In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 144), we're visiting with Evelyn Krebs, a Swiss florist, shop owner, and creative entrepreneur with nearly three decades of experience in the floral industry. As founder and owner of Stil & Stiele in Zurich, Switzerland, Evelyn shares what 25 years of shop ownership taught her about growth, courage, and building a business that actually supports your life.

We talk about her unconventional path—from apprenticing in the late 1990s to owning a long-running flower shop in Zurich, launching a concept-driven retail store, and reimagining what a sustainable, values-aligned floral business can look like. This conversation explores courage, redefining success, and building a business that truly serves your life—not just industry expectations.

Whether you're a florist questioning traditional shop hours, dreaming of a different retail model, or simply craving permission to do things your own way, this episode offers thoughtful perspective and real-world insight.

• her journey into floristry and opening her first flower shop in Zurich
• using farmers markets as a high-end marketing and client acquisition tool
• balancing creative work, management, and personal health
• the impact of staffing, scale, and "growth at all costs" thinking
• why fewer employees can sometimes mean higher profit and less stress
• building a second, non-floral concept shop with higher margins and fewer demands
• flexible staffing models using shared calendars and trust-based systems
• selling emotion and experience rather than just products
• redefining success over a long career
• courage, boundaries, and opting out of the hamster wheel
• self-service flower shops and retail models in Switzerland

• TimeTree App – Shared scheduling tool
• Poschtilädeli – Evelyn's second shop

• Website
• Instagram
• Evelyn's second shop, Poschtilädeli

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 today's BB Podcast episode (No. 143), we're visiting with Evelyn Streeter, founder and owner of Eve Floral Co in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our conversation follows Evelyn's deeply personal and inspiring journey as a florist who grew up in the middle of the hum of her mother's small-town flower shop in Michigan.

What began as a family trade became both a lifeline and a legacy when Evelyn unexpectedly took over the business after her mother's passing. Years later, she built her own thriving floral company in Cincinnati—complete with a studio, retail space, and loyal community. But now, standing at a crossroads, Evelyn is considering something few florists ever talk about: selling her business. This conversation unfolds like a love letter to the flower industry—its grit, its heart, and the quiet courage it takes to know when to keep growing and when to let go.

• Her family roots in Detroit and the flower shop that shaped her path
• Taking over her late mother's shop as a young college student and learning business by survival
• The emotional and financial realities of running a business solo
• What it's really like to consider selling your flower business—and why it doesn't mean failure
• How she's preparing her shop and team for a future beyond her own ownership
• The practical process of valuing and selling a small floral business
• Why success can sometimes mean walking away with gratitude

• Website
• Instagram
• Eve Floral Co Shop Instagram

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 today's BB Podcast episode (No. 134), we're visiting with Karla Smith-Brown, founder of Olivee Floral.

Karla's inspiring journey evolved from a career in public relations to becoming a successful floral artist. Her story isn't just about flowers; it's about weaving passion, sustainability, and heritage with personal connections to make a powerful impact.

Starting out, Karla offered pop-up events and hand-tied bouquets, gradually building her brand (named after her great grandmother, Medorah Olivee Wright). With a design aesthetic influenced by her Jamaican heritage, she developed a signature wild yet refined style. As Olivee Floral grew, Karla began to view flowers as a medium for art, not just for traditional events. Now, she works with brands like Vogue, Birkenstock, and Nike, often being sought out because of the strong professional relationships she's built and the unique design aesthetic she's developed.

• the significance of using locally grown and sustainable flowers for funeral arrangements
• addressing the challenges and taboos surrounding discussions of funeral flowers in society
• innovative approaches to creating sustainable funeral flower designs without floral foam
• the role of florists in educating families about sustainable options and practices
• the potential for changing perceptions of funeral flowers to make them more approachable
• the impact of creative and sustainable practices on the floral industry and communities

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. 

Natalie Gill, owner of Native Poppy flower delivery | San Diego, CA (2 retail locations: South Park & Solana Beach)

A Botanical Brouhaha Podcast listener wrote to us asking for Natalie Gill's advice. The UK designer wrote: "How do you find your mojo when it's hiding?" After a challenging year of fast-paced business growth, the question resonated with Natalie and she was willing to open up with our audience to explore her personal struggles and the solutions she believes are essential to creating a sustainable business while regaining and maintaining her passion for life and work.

This episode is for you if: 

• You've lost your creative flow
• You struggle with your creative voice on social media
• The weight of your creative job is feeling especially heavy
• You're feeling a forced responsibility to be creative which is blocking your ability to be creative

Natalie's Tips for Regaining Your Creative Voice & Passion: 

• Delegate duties where you can, train your team well, and then trust them to cover for you while you take time away
• Step away from your business periodically for an hour, a day, or an extended vacation
• Allow yourself to be reinvigorated by life (which means you have to actually live it!)
• Try new food, interact with someone you don't normally have a chance to interact with, or see something new
• Create moments of pause to avoid feeling forced or trapped in your work duties
• Consider what drains you vs. what fills you up and try to find a balance to ensure you're getting what you need to be successful
• Get to know yourself and then pursue other hobbies or learn a new skill
• Schedule appointments for accountability knowing you're less likely to break an appointment with someone else than break a promise to yourself (ex. scheduling a massage or drum lessons insures you'll follow through rather than making promises to yourself like "I'm going to read more")
• Freelance for another designer you admire to learn, gain inspiration, and work for a day without the weight of being the boss ( Natalie loved freelancing for Mindy Rice Design)

Botanical Brouhaha Online Shop

Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

Maria Maxit | Maxit Flower Design

Former BB Podcast co-host, Maria Maxit dropped by for a visit recently (via Zoom, of course) and we had fun catching up on what's happened at Maxit Flower Design since she last sat in the co-host chair. As we visited,  she shared about her decision to step away from the podcast to continue growing her business in Houston.  After about 15 minutes of catching up, we got around to the topic I asked Maria to share with the BB audience -- profitability. In this episode, Maria shares 6 tips she believes were crucial to building her profitable and sustainable floral design business. Hope you find her insights helpful!

• Hire a bookkeeper
• Hire an accountant
• Find your niche rather than seeking trends
• Produce content you want to see and stay ahead of the curve
• Seek a support system of other business owners
• Stay flexible and offer a little more

Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

Joseph Massie | Joseph Massie Flowers + Joseph Massie at the UK School of Floristry 

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down his city, Joseph Massie got to work figuring out how to handle the sudden halt of business cash flow due to wedding postponements, class cancellations, and budget restraints on commissioned work. Because he envisions his business being around for years to come, Joseph knew he had to play the long game and make decisions based on building the long-term relationships he'll need to sustain his business post-pandemic. He shares two important skills he's learned while trying to find the opportunities in what he calls his "blank slate moment" when business as he once knew it all changed.

• handling staffing during the pandemic shut down
• dealing with the confusion and insecurities created by an unprecedented situation
• offering great customer service during challenging times
• handling wedding postponements with grace
• finding opportunities in the "blank slate moments"
• why he decided to postpone the launch of his online school until July 1st, 2020 (it's right around the corner!)

1.  Prioritize – Determine what's essential, what you can do in the here and now, and what's important to you.
2. Innovate – Look for new ways to serve your clients, team, and community.

• Joseph Massie's Free Resource Page 
• BB+ Podcast #6: Joseph Massie on Training, Competing, and Winning

Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

Today we're visiting with Mattie Bush, owner of Amelia's Flower Truck & Amelia's Flowers located in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss:

• How she dreamed up and executed the flower truck concept without a background in the floral industry
• How she scaled her business quickly to include 3 trucks
• Why she decided to add retail shops to her business model
• The challenges of selling flowers from a mobile truck
• Details on sourcing her flower trucks and the accessories she needed to complete the flower truck concept
• The story behind the names of her trucks...Amelia "Amy", Rory, and Melody
• Why she's chosen not to include wedding/event florals in Amelia's business model (with a few exceptions...for now)
• The merchandise and flower options offered by Amelia's Flowers
• The process of shifting to flower deliveries during the pandemic
• How she sources the flowers she sells from the flower bars on the trucks and in the shops
• The challenges of growing quickly and finding community in a unique niche
• Her dreams for the future of Amelia's Flowers

• Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart
• 1767 Designs
• "I'm Not a Florist" by Mattie Bush
• Charlotte's Florals 

    Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest 

SEE MORE OF AMELIA'S FLOWER SHOPS HERE: 

    Website | Instagram

REAL FLOWER BUSINESS

Click here  to learn more about online business courses and free training for florists including Flower Math: The Florist's Guide To Pricing & Profitability, and Wedding Templates to help you streamline your proposal process and help clients book more quickly.

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Alison Ellis | Real Flower Business

Alison Ellis of Real Flower Business surprised me when we sat down for a visit. Instead of me asking her a question, she turned the tables and asked me a question she'd received recently from one of her followers! She asked: "Do you have any tips around mindset for showing up on social media even though you'd rather completely ignore it all together?" We had a lot of fun exploring the question together (and I hope we gave her follower some food for thought).

A few of the ideas we kicked around during our visit:

• Posting content on social media is a great way to drive traffic to your business website
• Closely following your gut on when and how to post can produce organic growth
• Consistency will help grow a business (the growth may be slow and steady, so be patient)
• Social media is simply another tool to get the word out about your business and connect with others
• Social media can lead to long lasting relationships with industry peers who live in other parts of the world
• Setting boundaries on time spent on social media is crucial to maintaining balance
• We don't have to like every aspect of social media to use it to the advantage of our business
• Don't get caught up in what you feel you have to do on social media - you are in control!
• Having a business website is crucial (especially in the event that a social media account is hacked or the platform goes away)
• While scheduling posts ahead of time is efficient, some business owners may prefer to post in "real" time
• Practice leads to progress (posts and schedules don't have to be perfect from the start to lead to results)
• Leading with authenticity is the name of the game

Mentioned in BB+ Episode 7: 

• Swan Cottage Flowers
• Planoly
• Tailwind
• Susan McLeary
• Rachel Merkle | District M Creative

Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Original Music: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Today we're visiting with Kate Woodley, owner of  Two Wild Hands located in Cooranbong, Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia to discuss:

• her transition from interior design to floral design
• the significance of having her own studio space
• the teaching opportunity that helped her gain momentum early on in her career
• landing product launch clients through PR companies
• the value in finding the support of a local community of designers
• why she tends to use minimal foliage
• why she prefers to visit the flower market in person despite the long drive
• the technique she uses to achieve her signature open airy aesthetic
• charging for destination weddings
• her color palette planning strategies
• the advantages of freelancing
• her main referral sources

• Sydney Flower Market
• Xero | Accounting software
• Songbird Silk
• The Coterie Silk Ribbons

    Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest 

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Over the years, we've had the honor of featuring Joseph Massie's work on the Botanical Brouhaha blog many times. From his rose tunnel installation in honor of the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen to the stunning living dress he designed for Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips to wear to the National Television Awards (NTAs), Joseph's work has long intrigued us. But when I sat down with Joseph recently, there was one thing in particular on my mind. I wanted to know how he became the youngest designer to win 5 consecutive Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals. How does one attain that honor at such a young age? What had he done behind the scenes to prepare for such a lofty goal?

Our conversation was casual and fun. Joseph's wit (and hilarious sarcasm) made the time fly by way too fast. Before I knew it, we were flying through his memories of being a 14 yr old teenager looking for a weekend job, winning the British Florist Association Young Florist of the Year, walking away with his 5th Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal, and buying a school.  I hope you enjoy today's episode as much as I enjoyed the visit with Joseph.

Mentioned in BB+ Episode 6: 

• St. Helen's College
• The Florist Magazine
• British Florist Association
• Neil Whittaker
• Sarah Horne
• Ian Lloyd
• InterFlora
• WorldSkills Competition
• Chelsea Flower Show
• Stephanie Willoughby
• Gregor Lersch
• Per Benjamin
• Elly Lin
• Hanneke Frankema
• Myers & Briggs Personality Test

Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Original Music: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

With social distancing practices still in place, BB Podcast host Amy McGee got on a Zoom call with her co-host Maggie Bailey of Bramble & Bee to catch up and discuss living life and running a floral business in the midst of the pandemic. Maggie shares how Bramble & Bee has adjusted business practices during the Covid-19 pandemic. She also discusses what they hope for the coming weeks and months as the country slowly starts to adjust to the new normal. 

Today we're visiting with sisters Jessica Hall & Stephanie Auville, from Harmony Harvest Farm in Weyers Cave, Virginia to discuss:

• the beach-side conversation that led to the creation of their family-run business - Harmony Harvest Farm
• the scope of what they grow on the farm
• the services they provide to their retail and wholesale customers
• their thoughts on the importance of learning to ship their product efficiently (they've just released The Flower Shipping Course to help others do the same)
• what a typical farming year looks like at Harmony Harvest Farm
• the team structure responsible for managing the farm
• the advantages of working together in a family business
• how they spend their off season
• their decision to purchase the manufacturing of a flower frog originally manufactured by Dorothy Biddle Services
• how they discovered the flower frog business was for sale, what they purchased in the deal, and how they transitioned into production as Floral Genius

• Chapel Designers
• First Lady's Luncheon | Washington, D.C.
• greenSinner
• Lisa Ziegler
• Floral Putty/Clay for anchoring pin frogs to bottom of container

BOTANICAL BROUHAHA

Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for additional inspiration and news.

WIN A FLOWER FROG FROM FLORAL GENIUS:

1. Join our mailing list if you haven't already (that's how we connect with our flower friends with news, resources, and a monthly newsletter!) Click Here
2. Leave a comment below (so we know you're hoping to win!)

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Today we're visiting with Ellen Frost, owner of  Local Color Flowers in Baltimore, Maryland to discuss:

• how she's able to source local flowers for her business year round
• her unique business model which includes weddings, weekly orders, book clubs, open studio nights, and more
• the Bloom Battle and Flower Trivia Nights hosted by Local Color Flowers
• the structure of her team
• how she transitioned from being in a business partnership to being a sole proprietor (and later, how she brought her husband on board full-time)
• how she's worked with local growers to establish winter crop availability
• the logistics of sourcing locally
• how she educates her customers about the cost of locally sourced flowers
• how she insures her wedding clients are a good fit for her business model
• the classes she offers to her community
• offering the Local Color Flowers space for rent to the public
• how she addresses sustainability in her business
• the ordering challenges involved in sourcing locally
• how she finds time to get away and travel with her husband each year

• Flower School NY
• Love 'n Fresh Flowers
• Maryland Cut Flower Growers Association 
• Dave Dowling
• Ednie Flower Bulb
• Fred C Gloeckner & Co
• Butterbee Farm
• Wollam Gardens
• Flowers by Bauers & Greenhouses
• Seaberry Farm
• Belvedere Farm
• Unsheltered

    Website | Instagram | Facebook | You Tube | Pinterest

Botanical Brouhaha

Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for additional inspiration and news.

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 133), we're visiting with Carole Patilla, co-founder of the Farewell Flowers Directory and owner of Tuckshop Flowers. She joined forces with Gill Hodgson, founder of Flowers from the Farm, to address a need in the floral industry that is often overlooked and avoided — sustainable funeral flowers.

This conversation will be helpful for you if: 1) you're unsure how to execute your vision to create funeral flowers without traditional flower foam and single-use plastics or 2) you're struggling to educate clients (and funeral directors) about the importance of sustainable funeral flowers.

Carole shares her experiences working with local funeral homes, highlighting how they have embraced innovative approaches to funerals that reflect the wishes of families for personalized services that prioritize sustainable practices.

Carole shares her experiences creating foam free funeral arrangements that can adapt to different surfaces, such as curved caskets lids. She challenges the notion that certain practices are set in stone simply because they have always been done that way. She believes strongly that florists have the power to set their own rules and standards in business.

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. 

BB+ Guest:  Christine Hoover, LPC

Even during "normal" times, floral professionals deal with stress and anxiety. The realities of the Corona Virus Pandemic have made this even more relevant. 

In this episode Amy and Christine sat down to talk about how we can all learn to deal with anxiety. Christine talks about some of the ways our brain processes stress and some practical tips to help. She also talks about when we might need to seek out professional help and how to find that help. 

REAL FLOWER BUSINESS

Alison Ellis, of Real Flower Business, teaches florists how to make more money and book better clients. She believes every florist should turn a profit and recognize the value of their time & expertise. Click here to learn more. 

Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Original Music: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Today we're visiting with Beth O'Reilly, Director of Education & Merchandise at Greenleaf Wholesale in Houston, Texas to discuss:

• her career path through the floral design profession from 'bud vase girl' to accomplished designer
• the largest (and possibly the most interesting) event she ever produced
• how her Fine Arts Sculpture degree has affected her work in floral design
• her years of involvement in product development in China
• how family changed her career choices
• the advantages of freelancing
• her responsibilities and opportunities at Greenleaf
• the roles of flowers and logistics in a successful wholesale operation
• career opportunities in the wholesale business
• Greenleaf's involvement in the Botanical Brouhaha Day Lily Initiative

• Ken's Flower Shops
• Coby Neal | The Flower Studio
• Fabian Salcedo | F2 Floral Design
• AIFD
• Michelle Perry-White AIFD
• Hobby Lobby
• Empty Vase
• Beverly Wilshire
• Sharon Sacks | Sacks Productions
• Oasis Floral Products

    Website | Instagram (Beth O'Reilly) | Instagram (Greenleaf) | Facebook | You Tube | Four Brothers Farms | KB Farms

BOTANICAL BROUHAHA

Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for additional inspiration and news.

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Amy sat down with Holly Chapple of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers in Virginia to discuss how her business is coping with the ever changing realities of the current COVID-19 pandemic including communicating with clients and trying to help support employees. 

This bonus episode is a follow-up to the BB+ Episode released on March 18th. Natalie and Amy discuss some of the constantly changing circumstances related to COVID-19 restrictions and their impact on floral businesses. 

BB+ Guest:  Natalie Gill of Native Poppy in San Diego, California

Many listeners wanted to get Natalie's advice on pricing. 

In this episode Natalie describes how she prices items from her stem bar and also talks quite a bit about delivery charges and other issues around determining the correct price point for both retail and event floral customers. 

REAL FLOWER BUSINESS

Alison Ellis, of Real Flower Business, teaches florists how to make more money and book better clients. She believes every florist should turn a profit and recognize the value of their time & expertise. Click here to learn more. 

Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Original Music: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Today we're visiting with Rachelle Willows, owner of Flowers by Willows in Alberta, Canada to discuss:

• what led her to transition from being an EMT to being a floral designer
• how a workshop reignited her fire and encouraged her to fight PTSD and continue her business with a newfound vulnerability
• her peony burn party and how she turned a horrible situation into a teachable moment for her followers
• how her background as an EMT has impacted her mindset on floral design jobs
• the challenges of working in a remote location
• how a serious injury impacted her business
• how and why she manages an insane number of workshops during the Christmas season
• her 'petting zoo'
• her popular Whoville Trees made with Carolina Sapphire, Western Red Cedar, and Cyprus
• the photo shoot that impacted her thoughts on body image and body positivity

• Ponderosa & Thyme
• Brooks Garden Peonies
• Dutch Girl Peonies
• Pacific Coast Floral
• Florists Supply
• Superior Floral Wholesale
• Brz Photography
• Ronald McDonald House
• Ashley Woodson Bailey |  Her Story

    Website | Instagram (Flowers) | Instagram (Ranch) | Facebook 

CoolBot

Win a Coolbot PRO on the Botanical Brouhaha Blog. Click here for details.

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

BB+ Guest:  Alison Ellis of Real Flower Business

Two listener questions for today's episode:

"How would you suggest designers price out rental pieces that they own?"

"I've heard that floral designers sometimes say they charge 'x' amount for a boutonniere or a corsage or whatever. Is there a method for upcharging that's easy to follow for anyone regardless of where they are and what kind of discount they get from their wholesaler?"

Alison and Amy discuss these two topics related to pricing and Alison gives some great tips and guidelines. Rental item pricing is a frequent question Alison gets on her blog and she has a formula that can work in any market. She also discusses how to set minimum pricing on floral items and how to effectively communicate that to potential customers. 

CoolBot

Win a Coolbot PRO on the Botanical Brouhaha Blog. Click here for details.

Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Original Music: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Today we're visiting with Janne Ford, owner of Janne Ford Floral Photography to discuss:

• her transition from the fashion industry to a niche in floral styling & photography
• why she felt a natural connection to the Instagram platform
• the images that helped her Instagram account gain popularity
• the opportunity that opened the door to her floral still life photography niche
• how she chooses the images she shares on social media
• her thoughts on flower arranging vs. floral styling
• the services she provides to clients
• how she utilizes Pinterest, Instagram, and her blog
• why she prefers to post on Instagram 3 times per week
• how she organizes her images
• why she prefers to post to social media in real time rather than scheduling her posts
• the photo editing apps and software she uses

• Country Living Fair
• David Austin Wedding Roses
• Strawberry Hill House
• Snug | Make your Instagram beautiful
• UNUM | Design & Plan Stories
• Planoly | Simplify Social Marketing
• Lightroom | Photo Editing
• Hazel Shaw | Eden Blooms
• A Color Story | Mobile imaging apps, Lightroom Presets, and Photoshop Actions
• Snapseed | Photo-editing application 
• #inspiredbypetals
• Inspired by Petals
• Firenza Flowers
• Frida Kim Flowers

    Website | Instagram | Facebook | Upcoming Workshop (France) | Twitter

Cape Lily

Are you a little more flower obsessed than your average travel partner? Cape Lily creates botanical journeys for flower + travel passionate creatives like you! Join Cape Lily in London, New York, and South Africa in 2020. Coming in 2021: Japan. Click here for more info.

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

BB+ Guest:  Christine Hoover, LPC

A common question we get from designers:

"What does Imposter Syndrome look like in the floral profession? 

In this episode Christine and Amy discuss imposter syndrome and how it impacts designers. Christine give some strategies for coping with imposter syndrome including slowing down, practicing self-acceptance, and learning how to deal with negative thoughts. 

REAL FLOWER BUSINESS

Alison Ellis, of Real Flower Business, teaches florists how to make more money and book better clients. She believes every florist should turn a profit and recognize the value of their time & expertise. Click here to learn more. 

Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Original Music: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Today we're visiting with Ali Dahlson, Marketing Manager at Mayesh Wholesale to discuss:

• the rich history of Mayesh Wholesale Florist
• the opportunity that led her back to the family business from a career in interior architecture
• how her family has expanded the business over the years to include 19 locations in 10 states
• the dynamics of a successful family-run business
• upcoming US and International workshop opportunities hosted by Mayesh
• her strategies for working around distractions
• her responsibilities as Marketing Manager
• her thoughts on trends and their importance to wholesalers
• ways Mayesh will be addressing sustainability this year
• what sets Mayesh apart from other wholesalers
• the key to successful social media marketing

• MENTIONED IN EPISODE 55:
  • Ann Sacks Tile & Stone
  • Nicole Clarey Photography
  • Christy Hulsey | Colonial House of Flowers | Former Mayesh Design Star
  • Shean Strong | Former Mayesh Design Star
  • Anthony Maslo | The Boy Who Cried Flowers | 2020 Mayesh Design Star
  • Evernote
  • Putnam & Putnam's visit to Mayesh Houston 
  • Mayesh Brannan Street
  • Adobe Indesign
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Pantone Color of the Year
  • Aalsmeer Flower Festival
  • International Floriculture Trade Fair (IFTF 2020)
  • Floralife
  • Eddie the Cooler Guy
  • Canva
  • Mayesh Workshop with Susan McLeary

• Flower Library
• Product Planner
• Mornings with Mayesh Podcast
• Product Guides
• Mayesh Luxe Blooms

    Website | Instagram | Facebook | You Tube

DayLily Initiative: Botanical Brouhaha

A passion project about fairness + equality against all odds. What would you do if you had just one day to bloom? Click here to find out more.

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 132), we're visiting with Layla Robinson, a creative force in the flower industry known for her specialization in dried flower arrangements and installations.

This conversation is specifically for you if: 1) you're interested in dried flowers or 2) you're struggling to find your niche in the floral industry.

Layla's journey into the flower industry began over 15 years ago with fresh flowers. Living in the UK, she was inspired by the "buy local" movement and saw an opportunity to start a business that could be managed alongside raising her children. However, the challenges of growing, harvesting, arranging, and marketing fresh flowers while managing small children soon became apparent.

To extend her offerings throughout the year, especially during the cold Welsh winters, Layla began exploring dried flowers. She started foraging for materials like ivy, dried hydrangeas, and rose hips to create winter wreaths and arrangements. This exploration led her to appreciate the beauty and versatility of dried flowers, which allowed her to take her time with arrangements while her children played around her.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a pivotal moment for Layla. The cancellation of a wedding she had been planning for a year made her realize that the pressure of fresh flowers was no longer what she wanted. She decided to fully commit to dried flowers, a significant leap that brought her a sense of freedom and joy.

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. 

BB+ Guest:  Natalie Gill of Native Poppy in San Diego, California

A listener from Minnesota asks: 

"How do you market your à la carte wedding flowers?" 

In this episode Natalie describes how she markets her extensive à la carte wedding flower menu and shares a few additional marketing strategies she uses in her business to build her Native Poppy clientele and find new customers.

Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Original Music: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Today we're visiting with Gracie Poulson, owner of Grace Rose Farm in Southern California to discuss:

• expanding from a backyard rose garden to a full-scale farming operation
• logistics of scaling a business quickly to keep up with demand
• challenges of shipping a perishable product from a rural location
• choosing which rose varieties to grow
• diversifying a flower farming business to include additional products/services
• advice for prospective growers
• work/life balance and the effects of the business on family

• Steve Moore | Sinclair & Moore
• LA Flower Market
• Golden Celebration rose
• Charlotte rose
• Black Baccara rose
• Koko Loko rose
• Distant Drums rose
• Pure Perfume rose
• Evelyn rose
• Stephen Rulo rose
• Honey Dijon rose
• Stainless Steel rose

    Website | Instagram

REAL FLOWER BUSINESS

Click here for more info on Alison Ellis's email, proposal, contract, and work flow templates or visit the Real Flower Business website for additional resources here.

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Today we're visiting with Graeme Corbett, owner of Bloom + Burn in London to discuss:

• his transition from a career in TV to the floral design profession
• why he's felt the freedom to follow the natural flow of his business
• the logistical differences he's experienced while producing brand sets vs. weddings
• insights into his Instagram feed aesthetic
• lessons he's learned about pricing
• building a business to embrace his personal strengths
• where he found the courage to make a career shift into floral design

• JamJar Flowers
• Dirty Hit
• The 1975
• No Rome
• Jamie Oliver
• My Year of Rest and Relaxation
• British Flowers Week

    Website | Instagram

Greenleaf Wholesale

The Greenleaf shipping division and knowledgeable sales reps make it possible to experience Greenleaf flowers even if you aren't close to a physical location. Click here to follow Greenleaf on Instagram. Click here to sign up and become a Greenleaf customer.

Beth O'Reilly, Director of Education and Merchandise for Greenleaf, was awarded the keynote speaker and rotunda designer designation for the San Diego Museum of Art's -Art Alive Exhibition April 23-26, 2020.  Beth will be commissioned, along with Greenleaf, to create a 3 story floral installation for this prestigious annual event that attracts national media attention and welcomes nearly 12,000 visitors in just one weekend. For ticket information, click here.

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

• BotanicalBrouhaha.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Today we're visiting with Liza Lubell, owner of Peartree and Garbage Goddess based in the NYC area to discuss:

• how a gap-year job in a flower shop turned into a 14 year career (so far!) in the floral industry
• her diversified business model which provides flowers for private homes, editorial work, weddings, special events, and corporate clients
• the seed of an idea for Garbage Goddess that began in her flower business, Peartree, and grew into an additional business as other floral designers inquired about her services
• the process of recycling post-event flowers and supplies
• the fee structure for Garbage Goddess services
• partnerships between Garbage Goddess and artists who create art with post-event flowers
• her annual pilgrimage/retreat to Costa Rica
• environmental-friendly installations
• how she measures success

• Mary Lennox
• Ariella Chezar
• Saipua
• Nicolette Camille Floral Design
• Eothen
• Selva
• Max Gill Design
• Fox Fodder Farm

Peartree:     Website | Instagram | Facebook 

Garbage Goddess:   Instagram

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Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series

Today we're visiting with Lorna Stuart Trainor, owner of A Room in Bloom located in Athlone, Ireland to discuss:

• her winding career path from archaeology to floristry
• how she decided it was time to take a leap and open her own retail flower shop
• the loneliness of being a business owner and how she has overcome it
• the conversation which led her to rethink her business model
• her transition from retail florist to by-appointment only event florist
• customer reactions to her business model shift
• the value of both hiring freelancers and working as a freelancer
• handling the expectations of clients
• the special bond she's created with two of her industry peers, Jenny and Sylvia
• the weekend she won two awards for her wedding florals and...Rugby Player of the Year!

• Nick Priestly | Mood Flowers
• Jenny Murphy | Flowers by Moira
• Sylvia Abraham | Bella Botanica
• Josephine Rogers Strain | Callas Floral Design
• Chapel Designers | Holly Chapple | Evan Chapple
• Kevin Dooley & Orlagh Dooley | Dooley's Flowers
• Matthew Landers
• Flowerstock
• Fleuramour

Website | Instagram | Facebook  | Pinterest | Twitter

Greenleaf Wholesale

• The Greenleaf shipping division and knowledgeable sales reps make it possible to experience Greenleaf flowers even if you aren't close to a physical location. Click here to follow Greenleaf on Instagram. Click here to sign up and become a Greenleaf customer

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Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series

Today we're visiting with Rosbie Morton, founder/owner of The Real Flower Company located in Hampshire, England to discuss:

• how her perplexity over the lack of scented roses propelled her to find and grow varieties with scent
• the growth and diversity of her business over the years
• how she increased stem length while maintaining the scent of the roses she grows
• the experience which led her to grow roses under cover
• pricing specialty roses
• how she staffs The Real Flower Company farm, retail shops, and sweet pea nursery
• why she felt it was necessary to partner with a sister company in Kenya
• her thoughts on sustainability and education
• her experience behind the scenes at the Chelsea Flower Show
• handling the challenges of rose diseases

• Covent Garden
• Paula Pryke
• Jane Packer 
• Kenneth Turner
• Pulbrook & Gould
• Rob Van Helden
• Shane Connolly

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) & Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Mayesh

Coming in 2020:  International Workshop Experience in The Netherlands (April 5-11, 2020) with Sue Mcleary and Hanneke Frankema.  Mayesh is looking forward to creating more magical flower moments abroad with groups of passionate flower designers. Want to attend The Netherlands workshop? Click here for more info.

Click here to visit Mayesh Wholesale's useful website -- filled with tools and educational content like the Flower Library treasured by designers. 

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series

Today we're visiting with Parie Donaldson, owner of Parie Designs (Amarillo, Texas), cancer survivor, and Details Flowers virtual designer to discuss:

• her transition from a retail shop to an events-only studio
• how she's dealt with setbacks and diversions in business
• how her breast cancer diagnosis affected her business
• her new venture as a virtual design assistant
• what led to her renewed love affair with floral design
• how she handled telling her clients about her cancer diagnosis
• her 'Plan C'
• the perks of freelancing
• the meaningful photo shoot her friends orchestrated during her treatment

• Details Flowers Software
• Chapel Designers
• Isha Foss | Isha Foss Design
• Susan Kelly | Marion Moss Floral Design
• Andrea Grist
• Holly Chapple| Holly Heider Chapple Flowers
• Curate
• Jayson Munn | Jayson Munn Design
• Flowerstock
• Robbie Honey
• Lindsay Diminick | Yellow Twist Floral Design | BB Podcast Episode 48

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series 

Guest Co-Host: Maggie Bailey | Bramble & Bee

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Today we're visiting with Lindsay Diminick, owner of Yellow Twist Floral Design in Portland, Maine and cancer survivor/emergency plan educator to discuss:

• her roundabout academic and career journey which circled back to the love of floral design she'd had since she was a teen
• the gift of moving and getting to restart a business and what she did with that opportunity
• how she utilized her time in cancer treatment to work on her business plan for Yellow Twist's relaunch in a new city
• coming back to floral design after cancer treatment with intention and mindfulness
• how she's made space in her life to honor what she's been through
• her belief that having a contingency plan creates choices for a designer during an emergency
• how a contingency plan showcases professionalism and builds trust with clients

• Holly Chapple
• Susan McCleary
• Hitomi Gilliam
• Françoise Weeks
• Gregor Lersch
• Michelle Edgemont
• Isha Foss
• Alison Ellis
• Putnam and Putnam
• Nicole Land
• Emily Thompson

Website | Instagram | Facebook  | Pinterest

Lindsay's Contingency Planning Worksheet

Mayesh

Coming in 2020:  International Workshop Experience in The Netherlands (April 5-11, 2020) with Sue Mcleary and Hanneke Frankema.  Mayesh is looking forward to creating more magical flower moments abroad with groups of passionate flower designers. Want to attend The Netherlands workshop? Click here for more info.

Guest Co-Host: Maggie Bailey | Bramble & Bee

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series

Today we're visiting with Teresa Sabankaya, author of The Posy Book and owner of Bonny Doon Garden Company in Bonny Doon, California to discuss:

• the 'garden fever' that led her to a career in the floral industry over 20 years ago
• the struggles that came with adding a retail shop to her business model
• the ins and outs of running a retail flower shop in a locally-owned grocery market
• the two floral wedding packages she offers at Bonny Doon Garden Co
• the inspiration behind The Posy Book
• her fascination with the language of flowers
• the importance of including a sentiment tag with a posy
• how she navigated the process of writing a book
• how she solved the challenge of using modern flower varieties that didn't yet have meanings assigned to them in her posies

• A Shop of One's Own
• Paula Pryke
• New Leaf Community Markets
• Tussie-Mussies: The Language of Flowers by Geraldine Adamich Laufer
• Michaels
• The New Language of Flowers
• Debra Prinzing | Slow Flowers
• Danyelle Dee Photography

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Bonny Doon Garden Co  | Pinterest

Bonny Doon Garden Co Instagram | Bonny Doon Garden Co Facebook

Sign up to receive Teresa's newsletter before September 27, 2019 for a chance to win an autographed copy of The Posy Book (US residents only). Click here and scroll to the bottom to subscribe.

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Botanical Brouhaha Garden Style

Join us for a hands-on workshop and short film collaboration with Susan McLeary, Phil John Perry, and Holly Chapple on Nov. 4-6, 2019 in Bryan, Texas. Proceeds will help us meet needs and create opportunities for our neighbors in Bryan. Click here for more info. We'd love to see you there!

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Guest Co-Host: Maggie Bailey | Bramble & Bee

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series

Today we're visiting with Natalie Gill, owner of Native Poppy in San Diego & Solana Beach, California to discuss:

• how she quit her corporate job and jumped into floristry
• the role her staff has played in her success
• her philosophy on staff management
• job descriptions for her staff members
• her advice for collaborating on destination weddings
• the Native Poppy Flower Menu
• how she mitigates loss of perishable products
• her collaboration with Ashley Renuart on the Native Poppy shop installations
• her thoughts on advertising
• pricing and managing flower inventory
• where she finds the courage to take risks in business
• her big dreams for the future

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series

• Janelle Wylie | Lavenders Flowers | Tono + Co
• Mindy Rice Design
• Team Flower
• Bows and Arrows
• Mayesh Wholesale

• Profit First
• The One Thing
• The E Myth

Website | Shop Instagram | Personal Instagram | Facebook

Mayesh Wholesale

Have you heard about the new Product Planner at Mayesh Wholesale?

Throw out your spreadsheets and plan ahead for upcoming events by the stem! Create a recipe for all of your event designs, based on the flower availability for your event date, and Mayesh will tally up the number of stems you'll need. Afterward, you can efficiently and accurately request a quote from your Mayesh sales representative.

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Guest Co-Host: Gabe Miller | Ten23 Photography

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Photography: SoCal Standard | Native Poppy

We're visiting with Jen Lagedrost Cavender, owner of Nectar & Bloom.

After studying English and creative writing in college, Jen found herself teaching Literature and Creative Writing at a university. But, she felt something was missing and longed to reconnect with her creative side. Inspired by women business owners in the floral industry, she decided to explore flowers as a viable business model.

Ultimately, Jen found fulfillment by aligning her work with her passions for flowers and writing. She created a business model that resonates with her values and allows her to express her creativity. She believes strongly in the importance of self-care and creating space for rest and introspection. And she's created various avenues to teach, encourage, and support floral designers and creative business owners in pursuing self-care in order create a sustainable career.

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. 

Today we're visiting with Alicia Schwede, owner of Bella Fiori and Flirty Fleurs near Seattle, Washington to discuss:

• her most popular blog posts on Flirty Fleurs
• how a move affected her business model
• the flowers she grows in her garden
• why she thinks Pinterest helped the floral industry
• changes she's witnessed in bouquet styles over the years
• her thoughts on Instagram

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series

• Rose Color Studies on Flirty Fleurs
• Aisle Petal Calculation post on Flirty Fleurs
• Compote Arrangements post on Botanical Brouhaha
• Seattle Grower's Market
• Northwest Wholesale Florists
• Florabundance
• Floressence Design Studio | Anne Bradfield, owner
• Hitomi Gilliam
• Holly Chapple
• Chapel Designers
• Alison Ellis | Real Flower Business
• London Flower School
• Paula Pryke
• Neill Strain
• McQueens
• Robbie Honey

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

BB Garden Style

Join us for a hands-on workshop and short film collaboration with Susan McLeary, Phil John Perry, and Holly Chapple on Nov. 4-6, 2019 in Bryan, Texas. Proceeds will help us meet needs and create opportunities for our neighbors in Bryan. Click here for more info. We'd love to see you there!

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Guest Co-Host: Maggie Bailey | Bramble & Bee

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Today we're visiting with Zoe Woodward, owner of Swan Cottage Flowers in Stoke Hammond, UK to discuss:

• how she turned her passion for gardening into a business
• the importance and benefit of a solid educational foundation
• how she chooses content for Instagram stories
• growing flowers for wedding couples
• the logistics of growing 100% of the flowers she uses in weddings
• how she and her husband, Neil, manage the business and farming responsibilities
• the layout and function of the Swan Cottage facilities and gardens
• her favorite (and least favorite!) varieties to grow
• why she doesn't worry about trends
• how she ensures she'll have enough flowers blooming for each wedding she accepts

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series

• Chelsea Flower Show
• RHS Courses
• Holly Chapple
• Tulipina
• Floret
• 3 Porch Farm
• Love 'n Fresh Flowers

Mayesh Wholesale

Click here to visit Mayesh Wholesale's useful website – filled with tools & educational content like the Flower Library treasured by designers. And stay tuned for the reveal of a brand new interactive website coming soon!

Would you like to be the 2020 Mayesh Design Star? Click here for details on entry submission!

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Guest Co-Host: Robby Lazano | Ten23 Photography

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Today we're visiting with Michelle Hodges, owner of Sprout in Fredericksburg, Texas to discuss:

• her proposal process for wedding flowers
• the Sprout Mood Boards
• her transition into floral design from the teaching profession
• the progression of her business from flower stand to retail shop to private studio
• working with destination brides
• the benefits of freelancing for other designers
• sourcing flowers
• the importance of color in her work
• her interest in photography
• the importance of community within the floral profession

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series
• BB Garden Style Shop

 Links mentioned in Episode Forty-Three:

• Amy Osaba Design
• Ariella Chezar 
• Florabundance
• Mayesh
• Ellen Westcott | Westcott Weddings
• Melanie McKinley | Mayhar Design
• Adobe Indesign
• Apple Pages
• Round Top Antiques Week
• The Pearl Barn
• Shanna Skidmore

Botanical Brouhaha Garden Style

Join us for a hands-on workshop and artistic collaboration with Susan McLeary, Phil John Perry, and Holly Chapple on Nov. 4-6, 2019 in Bryan, Texas. Proceeds will help us meet needs and create opportunities for our neighbors in Bryan. Click here for more info. We'd love to see you there!

___________________________________________

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Today we're visiting with Sylvia Bustamante Gubbins, founder of Madrid Flower School in Madrid, Spain to discuss:

• what led her to flowers while working on a Master's degree in Creative Writing at NYU
• the impact of taking her first class at New York Botanical Garden
• her love of the Putnam and Putnam workshop experience
• moving from journalism to floral design through writing about florists and floral workshops
• the relationships she found in the floral industry vs. the loneliness she'd experienced working alone as a writer
• her first opportunities in freelancing
• her Instagram page Floristas del Mundo
• the decisions she had to make when relocating to Madrid
• the new Madrid Flower School facilities, master classes,  and curriculum
• the extensive World Floral Workshops List she created to assist other floral designers
• how owning a flower school will change her life
• the importance of technology in the floral industry

Madrid Flower School | Florista del Mundo | World Flower Workshops List

Facebook: Madrid Flower School | Floristas del Mundo group

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Mayesh Wholesale

Click here to visit Mayesh Wholesale's useful website – filled with tools & educational content like the Flower Library treasured by designers. And stay tuned for the reveal of a brand new interactive website coming soon!

___________________________________________

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series
• BB Garden Style Shop

• Chapel Designers
• The Met 
• Luxonomist
• Victoria Clausen Floral Events
• Sinclair & Moore
• Ponderosa & Thyme
• Hope Flower Farm
• Flower School New York
• London Flower School
• Lucia Milan
• If I Made
• Sarah Winward
• Sarita de Castro
• Holly Chapple | Egg & Pillow mechanics by Syndicate Sales
• Eco Fresh Bouquet Wrap

We were thrilled to have Francoise Weeks and Jenn Ederer as guests for the second live taping of the BB Podcast during the BB Garden Style Workshop on April 2, 2019. The interview was structured as a Q&A with the audience of attendees at the end of the workshop day. Because the BB community is spread far and wide and couldn't all be there with us that day, we want to share the conversation with you! Francoise and Jenn shared their heartfelt ideas on:

• efficient use of social media while forming and respecting boundaries
• people who have inspired and supported them during their careers
• overcoming fear
• how Jenn handled staffing as she scaled her business while growing over the years

We'd like to say a very special thank you to our BB Garden Style Workshop partners. We could not have accomplished this workshop and continued to fulfill the BB Garden Style mission without them. We're incredibly grateful for their support and encouragement!

Save the date…we're doing it again on November 4-6, 2019 with three more flower friends who are anxious to share their knowledge while supporting the BB Garden Style initiative…Susan McLeary, Phil John Perry, and Holly Chapple!  Click here for details on the next workshop!

• Market 1023
• Ten23 Photography
• Greenleaf Wholesale
• Oasis Floral Product
• Urban Rubbish
• Thistle Floral Design
• Moosefeathers Florist
• Bramble & Bee
• Events to Remember
• The Queen Theatre
• Downtown Bryan Association
• Copy Corner

Live Podcast Production Team:

Joel McGee | Chris Hoover | Landon McGee

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series
• BB Garden Style Shop

Today we're visiting with Nicole Rossi, owner of Texture Florals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss:

• her unconventional transition from architecture to floral design
• creating a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), the pros and cons, and what eventually led her to change the direction of her business
• the experience that sparked her interest in wedding and event flowers
• the event that ended up being the push she needed to start her own business
• her unique studio environment
• a new project she's recently launched
• the logistics behind her editorial work
• the administrative changes she's currently making
• some of the hurdles she's faced during her quickly-growing flower career
• the supportive flower community in Philadelphia and how they have embraced her
• the importance of designers communicating on pricing for the good of the industry as a whole

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series
• BB Garden Style Shop

• Studio Choo
• David's Bridal
• BOK Building
• Fresh Designs Florist / Design Sanctuary
• Sebesta Floral + Event Design
• Jennifer Designs Events
• Faye + Renee
• RAM Floral
• Indesign
• Done + Dusted
• Urban Outfitters
• Anthropologie
• Free People
• G. Page Wholesale Flowers

Click here for more info on Alison Ellis's email, proposal, contract, and work flow templates or visit the Real Flower Business website here.

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Guest Co-Host: Robby Lozano | Ten23 Photography

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Today we're visiting Lucia Milan, owner of Lucia Milan Flower Studio in São Paulo, Brazil to discuss:

• her transition from fashion stylist to flower business owner
• how Chapel Designers membership impacted her business
• exploring and refining Brazilian style
• her passion for sustainable practices
• how traveling changed her thinking
• how she finds ideal wedding clients
• her desire for her work to mimic nature rather than alter it
• her tropical garden (and the little monkeys who visit it!)
• what inspired her to search for change artistically and how she's come to feel whole in her work
• how her teenage children affect her work
• her efforts to build a sense of community in her market
• why she sees workshops as an investment in her business
• the importance of accurate pricing

• "Contemporary Flowers" from Olivier Dupon (Thames and Hudson, London)
• Chapel Designers | Holly Chapple
• The Blue Carrot
• Ponderosa & Thyme
• Flower House Mexico
• Tulipina
• Ariella Chezar
• Simply by Arrangement
• Hitomi Gilliam
• Alison Ellis | Real Flower Business
• Max Gill
• Makoto Azuma 

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series
• BB Garden Style Shop

Click here for more information on The Mayesh Pull - send your sales rep inspiration images, a budget, Pinterest boards, etc. and have your rep pull a custom order for you. It's a great way to find out about new, fun products you might not have known about otherwise!

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BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Today we're visiting Katie Noonan AIFD, owner of Noonan's Wine Country Designs in San Luis Obispo, California to discuss:

• how her parents and their business influenced her love of flowers
• how AIFD Symposium has been instrumental in her passion for and pursuit of floral design
• what she did for a living while building her floral design business
• the 2 greatest challenges she faces when designing outdoor weddings
• the designs she refuses to sell to her clients
• the photoshoot that propelled her business to the next level
• the guidelines she uses when deciding whether or not to get involved in a photoshoot
• where she finds inspiration
• her thoughts on social media
• how she finds work-life balance
• scheduling time away from the business
• the challenges of handling the business side of a floral design business
• why she takes small deposits for weddings

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series
• BB Garden Style Shop

• Florabundance Design Days
• Pim van den Akker
• Chapel Designers
• Hitomi Gilliam AIFD
• Cal Poly | San Luis Obispo
• SAIFD 

Click here for more info on Flower Math: The Florist's Guide To Pricing & Profitability or visit the Real Flower Business website here.

Today we're visiting Coral Shortt, owner of Epanouir Flower Studio in Cape Town, South Africa to discuss:

• her introduction to flowers while growing up in a family of flower-loving gardeners
• the correlation between her IT background and the project management end of weddings
• her transition from retail to a wedding specialty
• two important considerations when opening a retail shop
• striking a work/life balance with children in the equation
• why she loves freelancing
• the importance of pricing correctly
• how she manages her weddings using systems she created
• the importance of identifying and writing down processes before attempting to incorporate them into a new software
• four ways she's managed to learn floral design techniques over the years
• adjusting with trends
• the mechanics tools that revolutionized her work
• tips for working with cold glue
• the importance of relationships with fellow vendors
• the things she'd like to see change in the floral industry

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series
• BB Garden Style Shop

• Alison Ellis | Real Flower Business
• What Wedding Flowers Cost South Africa
• Chapel Designers 
• Sue McLeary
• Holly Chapple
• Francoise Weeks
• Gregor Lersch
• Constance Spry
• Per Benjamin
• Daniel Ost
• Oasis Floral Adhesive (cold glue)

Click here for more information on The Mayesh Pull - send your sales rep inspiration images, a budget, Pinterest boards, etc. and have your rep pull a custom order for you. It's a great way to find out about new, fun products you might not have known about otherwise!

Today we're visiting Jennifer Haf, owner of BLOOM in Charlevoix, Michigan to discuss:

• how her garden grown flowers paved the way to a thriving wedding + retail flower business
• how her business has grown and changed alongside her family life over the years
• running a flower business in a seasonal location
• thinking through an exit strategy for retirement
• how she curates her retail shop
• rebranding
• sourcing from makers for retail
• her interest in product development
• her educational journey in floral design
• her Open Book program of one-on-one learning opportunities
• how she tackles the engineering behind the large installations she offers her clients
• refining the 'less is more' minimalist aesthetic
• enjoying leisure time to balance work life
• her cutting garden and how she utilizes local farm

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series
• BB Garden Style Shop

• NY Gift Market
• Flower School NY
• Ariella Chezar
• Holly Chapple
• Chapel Designers
• Studio Mondine
• Flower House Mexico

Click here for more info on Alison Ellis's email, proposal, contract, and work flow templates or visit the Real Flower Business website here.

We're visiting with Cameron Hardesty, owner of Poppy, a wedding floral business based in the Washington, DC area that has seen rapid growth and success.

A transformative experience volunteering at the White House ignited Cameron's passion. We walk through her transition from a career in corporate communications to becoming the founder of a company that empowers nearly 900 freelance floral designers, offering them flexibility and opportunities to showcase their creativity.

If you've ever wondered what it takes to move a business idea from concept to execution and then scale it quickly, you'll find this conversation enlightening. Cameron shares insights into the fundraising journey, including participation in the Techstars Accelerator program and raising $1.65 million+ in seed funding. She's keen on sharing the knowledge and experiences she's gained over the years in hopes of supporting and encouraging others.

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. 

Today we're visiting Bryan Watson, co-owner of Myrtie Blue with his partner Gene in Fort Walton Beach, Florida to discuss:

• the story behind their business name
• the challenges of producing beach weddings
• the secret behind his successful business partnership with his husband, Gene
• Myrtie Blue's extensive rental inventory
• how he organizes and retains the staff responsible for Myrtie Blue's event production
• the piece of the puzzle he's yet to solve related to staff duties
• the ins and outs of his production process with his team
• the unique way he handles minimum spends for his clients
• his desire to source more locally grown flowers in the Florida Panhandle

• Blog
• Instagram
• Facebook
• BB Garden Style Workshop Series
• BB Garden Style Shop

• Ariella Chezar
• Watercolor
• Seaside 
• Carillon Beach
• Alys Beach
• Rosemary Beach

Click here for dates and locations of 2019 Mayesh Design Star workshops with Atlanta-based floral designer Shean Strong.  And don't miss Shean's Tutorial Videos this year! Watch his Indoor Meadow Tutorial here.

Today we're visiting with Semia Dunne of Flowers by Semia and The Floral Reserve in Providence, Rhode Island to discuss:

• the long winding educational path that eventually led her back to her love of flowers
• how she's grown a successful wedding and event floral design company over the last 19 years
• the birth, successes and challenges of her passion project, The Floral Reserve
• the unique location that houses her multi-faceted business
• the various ways she utilizes her studio space
• running a wedding floral studio in a popular destination wedding location
• the importance and longevity of her talented team
• how she fosters creative freedom with her team
• the ease with which she's learned to work with destination brides long-distance
• her motivation for founding The Floral Reserve and the obstacles she's had to overcome
• her vision and execution of the physical space which houses The Floral Reserve

• Providence Steel & Iron Company
• Francoise Weeks
• Fairest Flowers Farm

Today we're visiting Ashley Fox, owner of Ashley Fox Designs in Woodbury, Minnesota to discuss:

• how she sets and meets goals
• knowing her boundaries and doing business with integrity
• how she edits the body of work she shares with the word to attract her ideal clients
• the value of sketching ideas as they come to her and putting them away for future clients
• saying 'NO'
• how her craving for visual stimulation led her to a creative career
• her desire to share with her community and colleagues
• the fears she had about moving her business and the surprising outcome
• how her garden mentor influenced her use of texture and color
• her experience with styling for catalogs
• how her installation work evolved into larger and more difficult designs

• Thymes Bed & Bath
• Saipua
• Nicolette Camille
• Flower Wild
• Aqueduto 
• Emily Avenson | Fleuropean