The Business & Pleasure of Flowers Vonda LaFever & Lori Wilson

Episode 229: Join us for an inspiring conversation with Bill McKinley, AIFD, CFD, an Instructional Associate Professor for floral design at Texas A&M University and the endowed chair of the Benz School of Floral Design. Bill shares his remarkable journey in the floral industry, from its humble beginnings to his current roles at TAMU which also include an advisor for the Forsythe student chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers (SAIFD). Discover how Bill's unwavering pas...

Episode 228: Lori and Vonda explore the various traditions and customs of celebrating Mother's Day across different parts of the world. Drawing from an article by Tierney McAfee, they discuss the different dates on which Mother's Day is celebrated internationally, as well as some common similarities such as the tradition of giving flowers. Join them as they share unique and fun traditions that can inspire and add a global touch to your own Mother's Day celebrations.Sponsored by: Flower ...

Episode 227: In this episode, Vonda and Lori are joined by Jennifer Barnard, from Tillies Flower Shop in Wichita, KS. With Mother's Day just around the corner, Jen shares valuable insights on marketing strategies that can still be implemented. She provides suggestions on how and what to do to maximize sales during this peak period. The hosts and guest also discuss the importance of getting your staff prepared and confident in selling, as well as the effectiveness of creating bundles and...

Episode 226: Join Vonda and Lori as they chat with Ralph Giordano AIFD, owner of Giordano's Floral Creations in Fort Pierce FL, and one of the "Core 4" AIFD Symposium Coordinators. Ralph shares his excitement for the upcoming AIFD National Symposium "Emerge" to be held in Orlando FL from July 2-6.Listen in to discover exciting details about the schedule of events and what you can expect to gain from attending. As a non-member of AIFD, Lori encourages everyone to attend and shares her thoughts...

Episode 225: In this episode, Vonda and Lori dive into the topic of trying new things in your flower business, specifically exploring trendier flower designs for websites and in-store displays. They discuss three main factors that often hold people back from embracing new trends, starting with the influence of mindset. By adopting an open mindset, you can overcome these barriers and allow new fresh offerings to customers. They also provide a follow-up on their recent in-person sympathy ...

Episode 224: In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Vonda and Lori delve into the insightful reflections of Eric Partaker's blog post, "20 Harsh Truths at 47 I Wish I Knew at 27." As they relate these timeless truths to their experiences in life and the floral industry, they explore the idea that with age comes wisdom and the perspective to appreciate the lessons learned along the way.Join us as we navigate through the intersections of personal growth, timeless wisdom, and the evolutio...