As Season 7 of the BB Podcast draws to a close, we’re taking time to answer some of the floral questions we’ve received over the last few months from our listeners. This was a short season, but it was packed with valuable lessons and engaging discussions. We couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up the season than with a Q&A session!

A New Feature: The Podcast Inbox

One of the highlights of this season was the introduction of our podcast inbox where our listeners got the opportunity to leave voice or text messages for us. We received lots of great questions, kind encouragements, and helpful insights.

In this episode, we’re introducing a new feature for Season 8. We’re excited to offer listeners the opportunity to purchase shout-outs for their flower friends and colleagues in an effort to continue spreading encouragement in our profession. It’s a win-win. You encourage a friend, we use the contribution to help offset production costs to continue bringing great content. We hope you’ll check it out and participate! Simply visit our inbox and click on the PERKS tab to get started. We can’t wait to share your shout outs in our opening dialogue!

Sylvia Bustamante Gubbins, Founder of  Madrid Flower School | Estúdio Seiva

Gratitude to Our Supporters

As we wrap up this season, we’d like to express our gratitude to Sylvia Bustamante Gubbins, founder of  Madrid Flower School,  for her unwavering support of the BB Podcast. Sylvia’s school offers an opportunity to study floristry in Europe, with an English Professional Program and top-notch curriculum. Because of our collaboration with Madrid Flower School, we were able to bring you great content in Season 7. Thanks, Sylvia and MFS!

The Art of Floral Design

In this episode (No. 114), we open with a follow-up discussion addressing the hiccup Natalie mentioned in a previous episode. She’d experienced a few challenges while using AgraWool at an event. Sarah and Tiffany, two of our listeners, provided tips on using the product effectively, such as wrapping it in chicken wire, using it for day-of events only, and limiting stem insertions.

Pricing Transparency in the Floral Industry

One of the main topics we address in this Q&A is money and pricing. Natalie shares her thoughts on the importance of pricing transparency in the floral industry and the need for florists to be respected and valued for their artistry and expertise.

Natalie explains the pricing strategy used in her San Diego shop. At Native Poppy, her team uses a four times markup on most flowers, but they have calculated formulas for certain items that may require a higher or lower markup. They also have a spreadsheet to track their markups and flower loss, and they have time limits for making arrangements to ensure profitability.

Staff Payment and Freelancers’ Pay

Natalie shares insights on staff payment, explaining that the pay for their staff depends on various factors such as experience level, job title, job duties, and length of time with the company. They also offer healthcare benefits and give each team member a an allotment of complimentary flowers.

We also discuss the topic of hiring freelancers and the range of fees they charge for their expertise. Specialized skills, such as rigging, can command higher fees.

Marketing on a Tight Budget

We empathize with BB Podcast listener Hannah, a shop owner in the southeast, who is struggling to break even and asked for advice on growing sales while on a tight budget. Natalie offers some free marketing tips, including asking customers for reviews and building an email list. She also mentions the effectiveness of paid advertising through Google and Facebook ads.

Networking and Running a Business with a Baby

We talk about the importance of networking in the industry and the value of making connections with other professionals. Natalie also discusses the challenges and joys of running a business with a baby. She shares her personal experience of being scared to take a maternity leave and feeling in denial about the need to rest and unplug.

A La Carte Offerings in the Wedding and Event Industry

The benefits of offering an a la carte menu for florists who work from home or have a retail shop is a popular topic. Natalie explains that initially, she and her business partner Meg had hoped clients would simply place their orders online without the need for extensive communication, but they found that clients preferred to talk to someone and ensure their specific needs were met. Natalie shares how Native Poppy’s a la carte menu has evolved and become a significant revenue generator for her business.

Native Poppy Co-owner Meg + Team | Victoria Perez Photography

The Importance of Investing in Your Team

Natalie shares a story about how investing in a dedicated team member led to the success of their gifting program. She says she soon realized that by giving someone the right tools and support, they could help grow different aspects of the business. Following this newfound insight, Natalie and Meg hired a full-time employee to run their a la carte weddings which led to significant growth.

The Purpose of the Podcast

Our goal for the BB Podcast is to provide support, resources, and encouragement to people in the floral industry. We want to shed light on the realities of the industry and showcase the beauty and artistry of floral design. And, in Season 8, we’ll concentrate on sharing these stories with the general public, as well, in an effort to generate excitement around flowers which will further support our profession.

Wrapping Up Season Seven

As we wrap up this season, we want to thank our listeners and encourage you to share the podcast with your friends in the industry. If you have time to leave us a review, we’d be so grateful!  Reviews are crucial for spreading the word about the podcast.

We look forward to seeing you in Season 8, where we will continue to explore the fascinating world of floral design. Until then, keep flowering with purpose, y’all!

Mentioned in Ep. 114:

• Flodesk – Get 50% off your first year! 
• MailChimp
• Oshun Pouch 
• PodInbox (soon to be Fanlist)
• FibreFloral™ Design Media 
• Bloom Trust Co CIRCLE
• Faire
• Minted