you are and what you do, today's episode is for you! We can't wait for you to meet Yasamin Salavatian, Yasi for short. She describes her expertise like this: "I partner with you to bring words to your vision, leading you to differentiate your brand from the sea of…well, let’s face it - drab. As a Storytelling Strategist (and your Partner-in-Communication), my role willfully challenges traditional marketing rhetoric, (re)defining your messaging and positioning to fit you like a glove." The result? You end up with a dynamic, cross-collateral, custom-made brand communication strategy that grows with you as you evolve with your business. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Hannah Lowery (Ep. 99) | Edges Wild Studio | Read the Case Study Amy Balsters | The Floral Coach Tiffany Weinbender | Ida Mayes Floral Design House | Read the Case Study Rachel Bridgwood & Lauren Anderson (Ep. 69) | Sweet Root Village Emily Ventura Designs Upwell Strategies Summer Suleiman | Read the Case Study Bijou Creative Erika Parker Boudoir Photography | Read the Case Study Jilliane Yawney | Read the Case Study FOLLOW YASI: Website Instagram Pinterest Linkedin Looking for a little more guidance from Yasi? Here it is! 5 Ways to Build Your Personal Brand from Scratch This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BLOOM TRUST CO. A curated collection of floral resources you can trust.  Click here to learn more. Host: Amy McGee (Founder: Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.) BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee  

Today we’re visiting with Amy Dunlap, owner of Stemz, Inc. in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Amy never could seem to avoid the draw of flower shop jobs in high school and college. After studying horticulture in college and getting a Masters degree in Agricultural Education and Communication, she opened a home-based floral design business to service weddings and events and eventually bought a building to house her business. Following her intuition, Amy decided to close her shop in 2018. But she didn't sit idle for long before pursuing a new floral endeavor - creating Stemz, a platform to help strengthen the local cut flower supply chain by cultivating connectivity between US farms & floral creatives.   Join us as we talk with Amy about: Taking the first steps toward bringing a large and complicated vision to life The advantages of having co-founders who represent different facets of the floral profession Understanding the importance of distribution in making local flowers accessible to florists The challenge of building supply consistency when selling local flowers to florists Adding Stemz staff members who can build relationships with designers and learn their needs The importance of loving the problem your business is trying to solve Building a business slowly so you can adapt the model based on the results you're getting Editing your services to avoid distractions that keep you from growing and staying true to your message LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 105: Slow Flowers Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) Chapel Designers Holly Chapple Bloom Trust Co Grand Floridian Hotel / Walt Disney World FOLLOW STEMZ: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK MEET THE STEMZ TEAM: Amy Dunlap (Stemz Founder) / Amy Lynne Originals Claire Parrish (Stemz CFO) / Heritage Harvest Farms India LoFaso (Stemz Business Development) Lindsay Potter (Stemz Operations) / Piper + Fig TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: EveryStem EveryStem florist software has the power to change the way you price and order flowers for a profit. Here’s what floral designers are saying about their EveryStem experience: “The rewards have been incredible. 2021 was our most profitable year of our 14 years in business because of EveryStem.” Ashley Fox, Ashley Fox Designs “I love using this software program- I have really reduced my tendency to overbuy and have improved my profit margins by at least 10% since starting it. I tell everyone who asks for a better way to do recipes and pricing that it is worth it!”  Kira Barker, All in the Details Flowers Host: Amy McGee (Bloom Trust Co.) BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee  

Today we’re visiting with Tina Sharpe, owner of Living Fresh Home Goods & Flower Shop in St. Jacobs, Ontario. Tina has woven together a business model uniquely built on her life experiences - first managing garden centers and greenhouses, then studying floral and interior design, and ultimately finding the love of her life, moving her business to the charming Village of St. Jacobs, and restructuring to a 4-day work week alongside her husband which leaves time for travel and rest.   If you find yourself wondering how business challenges, setbacks, and redirections can strengthen your flower business and lead to the life you really want to live, Tina's story will encourage you to keep moving forward while holding on to the things that are important to you. Join us as we talk with Tina about: The challenges and evolution of sourcing flowers in her area Learning to find balance by recognizing her personal capacity Moving her business to an area that fits her personal and professional values Changing her tagline to reflect the progression of Living Fresh Changing her processes to meet her personal goals Relieving herself of dread by listening and acting on her gut The importance of finding community with other flower professionals LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 105: Chapel Designers Erin Benzakein | Floret The Local Flower Collective Shopify FOLLOW LIVING FRESH: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MADRID FLOWER SCHOOL Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English. Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.) BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

Today we’re visiting with Brittany Sarhage, owner of Rudy's Flower Truck in St. Louis, Missouri. Brittany embodies the courage and tenacity most of us wish we had. She started a flower truck business with no prior experience in the industry and has continued to steadily grow the business while caring for both her customers and her city. Join us as we talk with Brittany about: How she came to own 2 flower trucks with no prior floristry experience Why she wanted to start her business in St. Louis Learning while building a business The advantages and challenges of owning the trucks she chose for her business (and why the advantages outweigh the challenges) The value of finding other mobile business owners to get insights into the mobile business model One thing she'd change if she could do it over What it takes to make a flower truck profitable Where she gained the confidence to own and run a flower business LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 104: International Institute US Small Business Administration (SBA) The Wandering Sidecar Bar Company Natalie Gill | Native Poppy Mayesh FOLLOW RUDY'S FLOWER TRUCK: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: EveryStem EveryStem florist software has the power to change the way you price and order flowers for a profit. Here’s what floral designers are saying about their EveryStem experience: “The rewards have been incredible. 2021 was our most profitable year of our 14 years in business because of EveryStem.” Ashley Fox, Ashley Fox Designs “I love using this software program- I have really reduced my tendency to overbuy and have improved my profit margins by at least 10% since starting it. I tell everyone who asks for a better way to do recipes and pricing that it is worth it!”  Kira Barker, All in the Details Flowers Host: Amy McGee (Bloom Trust Co.) BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

Today we’re visiting with Felicia Alvarez, owner of Menagerie Farm & Flower in the Sacramento Valley of California. Felicia returned to the prune farm she grew up on to raise her own children there —and decided to add a rose farm and nursery to the property. She's a committed advocate for fellow flower farmers. Join us as we talk with Felicia about: Breaking into rose farming Staffing for the ebb and flow of flower farming Scheduling and hiring for efficiency Learning the logistics and challenges of shipping a perishable product Advocating for American flower farms Growing a business while growing a family Navigating the pandemic as a flower farmer & nursery owner The importance of labeling flower shipments with the country of origin LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 103: FloraFresh Inc Gather Flora California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA FOLLOW & LEARN FROM MENAGERIE FARM & FLOWER:   WEBSITE INSTAGRAM THE MENAGERIE ACADEMY WORKSHOPS & EVENTS FACEBOOK PINTEREST TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MADRID FLOWER SCHOOL Want to study floral design in Europe? Madrid Flower School offers contemporary and traditional styles and techniques with 10 instructors. Check out the professional program which also includes photography, styling, and business essentials. Offered in both Spanish and English. Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha + Bloom Trust Co.) BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Grayson McGee Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee