Team Flower show

Team Flower

Summary: Listen as we talk with influential florists, growers and flower industry professionals. Be notified when new podcast episodes are released and receive fun video tutorials when you sign up for our Pen Pal Club for free at www.teamflower.org

Podcasts:

 The Biology of Flower Farming with Bloom and Gray | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:35:27

Joining us today on the podcast is Sarah Gray of Bloom and Gray from Yorkshire, UK. She made the jump from marine biology to flower farming when she grew a few flowers for her wedding. The rest is history! Everything we’re talking about in some way circles back to her passion for biology and how the earth is meant to function. Recently, Sarah has implemented a worm farm. If you’re thinking, “What is a worm farm and should I have one?” then tune in because you’ll find out! On that note, we’re also talking about some of the critters and pests Sarah has to battle, like thrips on dahlias. This is 100% the best episode for flower nerds. We ask Sarah to dive into the biology of growing flowers, and she does not disappoint! You are bound to learn something in this episode! Everything from soil composition to seed starters and so much in between. Sarah has a half-acre flower farm in East Yorkshire, UK. She sells hand-tied bouquets and bouquet subscriptions. She runs workshops in her tipi, provides wedding buckets, and runs a growing YouTube channel all about flower farming. AND, she’s about to launch my first online workshop! Find Sarah on Instagram @bloomandgray and online at www.bloomandgray.co.uk.

 The Life of a Retail Florist with Sweet Memories Flowers | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:35:03

Juliana McWilliams has such a sweet perspective of the floral industry after growing up in a flower shop and taking it over from her mom. Today on the podcast, she’s sharing many of the lessons she’s learned over the years. We’re chatting about: - Changes within the floral industry - Operating a shop out of a studio - How to decide what arrangements to offer on your website - Tips for handling wedding inquiries - Keeping deliveries and weddings separate - Finding the marriage between old school and new school We’re also feeling all the feels as we talk through the beauty of the floral community. Floristry can be a lonely job—even for extroverts—and finding your flower friends is imperative in seeing success in your business and in the pursuit of your life. Juliana is a wife, mom, and lifelong flower lover. Her love for flowers runs deep as her mom, Shelley, owned and operated Sweet Memories all throughout Juliana’s childhood. The business has now passed from mother to daughter and Juliana is full to the brim with inspiration and ideas to bring the joy of flowers to Visalia, California in a multitude of ways. Sweet Memories currently offers fresh, California-grown, floral arrangements to order on a weekly basis as well as full-service floral arranging for high-end weddings both in the Central Valley and the Coast. Find Juliana on Instagram @sweetmemoriesflowers and online at www.sweetmemoriesfloral.com.

 Pricing Sustainably in the Floral Industry with Le Champagne Projects | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:36:53

Today on the podcast, we’re covering two hot topics: sustainability and pricing! Kelly Dickenson of Le Champagne Projects has taken many steps to live a life of low-waste, so that easily translated over to her business. She’s sharing a few ways in which her wedding floral business champions sustainable practices. We’re also chatting quite about pricing within the industry. You’ll hear what types of things you should consider when you’re determining your price and markup (like time, labor, cost of flowers, and more), as well as a few pointers on paying freelancers. It is imperative that floral professionals of all kinds really dig into the floral community and offer a safe place to be vulnerable, transparent, and open to change. This is the best way for the industry to maintain current standards as well as progress into a places of growth! Le Champagne Projects is a boutique floral design studio located in San Diego. Kelly creates whimsical, romantic, and environmentally friendly wedding florals for couples throughout Southern California. Her focus is on sustainability without compromising style. You can find her on Instagram @champagneprojects and online at lechampagneprojects.com.

 Regenerative Gardening with Blossom and Branch Farm | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:34:44

You will not leave this podcast interview without learning a thing or two from Briana. She is passionate about growing organically and regeneratively, and we’re discussing all kinds of things related to organic growing. Briana has a beautiful perspective of nature and growing, and her passion is contagious! Have you ever heard of invasive plants? Briana is not only defining this term for us, but she’s sharing how we, as an industry, can work together to eliminate these plants in our native environments. You’ll hear a few practical ways you can participate in making this a reality. We’re also chatting about Briana’s efforts to rehabilitate the native habitat around her farm. This has proven to be incredibly beneficial to their growing process! Briana and her husband started Blossom and Branch Farm in 2019. They are a regenerative flower farm that focuses on growing non-invasive blooms and rehabilitating the native habitat around their farm. They sell their flowers at their farm stand as well as offer growing workshops and wedding florals. You can find Briana online at www.blossomandbranchfarm.com and on Instagram @blossomandbranchfarm.

 Conquering the Obstacles of a Flower Farm with Keep Floral | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:31:41

The year of COVID brought about many hardships, but also countless beautiful flower stories. Emma of Keep Floral is the keeper of one of these inspiring stories. Her flower farm was born in the midst of 2020, and she’s sharing some of the obstacles she’s faced as a grower. We’re also chatting about the importance of sourcing seeds, bulbs, and tubers locally. Not only does this ensure you’re choosing flowers that grow well in your area, but it also gives you a network of growers to learn from! Emma is the lead designer and owner of Keep Floral which is a full-service design studio and flower farm. They offer everything from full-service design services to elopements to corporate installs to workshops to the occasional farmer’s market pop-up—basically, if there are kind people and pretty flowers involved, sign Emma up! Currently, they're celebrating the expansion of their farm which added another 16 50ft flower beds, a hoop house and they're now finalizing the plans to build a brand new studio! Give them a follow on Instagram at @Keep.Floral.

 The In's and Out's of Foraging with Deidre Fraser | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:35:35

Deidre has such a unique business model, and we get to hear all about her partnership with a local restaurant! It’s further evidence that there are so many avenues one can take in the floral industry. Our big topic today is foraging. There’s something about noticing and appreciating a plant in all of its glory. What does one look for when foraging? What should you stay away from? WHY would you want to forage? Deidre has answers and tips for all of these questions! You’ll also hear about the topic of conditioning—what it means and how to do it! Deidre is a full-time specialty gardener, forager, and florist for Restaurant Pearl Morissette, a restaurant at one of Canada's finest winery estates, in Niagara, Ontario. They are a seasonally focused restaurant primarily providing regeneratively grown and responsibly harvested ingredients. The restaurant was named the #4 restaurant in Canada. You can find Deidre on instagram @vibrant_matter, and the restaurant can be found at @restaurant_pearlmorissette or online at www.restaurantpearlmorissette.com.

 Finding Your Place with Flowers with Black Girl Florists | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:31:48

Black Girl Florists is a place that celebrates and supports Black women in floral design. They offer a list of Black women in the floral industry that people can shop from. They also provide resources and information to help grow their businesses. It truly is an incredible opportunity for the floral industry to support and embrace inclusivity, and founder Valerie is here to talk with us all about it! We’re also chatting about what it takes to break out of the creativity box to test and challenge ourselves in the realm of design. This is an important conversation to remember that there's space at the table for everyone and that we all need to be open to giving as well as receiving. Follow along on Instagram @blackgirlflorists and visit them online at www.blackgirlflorists.com.

 Adding Unique Offerings to Your Floral Business with Castillo de Flores | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:33:54

Castillo De Flores is a small flower business that Daniella started out of her dorm in college when she was going through a difficult time. Flowers are a therapeutic outlet for her—they remind her to keep blooming which she hopes to remind others through her creations. Through her business, she highlights her culture by incorporating Latino factors as much as possible. She has several unique floral offerings that are rooted in her love for her culture, and have become true staple pieces that her clients gravitate towards. You’ll also hear about battling self-doubt, helpful resources for learning floral design, and tips for creating TikTok and Instagram reels. Daniella also gives back to the community by donating blooms to shelters or raising funds for certain causes. And currently, she's prepping to launch a dried floral collection on her website! Follow her on Instagram @castillodeflores7.

 The Joy of Teaching Floral Design with Anne van Midden | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:33:22

On this episode of the podcast, Anne joins us from the Netherlands. We jump right into chatting about making changes in your business and watching it morph into something you love as your dreams and desires change. It is apparent as you listen that Anne has a heart for genuinely connecting with others and teaching them about floral art. She loves it SO much that she accomplishes lesson-planing, recording, editing, teaching, and publishing all of her lessons! She’s a force to be reckoned with, and yet has a contagiously sweet spirit that comes across in every one of her 25+ classes! We’re also chatting about her floral art—what it looks like, what it means to her, and how it affects her creative process. Each of her pieces of art is backed by a grounding and relatable story, so she’s sharing a few of those as well as what mechanics she uses to create her masterpieces. Anne is a floral artist creating foam-free installations for brands, photoshoots, and simply for the sake of art. She also teaches natural floral design to flower lovers all over the world, both in her studio and online. Anne celebrates every time one of her students makes something they are proud of AND this year marks the 9-year anniversary of her business! Follow her on Instagram @annevanmidden and visit her website online at www.annevanmidden.com.

 A La Carte Weddings with Rust + Thistle | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:39:29

This episode of the Team Flower Podcast is bound to leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and a bit more knowledgeable as Emily Campagna of Rust + Thistle takes the time to share both practical tips and positive mental shifts. You’ll hear about her journey to flowers which led her straight through an intense year of freelancing. She’s sharing a few tips for anyone in the business of freelancing! We’re also chatting about the manual labor required in the floral industry. It’s often overlooked by those outside of the industry—things like sweeping floors, breaking down boxes, and washing buckets. Speaking of washing buckets, everyone has a method for washing a load of them, and Emily is sharing hers! Rust + Thistle does much to serve their community and their clients. From weekly deliveries to full service events, Emily serves a vast number of people! She also offers an a la carte wedding option for those who don’t have the budget for a full-service wedding. Tune in to hear why this could be a good option for your floral business and how to navigate what to offer and communicating with clients. Rust + Thistle Floral is a wedding and event florist serving the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The floral design studio is run on Emily's property in Downtown Boise. For inspiration and beauty, visit the Rust + Thistle website at www.rustandthistle.com and follow along on Instagram at @rustandthistlefloral.

 Flowers Forever with Framed Florals | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:31:04

Do you ever look at a flower and say, “I wish you could last forever.”? Lacie Porta of Framed Florals asked the same thing after her wedding, and she found a way to make it happen! Today, she’s chatting all about how she preserves the flowers we all wish lived on and on. You’ll hear about her pressing process and some tips on what to do vs what not to do! There are some flowers that are easier to dry than others, and if you choose the right bloom, you can even press some yourself! We’re chatting about how Lacie interacts with her clients—covering everything from consultation to booking to project implementation. Did you know she sometimes works directly with floral designers? This floral community extends far beyond shop owners, growers, and event designers. It is vast and beautiful! Finally, Lacie paints a picture of her lovely, light-filled studio space that she shares with a couple of other creatives. Just wait until you hear what she listens to while she works! Framed Florals is a flower preservation studio based in Brooklyn New York. Framed Florals preserves flowers in handmade float frames in a signature airy design. Framed Florals celebrated 5 years in business and in 2022 has become a part of the 1% for the planet pledge! Give Lacie a follow on Instagram @framedflorals or find her online at framedflorals.com.

 Setting Healthy Boundaries with Lily Roden | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:37:52

We’re covering a slew of topics in this episode of the Team Flower Podcast. Lily Roden happened upon a life with flowers when she needed them most. We’re broaching the topic of mental health within the floral industry, discussing ways in which we can practically set boundaries in our work and in our lives. We’ll also cover some other practical tips, like how to pack a van full of flowers for delivery and the best way to accomplish the most tasks in one day (here’s a hint: you can’t do it all!). Finally, Llily is sharing how the floral community has helped and encouraged her. Community is a powerful tool! Tap into it to battle loneliness and the ever-looming imposter syndrome. Lily Roden Floral Studio is a boutique floral studio in SoCal specializing in weddings and large events. They love garden style, lush, bouncy and whimsical blooms. They have recently launched education (for other florists) and are celebrating those little milestones every day. Lily is also a mother and wife... so life is a little crazy! Find her online at lilyroden.com or on social @lilyroden.

 "The Flower School" with Joseph Massie | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:44:53

Joseph Massie joined the floral industry at the age of 14 washing buckets and running errands. Since then, he has grown to be a world renowned floral artist and educator. We’re talking about how Joseph’s career began and how it has morphed into what it is today. With all of his experience, he has some great wisdom for beginning florists about what skills to hone in on and develop first. “The Flower School” is Joseph’s first book and is available to preorder now and it is a MUST HAVE. We’re chatting all about the book—what you’ll find inside, why he wrote it, and Joseph’s favorite chapter. You’ll also hear him explain The Golden Ratio as well as why he believes it’s important to work in a monochromatic color palette in order to grasp the fundamentals of design. You’ll be so encouraged by Joseph’s light-hearted banter coupled with his perspective on floral design. He is a gift to the floral world and has so much to share! Joseph Massie is a fine artist, designer and educator, whose practice includes couture, sculpture and installation works created with flora. He is the Creative Director of both Joseph Massie Flowers, a luxury Flower Studio, and the Joseph Massie Flower School. He is the proud holder of five RHS Chelsea Gold Medals. In addition, Joseph is the co-host of the popular Flowers After Hours Podcast, and he also publishes both his Youtube Channel and Blog—packed full of free floral resources for the flower lover. We are so excited about the publication of Joseph's debut book, The Flower School; The Principles and Pleasures of Good Flowers. Learn more about Joseph on Instaram @josephmassie or online at www.josephmassie.com.

 Best Tips for Building and Outfitting Your Floral Studio | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:31:23

Anna and Brian are a husband and wife floral design team specializing in large scale weddings and events. They’re currently in the process of converting a barn on their property into a fully finished floral design studio! This is such a neat process, and they’re talking about all of the details, including: - Planning for a heating/cooling system - Places to find simple shelving - Logistics of plumbing and creating a kitchenette The Meristem duo are also sharing about their journey to flowers—what they did before and how and why they came to the floral industry. Both Anna and Brian bring specific skills to their business which has helped them be successful in their floral venture. You’ll hear how you can be an asset in the floral industry—even if you classify yourself as more of a “nerd” than a “creator.” Finally, you’ll hear about the types of arrangements Anna and Brian create for their clients as well as Anna’s favorite thing to design. She’s even talking us through some simple steps of creating an urn arrangement, including types of greenery and flowers to incorporate! You can find Anna and Brian on Instagram at @meristemfloral or visit their website at www.meristemfloral.com.

 All About Plants (and Some Other Floral Things!) with Plant Office | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:42:48

John Sundling of Plant Office is joining us on the Team Flower Podcast today. This episode is FULL of meaty content. We’re talking all about plants—how his shop is set up, what kinds of plants he keeps in stock, and tips for giving your clients basic plant care information. He’s even giving a big of wisdom to floral shop owners who carry plants in their retail store. Next up is sourcing! Plants, pots, and flowers, oh my! You’ll hear where John is getting his flowers in (and out) of growing season and what it looks like to stay busy in the “off” season (if there even is one of those!). John is doing all kinds of wonderful things for his local community. Not only does he provide top-notch plants and flowers for his clients, he also partners with several businesses in the area to complete large floral installations. These give him an opportunity to both provide inspiration and beautify the town. On top of all of that, he has partnered with various others in Maine to create the Maine Floral Collective, a cooperative to support flower growers and retail owners. Plant Office is a houseplant store & floral studio based in Portland, Maine. They started with a focus on flowers for their local food & hospitality industry, and have grown to become a botanical retail destination in their quaint seaside village. Besides indoor plants, Plant Office is known for their large-scale installations, dried floral work, & colorful design sensibility. Plant Office was officially founded in 2018, though John has been working primarily on this project since 2016. You find them at plantoffice.net or @plant.office on instagram.

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