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

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

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