The Florist's Table

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 

In this episode of The Florist's Table: Beautiful People, Val McNichols sits down with Roberta Staggs, founder and lead designer of Hiawathia Floral Design Co. in Indianapolis — known for her modern, editorial-style floral work and fearless use of color. Roberta shares the story of her grandmother, whose weekly sunflower deliveries first showed her how healing flowers can be, and how a single floral workshop pulled her out of a medical career and into a creative one. She opens up about training under a strict European instructor (no foam allowed — the start of her eco-sustainable practice), her storytelling approach to Art in Bloom exhibitions, and her signature series, Fashion Meets Floristry. They also talk representation in the floral industry, why knowing your "why" matters more than any trend, and Roberta's mission to make beautiful flowers something for everyone, every day — not just weddings and funerals. It's a conversation about color, purpose, and showing up boldly in every space you enter. Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/beautiful-people-roberta-staggs

For the very first episode of Thorns & All, Abby Chick sits down with two people who changed the trajectory of her own business: Natalie Gill and Meg Blancato, co-owners of Native Poppy in San Diego. What started as one storefront (and a cold-call email that read "I don't have a lot of experience, but I'm a joy to be around") has grown into a floral powerhouse — retail shops, large-scale weddings, e-courses, a micro flower farm, a book on the way, and four locations by spring 2027. Abby, Natalie, and Meg dig into the real mechanics of a business partnership: how Meg went from brand-new employee to co-owner, why making it legal matters, how they divide and conquer a 20+ person team, and what it took to survive two floods, a car through the storefront, and a pandemic — together. Plus, their honest advice for any florist considering bringing on a partner. New episodes of Thorns & All, a Florist's Table series hosted by Abby Chick, are available wherever you get your podcasts.