The Business & Pleasure of Flowers

Hosted by Vonda LaFever & Lori Wilson

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Episodes

358

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Join Vonda LaFever and Lori Wilson as they share expert advice, insider tips, and a whole lot of fun on all things floral. While everyone loves flowers, running a floral business can come with its fair share of challenges that might make you lose sight of the joy it brings. In this engaging and informative podcast, Vonda’s wealth of floral expertise pairs perfectly with Lori’s background in teaching, sales training, and life coaching to deliver valuable insights you can use right away. From industry trends and the flower shop of the future to overcoming obstacles like boosting sales and building a stellar customer service team, they’ve got you covered. Discover how small shifts in your mindset and approach can create big transformations in your business and life. Hit subscribe to put the pleasure back into your life, go back to loving flowers, find fresh inspiration, and bring the joy back to your business!

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60 recent

October 13, 2026Episode 35536 min

Sustainability Without the Overwhelm: Small Steps That Make a Big Impact

Episode 355: When you hear the word sustainability , do you immediately think of composting, eliminating floral foam, or making expensive changes to your flower shop? What if you’re already doing more than you realize? In this episode Vonda and Lori welcome Amanda Solliday, Senior Manager of Sustainabloom, an initiative of the American Floral Endowment , for a refreshing conversation about what sustainability really means for the floral industry. Spoiler alert: It’s about a whole lot more than being environmentally friendly! Amanda breaks down the three pillars of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—and explains why taking care of your employees, reducing waste, and building a profitable business are all part of the bigger picture. Together, they explore: Why sustainability is a mindset, not just a checklist. Simple things your flower shop may already be doing that count as sustainable practices. How sustainability and profitability can work together. Why composting isn’t necessarily the best place to start. How Sustainabloom’s FREE FLOWS planning framework can help you identify opportunities without feeling overwhelmed. The importance of starting small, celebrating wins, and choosing changes that make sense for YOUR business. Plus, you’ll hear a few laughs about skincare serums, recycled Nespresso pods, and Lori’s latest fascination with the Biltmore Estate! The biggest takeaway? You don’t have to do everything to make a difference. Start with one thing, make it work, and build from there. Whether you’re just beginning to think about sustainability or looking for ways to do more, this episode will leave you with practical ideas and a fresh perspective on creating a floral business that’s good for your people, your community, and your bottom line. Learn more about Sustainabloom and explore their free sustainability resources: www.sustainabloom.org Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

October 6, 2026Episode 35431 min

Same Business, Different Lens: Building Flower Clique as Mother & Daughter

Episode 354: What happens when your daughter becomes your business partner and the person challenging you to see things differently? With Lori out this week, Vonda and EllieJo sit down for a candid conversation about what it’s really like to build Flower Clique together as mother and daughter. They look back at their earliest days working side by side in the flower shop, the shift from parent-and-child to true business partners, and the moments when learning to trust each other’s strengths changed the way they worked together. From generational differences and giving up control to technology, relationships, boundaries, and the occasional Saturday Slack message, they share the challenges, risks, and unexpected rewards of working with family. They also explore one of the things that makes their partnership work so well: they don’t always see the business through the same lens. Vonda brings decades of floral industry experience, practicality, and an instinct for what will actually work in a flower shop. Ellie Jo brings a consumer perspective, branding, technology, and a constant eye toward what’s next. Somewhere in the middle, the best ideas tend to emerge. It’s a conversation about family, entrepreneurship, trust, and the value of surrounding yourself with people who see your business differently than you do. Because sometimes growth doesn’t come from agreeing—it comes from being willing to listen. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

September 29, 2026Episode 35331 min

Do It Even If Your Voice Shakes: Turning Fear Into Fuel

Episode 353: What if the thing holding your flower shop back isn’t the economy, your customers, or your competition—but fear? In this episode, Vonda and Lori get real about fear: from childhood worries about quicksand and stuffed animals coming to life (thanks, Scooby-Doo) to the very real fears that show up when you own a business. What if I raise my prices and customers stop buying? Can I really afford to hire someone? What if I show up on social media and people judge me? What if I make the wrong decision? But there’s another question we don’t ask nearly enough: What happens if I don’t do it? Vonda and Lori share some of the business decisions that scared them most, why fear can sometimes disguise itself as “being responsible,” and how shifting fear into excitement can help you move forward. They also talk about using your numbers, your support system, and even AI to separate actual facts from the scary stories running through your head. Because courage doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid. Sometimes it simply means deciding that what’s on the other side of the fear matters more. So here’s the question for every flower shop owner: What decision are you avoiding because you’re calculating the risk of doing it - but not the risk of doing nothing? Do it anyway. Even if your voice shakes. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

September 22, 2026Episode 35229 min

Think One Level Up: How to Become the Employee Everyone Wants on Their Team

Episode 352: What does it actually look like to think like a leader—even when you’re not the boss? In this episode, Vonda and Lori unpack the idea of “thinking one level above your current role” and what that looks like in the real world of flower shops and the floral industry. It’s not necessarily about getting a new title or climbing a corporate ladder. Sometimes, moving up means becoming the person your team can count on—the one who spots a problem before it becomes a crisis, brings a possible solution instead of just pointing out what’s wrong, and understands how their role affects the entire business. Vonda and Lori talk through practical ways to develop that mindset, including making decisions without escalating every little thing, knowing when to ask permission and when to take initiative, seeking out opportunities instead of waiting for them, and learning to see the bigger picture beyond your own job description. They also tackle the other side of the equation: owners and managers have to create enough trust and freedom for employees to actually step up. Whether you’re an owner, manager, designer, salesperson, or aspiring leader, this conversation will challenge you to look beyond the tasks in front of you and ask: Am I simply doing my job—or am I already thinking at the next level? Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

September 15, 2026Episode 35125 min

You Can’t Control the Storm, But You Can Control Your Mindset

Episode 351: What do flight delays, a rainy team retreat, flower shop ownership, and a ship taking on water have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Vonda and Lori are fresh off the Flower Clique team retreat and reflecting on what happens when you step away from the day-to-day, spend real time with your team, and create space for honest conversations. From one-on-ones that helped team members feel seen and heard to the reminder that everyone has their own little quirks, the retreat reinforced just how important connection is to building a strong team. Then the conversation turns to mindset and one powerful idea: all the water in the world can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside. As business owners, there will always be things we can’t control: tariffs, rising costs, employee dynamics, difficult customers, travel delays, the news, and plenty of opinions about what we should or shouldn’t be doing. We need to be aware of what’s happening, but we don’t have to give every outside influence permission to take up space in our minds. Vonda and Lori talk about learning to separate thoughts from facts, focusing on what you can control, and recognizing when it’s time to simply put a thought “on the train” and let it keep moving. Because protecting your mindset doesn’t mean ignoring reality. It means refusing to let the things you can’t control become the anchor that keeps you and your business from moving forward. Guard your mind. Protect your focus. And keep the water out. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

September 8, 2026Episode 35036 min

Stop Competing and Start Profiting: The Numbers Every Florist Needs to Know with Derrick Myers

Episode 350: What does it really take to run a profitable flower shop? In this episode, Vonda and Lori sit down with floral industry CPA Derrick Myers of Crockett Myers to talk about the numbers that can make, or break, a flower shop. After more than 40 years working with florists, Derrick has seen firsthand where shops are losing money, where opportunities are being missed, and what the most profitable owners do differently. Derrick shares the unlikely story of how he went from studying chemistry to becoming one of the floral industry’s best-known accounting experts, including the legendary tiki hut that helped him build his business one florist (and frozen margarita) at a time. Then, the conversation gets down to business. They dig into the three areas every florist should be watching closely: cost of goods, labor, and delivery. Derrick explains why rising flower costs can’t simply be absorbed, why your landed cost matters, how often you should be evaluating pricing, and why worrying about what the flower shop down the street charges could be costing you money. They also talk delivery fees, labor percentages, website delivery matrices, wire services, and the financial benchmarks Derrick uses with more than 160 flower shops across the country. But his biggest piece of advice has nothing to do with a spreadsheet: profitable owners learn to work ON their business instead of spending every day buried IN it. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re charging enough, spending too much, or truly making money on every order, this episode will give you a whole new way to look at your flower shop. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

September 1, 2026Episode 34934 min

Book the Ticket: Building a Flower Shop That Can Run Without You with Jenny and Charles Ingrum

Episode 349: What would happen if you actually left your flower shop and took the vacation? In this episode, Vonda and Lori sit down with floral industry power couple Jenny and Charles Ingrum (Jenny Ingrum AIFD • PFCI • EMC • AAF • CEJ and Charles Ingrum owner of Dr. Delphinium Dallas, TX) for a conversation about creativity, business, leadership, and building a life beyond the shop. Charles shares how he went from software and numbers to purchasing Dr. Delphinium—and how learning to work on the business instead of in it helped him build a team that doesn’t need him to make every decision. From intentional delegation and clear roles to empowering employees to take care of customers without asking permission, he explains what it really takes to create a business that can thrive when the owner isn’t in the building. Jenny brings the creative side of the equation, sharing how her career as a floral designer, educator, competitor, and former shop owner has evolved—and how she and Charles have influenced each other’s perspectives on both business and design. They also talk about the importance of staying curious, recognizing potential in young designers, stepping back up to the design bench when the team needs you, and why floral professionals can benefit from experiencing both the creative world of AIFD and the business education and community of SAF. And, of course, there’s the question every overworked flower shop owner needs to hear: Can you really take the vacation without everything falling apart? Charles and Jenny say yes. Start small. Empower your people. Look at your numbers. Find the slow week. And then? Book the ticket. Because sometimes the best thing you can do for your business—and yourself—is give your team the opportunity to figure it out without you. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

August 25, 2026Episode 34831 min

Roses & Thorns: Clique Catchup and Our SAF 2026 Recap

Episode 348: We’re back from SAF Convention and maybe still recovering a little. In this episode, Lori and Vonda are joined by Ellie LaFever as we all share our roses, our thorns, and the moments that made this year’s convention one to remember. From an emotional awards banquet and inspiring education sessions to hands-on floral design, Flower Clique meetups, Next Gen connections, and even a late-night pizza party on the beach, there was a lot to take in. But one theme kept coming up: connection. We talk about why face-to-face time with industry friends and Flower Clique members is worth the energy it takes to get there, how Next Gen is creating a stronger sense of community for the future of floristry, and why the value of an industry conference goes far beyond what you learn in a classroom. We also share a few favorite sessions, what made this year’s convention feel different, and why sometimes the conversations between sessions are every bit as valuable as the sessions themselves. It’s a little tired, a little sentimental, and a whole lot of appreciation for the people who make this industry what it is. Plus, we’re already looking ahead to the holidays with our upcoming Holiday Countdown: From Concept to Cooler workshop with FlowerBuddy. Register here: The Holiday Countdown: From Concept to Cooler Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

August 18, 2026Episode 34726 min

The Password Problem: Protecting Your Flower Shop in the Age of AI

Episode 347: Passwords, verification codes, fingerprints, Face ID… why does simply logging into your own accounts have to be so complicated? In this episode, Vonda and Lori tackle the love-hate relationship we all have with multi-factor authentication (MFA)—and why those extra 20 seconds of frustration could save your flower shop from a much bigger headache. They talk about the places floral business owners may be most vulnerable, including email, banking, point-of-sale systems, websites, social media, payroll, vendor accounts, and shared employee logins. Plus, they explore how AI is making cybersecurity even more important as scams and phishing attempts become harder to recognize. You’ll walk away with practical steps you can take today to better protect your business, your customers, and your team—without needing to become a cybersecurity expert. Because MFA may be annoying…but getting hacked is a whole lot worse. Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist

August 11, 2026Episode 34628 min

What Your Team Is Really Learning From You: Leadership Lessons That Stick

Episode 346: What makes a great leader? It turns out, it’s probably not having all the answers. In this episode, Vonda and Lori unpack a list of management lessons that still ring true after 20 years of leadership—and talk about what they look like in the real world of small business and flower shops. They dig into why great leaders have to repeat themselves (more than they think they should), how a lack of clarity can look like a performance problem, and why motivating your team may be less important than removing the friction that’s getting in their way. They also tackle one of the biggest challenges for flower shop owners: letting go. How do you build systems, delegate responsibility, and create a team that can keep the “flywheel” spinning without being dependent on you for every decision? And then there’s the leadership lesson that might sting a little: your team copies what you tolerate, not what you say. From difficult employees and avoided conversations to trust, consistency, curiosity, ego, and emotional regulation, Vonda and Lori share what they’ve learned from leading the Flower Clique team—and from years of conversations with flower shop owners. The biggest takeaway? The longer you lead, the more you realize leadership isn’t about certainty. It’s about staying curious, keeping an open mind, and being willing to ask, Could there be a better way? Sponsored by: Flower Clique Flower Clique Prep School Real Life Retail Florist