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...

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...

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...

In today’s episode, we’re visiting with flower farmer Grant Winkelmann, owner of Winkelmann Flowers, in Lindale, Texas. Grant shares not only how he’s built a farm producing sought-after blooms, but he also shares what it took to pull off his family’s recent relocation to a new farm. Grant discusses the challenges of moving, including the logistical hurdles and the emotional impact of leaving behind a supportive community. He shares insights into his farming techniques, the importance of his...

Sullivan Owen's journey into the floral industry is as unique as her designs. With a background in retail merchandising, Sullivan transitioned into floristry in 2009 while planning her own wedding. Her distinct style and dedication quickly earned her recognition, leading to a successful career in luxury weddings. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes, prompting Sullivan to explore new creative outlets, including gardening and ceramics. In this episode, we catch up with...

In this BB Podcast episode, Amy (Botanical Brouhaha) chats with Natalie & Meg (co-owners of Native Poppy) about the importance of creating a brand that sticks – meaning it continues to draw in ideal customers year after year. Drawing on Amy's recent experiences trying to find new service providers after relocating her business and life out-of-state, the conversation focuses on the lessons she's learned that can be applied to the other small businesses in the floral profession.  Amy,...

In Part 2 of this two-part podcast episode, co-hosts Amy and Natalie visit with Sarah Daken and Tom Precht of Grateful Gardeners and Floraponics, who transitioned from careers in law and neuroscience to flower farming. Tom discusses their innovative aquaponics system and the challenges they've faced in securing funding. The couple emphasizes their commitment to sustainable practices and the systemic barriers in agriculture. They advocate for policy changes and support other farmers on topics...

In Part 1 of this two-part podcast episode, co-hosts Amy and Natalie visit with Sarah Daken and Tom Precht of Grateful Gardeners and Floraponics, who transitioned from careers in law and neuroscience to flower farming. Sarah shares her journey from legal burnout to finding joy in growing flowers with her husband, Tom. Tom discusses their innovative aquaponics system and the challenges they've faced in securing funding. The couple emphasizes their commitment to sustainable practices and the...

In this episode of the Botanical Brouhaha podcast, Amy and Natalie talk with Anna Stouffer, owner of Urban Petals in Greer, South Carolina about her transition from a working in a law firm to becoming a successful floral designer. Anna shares her journey, starting with wedding floristry and eventually adding a retail component to her business. She discusses the challenges of managing both aspects, the support from the floral community, and the impact of motherhood on her business. Anna shares...

In this podcast episode, Emily Patrick, owner of Carolina Flowers, shares her journey from journalism to flower farming. She discusses the challenges and successes of starting and running her flower farm, including her approach to business, design, and financial management. Hosts Natalie and Amy engage Emily in a lively conversation about the evolution of Carolina Flowers, sustainable practices, and industry trends. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring...

In this episode, we visit with Imelda Ramos, owner of Cali Wholesale. Imelda shares her journey as the founder of a woman-owned company from starting as a small wholesale flower business to expanding her business and her footprint at the flower market. She discusses the importance of team training, effective communication with customers, and the challenges of sourcing flowers. Imelda also highlights the significance of managing expectations in the floral industry. Despite the demanding nature...

In this podcast episode, Sylvia Bustamante Gubbins, the founder of Madrid Flower School, shares her inspiring story of starting a new career in floral design at 48 and following the dream to open a flower school. As Sylvia continues to grow Madrid Flower School, she’s introducing new educational opportunities for floral designers to study the art and business of floristry. With the recent addition of Madrid Blooms Congress, we thought it was time to visit with Sylvia again! She shares how...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. Stacey K 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...