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

Episode 339: In this episode, Vonda and Lori explore a surprising truth about leadership: knowing better doesn’t always mean doing better. Drawing from recent research on behavior change, Lori unpacks why people resist advice, struggle to adopt new habits, and often become defensive when faced with feedback.

The conversation dives into the role of empathy, psychological safety, cognitive overload, and communication in creating meaningful change within teams. Lori shares the BRIDGE framework—a practical approach to helping employees grow through trust, collaboration, accountability, and ongoing dialogue.

Whether you’re managing a flower shop, leading a team, or simply trying to influence positive change in others, this episode offers valuable insights into how people learn, grow, and ultimately transform.

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

Episode 338: Most florists have seen the AFE logo, but many don’t realize just how much the American Floral Endowment impacts their business every day.

In this episode, Vonda and Lori sit down with Debi Chedester, Executive Director of the American Floral Endowment, to uncover the research, scholarships, internships, grants, and industry initiatives happening behind the scenes that help florists succeed.

Debi shares her unique journey into the floral industry, what surprised her most about the people who make it special, and how AFE has spent 65 years investing in the future of flowers. From flower quality and consumer research to sustainability, travel grants, and recruiting the next generation of industry professionals, this conversation highlights why AFE matters to every florist, whether you realize it or not.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• What the American Floral Endowment actually does
• How AFE research improves flower quality from seed to consumer
• Free resources available to florists right now
• Travel grant opportunities for industry events
• The growing importance of sustainability and Sustainabloom
• Why consumer and Gen Z research matters more than ever
• How AFE is preparing the industry for the next 5–10 years
• Ways florists can support and get involved with AFE

Whether you’re a retailer, wholesaler, grower, designer, or simply passionate about the floral industry, this episode offers a fascinating look at the organization quietly working behind the scenes to help flowers - and florists - thrive.

Because when we invest in the industry together, everyone blooms.

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

Episode 337: In this episode, we sit down with Mark Frye of Creative Occasions Flowers and Events to talk about his unexpected path—from speech pathologist to lumber salesman… to owning a flower shop for over 30 years.

Mark shares the real story behind the leap—the fear, the risk, and the early days of figuring it all out, including managing a team for the first time and learning to let go of control. What started as a side hustle quickly grew into a full-time business, shaped by faith, persistence, and a willingness to keep evolving.

We also dive into his YouTube series Blossoms & Bourbon, why teaching others actually grows your business, and his honest take on today’s wedding market—from working with all budget levels to where florists are leaving money on the table.

If you’re building a business, navigating change, or wondering what’s next, this conversation will remind you that the most unexpected paths often lead exactly where you’re meant to be.

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

Episode 336: What happens when the dream you’ve been working toward for 20 years suddenly doesn’t feel right anymore?

In this episode, we sit down with Kate Delaney from the Society of American Florists to talk about leadership, career pivots, and the quiet courage it takes to walk away from what you thought was “the plan.”

Kate shares her unexpected journey—from a part-time flower shop job to being on the path to ownership—and the moment everything shifted. What she thought was fear turned out to be something deeper: misalignment.

We dive into:

• The difference between fear and intuition
• Why ownership isn’t the only path in the floral industry
• Recognizing the “heaviness” that signals something isn’t right
• How to evaluate whether to persist or pivot
• The power of community and connection in this industry
• Asking the right questions (the “5 why” method) to find clarity

If you’ve ever questioned your next step, felt stuck between staying and leaving, or wondered if there’s another way forward—this conversation will meet you right where you are.

Because sometimes the bravest move isn’t pushing through… it’s choosing something better aligned with who you are.

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

Episode 335: This week, Lori is back and fresh off one of the most meaningful experiences of her life: meeting her new grandson.

As the conversation unfolds, what starts with sweet stories of new life and family quickly turns into something deeper. Together, Lori and Vonda reflect on empathy, growth, and the people who shape who we become, often without us realizing it in the moment.

They revisit last week’s conversation about mentors and life lessons, sharing personal stories of the individuals who challenged, encouraged, and quietly influenced their paths. From college professors to unexpected opportunities, it’s a reminder that the experiences we have, and the people we encounter, often lead us exactly where we’re meant to go.

The conversation also weaves into real-life business moments, from preparing for a major floral photo shoot to navigating creativity, trends, and the balance between personal taste and what truly serves your customers.

It’s heartfelt, honest, and full of those “aha” moments that make you pause and think about your own journey.

Because sometimes, the things that shape us the most… don’t make sense until we look back.

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