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

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

Episode 345: Social media doesn’t have to feel like another full-time job.In this episode, Lori and Audrey sit down with Sarah LoBue AIFD of Main Street Florist to talk about how flower shops can create a social media presence that feels authentic, connects with local customers, and keeps their business top of mind—without spending hours trying to create the perfect post.

Sarah shares practical takeaways from her “Elevate Your Social Media Brand” workshop at AIFD Symposium, including why your online presence should feel like a window into your flower shop rather than a billboard. It’s not just about beautiful flowers. It’s about showing your people, your personality, the behind-the-scenes moments, and the things that make your shop feel like your shop.

They talk about getting comfortable in front of the camera, using Stories as an easy place to start, jumping on trends without losing your brand voice, and finding the right mix of educational, entertaining, and sales-focused content.

Plus, Sarah shares why consistency beats creativity, how she gets her team involved in creating content, what she’s learned about Facebook vs. Instagram, and why some of the simplest posts can get the biggest response.

If social media has been sitting at the bottom of your to-do list because you don’t have enough time, content, or confidence, this conversation is your reminder: you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to start.

Sarah’s three tips for florists ready to lean into social media?

Be consistent. Show a face. Stop trying to be perfect.

Hit post. Your customers want to see the real people—and the real flower shop—behind the flowers.

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

Episode 344: Empathy is not something you either have or you don’t - it is a skill you can practice, strengthen, and sometimes struggle to access.

In this episode, Vonda and Lori continue their conversation about empathy in leadership by exploring the framework from Empathy Is Not a Weakness by Lauren Sanders. They break down the word EMPATHY into practical behaviors leaders can use to create stronger teams, healthier communication, and more psychological safety in the workplace.

From examining personal blind spots and managing mindfulness to practicing perspective, communicating tactfully, and replacing “no way” with “tell me more,” this honest and humorous conversation challenges leaders to look closely at how their words, reactions, and facial expressions affect the people around them.

You’ll also hear real-life stories about difficult conversations, leadership mistakes, design instructors who build confidence - or tear it down - and why listening for understanding can be more powerful than immediately offering advice.

Empathetic leadership does not mean lowering expectations. It means learning how to lead people with clarity, dignity, self-awareness, and care.

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

Episode 343: Empathy is not just about feeling someone else’s emotions—it can shape how we communicate, lead our teams, serve customers, and respond when someone needs help.

In the second of this series, Lori and Vonda explore the three types of empathy: cognitive, somatic, and compassionate. They break down how each one appears in everyday flower shop situations, from helping an overwhelmed customer and responding to a delivery complaint to supporting a grieving family or stepping in when an employee is falling behind.

They also discuss the risks that come with each type of empathy, including manipulation, emotional exhaustion, burnout, and creating dependency instead of growth. Through personal stories, flower shop examples, and plenty of honest conversation, Lori and Vonda explain how empathy works through the head, the heart, and the hands—and why healthy boundaries matter.

This episode will help you recognize the empathy you already use, understand your natural tendencies, and become more intentional about how you connect with your customers, employees, and community.

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

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