Episode 342: Can empathy really make your flower shop more profitable? In this episode, Lori shares the key lessons from her leadership presentation at AIFD Symposium and explains why empathy isn’t just a personality trait, it’s a skill that can be learned and strengthened.

Lori and Vonda unpack the biggest misconceptions about empathy, including why understanding someone’s perspective doesn’t mean you have to agree with them. They explore the difference between sympathy and empathy, how empathy builds stronger teams, and why business owners need healthy boundaries alongside genuine care.

The conversation also dives into practical, real-world situations every flower shop owner faces: supporting employees through difficult seasons, handling challenging customer interactions, creating loyalty through authentic leadership, and avoiding burnout by practicing what Lori calls “professional empathy.”

Along the way, Lori shares a deeply personal story about losing her brother and the friend who showed her what true empathy looks like, not by fixing the pain, but simply by being there.

You’ll also hear:

• Why empathy is a learnable leadership skill
• The difference between sympathy and empathy
• How empathy improves employee engagement, creativity, and retention
• A simple 10-minute leadership technique for difficult employee conversations
• Why boundaries are essential for empathetic leaders
• A preview of the three types of empathy: cognitive, compassionate, and somatic

And before the leadership lessons begin, Lori shares an exciting personal milestone: after talking about it for two years, she’s finally taking her very first pickleball lesson, a small but meaningful step toward practicing the work-life balance she encourages others to pursue.

Whether you lead a flower shop, manage a team, or simply want to become a better leader, this episode offers practical insights that will help you build stronger relationships and a healthier workplace.

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 341: Fresh from AIFD Symposium 2026, Vonda reflects on the moments that mattered most and they weren’t always found on the stage. In this heartfelt solo episode, she shares why kindness, mentorship, and making first-time attendees feel welcome are essential to the future of the floral industry. Join us for a conversation about community, belonging, and the ripple effect of one encouraging word. Because the greatest thing we can arrange isn’t just flowers - it’s confidence in another person.

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 340: What does it really mean to “make it pretty?”

In this first Moments with Marlin episode, floral industry favorite Marlin Hargrove joins Lori and Vonda for a conversation that’s about so much more than flowers. Together, they explore the responsibility florists carry as the keepers of the pretty—taking a customer’s vision, interpreting it with care, and delivering something meaningful to the person receiving it.

Along the way, they discuss:

• Why listening is the most important design skill you’ll ever develop.
• The surprising secret to finding great designers (hint: grow your own).
• How letting go of perfection makes you a better leader.
• Wedding trends, fearless color, and what’s changing in floral design.
• Lessons learned from educating florists through Green Mountain Floral Supply.
• Why “pretty” is deeply personal—and how every arrangement tells someone else’s story.

Filled with wisdom, laughter, and Marlin’s unforgettable one-liners, this episode is a reminder that florists don’t just arrange flowers—they translate emotions, preserve memories, and carry beauty from one heart to another.

Because in the end, our job isn’t to make it perfect… it’s to make it pretty.

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist