Look. Grab. Go.

How do you attract new design talent to your shop? In this episode of Spill the Petals, we recommend you LOOK for an opportunity to connect with the younger generation, develop ways to GRAB their attention and how to nurture and GROW their floral career going forward.

February 6, 2023 | Episode 10

We get this insight from young designer, John Grayson Henderson, of Bloomin' Hill Farm and Flowers in Tillatoba, Mississippi, who attended the Floriology Elements & Principles of Floral Design class in Jacksonville, FL and plans to attend many more!

John shares what inspires him, how he helped start the floral business with his parents, his goals -- including AIFD certifications, and their plans on how to leverage his new found skills to grow the business.

What Do I Have To Learn?

The answer is lots!

January 26, 2023 | Episode 9
Especially if you can learn from floral industry veteran and Floriology Design Instructor Sandy Schroeck, AIFD, CFD, PFCI. She serves on the Oasis Floral Products design team, is a brand representative for Unlimited Containers, Inc., and an educator at Len Busch Roses. If that's not enough, she is founder of her own business Trend on Design and freelances with many high-end event décor companies across the country.

In this episode, Jackie Lacey, AAF, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, extracts as much knowledge as he can talking with Sandy about latest trends, freelancing best practices, and industry education opportunities.

Why Should I Care About Self Care?

Spill the Petals hosts answer this question in this episode from a floral industry perspective by providing ample evidence of how self care is and will continue to be an enormous trend among consumers.

January 16, 2023 | Episode 8
Jackie Lacey, AIFD, AAF, PFCI and Renato Cruz Sogueco, AAF, PFCI, also share several insights into the sub-trends supporting self-care -- including personalization, alternative health solutions, and tapping the influencer channel -- and existing industry resources that floral businesses can use to craft social messaging to consumers from well-respected organizations, Calflowers and the Society of American Florists (SAF).

Chance to Freelance

Freelance Designer Angelyn Tipton, AIFD, CFD, GMF joins the Spill the Petals Podcast and the Floriology team as its Community Manager.

December 21, 2022 | Episode 7
In this episode, Angelyn dives deep into her experience and insight as a long-time freelance designer to share tips and best practices with floral designers who may be thinking of freelancing or are current freelancers. She focuses on the importance of including as much detail into contracts with clients, how she keeps herself up to date on the latest trends, practices on how to build a steady job network and how she works with wholesalers and other sources to ensure all materials are confirmed for her gigs.

Date Your Customer

Successful retailing is more about successful engagement with your customers, especially when the marketplace is primarily electronic.

December 5, 2022 | Episode 6
We chat about this topic and more with Floriology Design Team and Smithers Oasis Design Director Sharon McGukin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI.
Joined by hosts Renato Cruz Sogueco, AAF, PFCI and Jackie Lacey, AAF, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, the group shares insights about the importance of understanding demographics, how you can segment social media marketing to target the right audiences, how floral retailers can engage customers in person using in-store events, and as a bonus, get their take on the 2022 holiday marketplace, especially after a better-than-expected Black Friday.

Cash or Coal? How will flower sales be this season?

This holiday, will your floral business get cash or coal? We explore the potential for both scenarios in this week's Spill the Petals podcast where we examine data from the National Retail Federation (NRF).

December 1, 2022 | Episode 5
The retail group predicts holiday sales will be up more than 8 percent over last year! This good news, however, is tempered with the expectation of rising inflation, which may dash florists' holiday hopes.

Wholesale & Retail Florists Working Together

Spill the Petals welcomes florist Russell Townsend of DKay Wholesale in Jacksonville, FL.

November 9, 2022 | Episode 4
Russell shares his history in the family business he joined after the 2008 economic crash and how they've grown the business with a focus on providing stellar customer service. Russell shares insights about supply status for both fresh and hard goods this upcoming winter holiday season, and recommendations on how to maximize your relationship with a wholesaler as a retail florist.

Syndicate Sales Talks Trends

This week we welcome our friends from Syndicate Sales – brand ambassador Derek Woodruff, AAF, AIFD, CF, CFD, PFCI and Creative Manager Jessica Kegerreis.

November 2, 2022 | Episode 3
Join us on our third podcast as they share their unique perspective as a major supplier to the floral industry. We cover a wide variety of topics in this episode – from wedding and sympathy trends to supply challenges within the industry and a new collaborative effort together as we work on a sustainability project funded by Floral Marketing Fund, managed by the American Floral Endowment.

Where Did All The Florists Go?

Retail florists continue to disappear, according to data from Sundale Research. In 2005, there were more than 21,000 retailers which then reduced to a population in 2021 of 11,593. Sundale further predicts a continued decline of 1 percent a year to a flat 11,000 by 2026.

October 24, 2022 | Episode 2
Spill the Petals podcast co-hosts Renato Sogueco, AAF, PFCI and Jackie Lacey, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, chat with florist Patti Fowler, AIFD, of Flowerama in Pittsburgh on the causes for this rapid and continued decline in numbers and what florists need to do to ensure they do not become part of this trending statistic.

Spill the Petals Debut!

Are floral industry trade shows back to (full, post-covid) business?
Get the scoop watching our first ever podcast, Spill the Petals with trade show regulars Jackie Lacey, AAF, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, Gina Leighann Thresher, AIFD, and Renato Cruz Sogueco, AAF, PFCI.

October 18, 2022 | Episode 1
Join Jackie, Gina and Renato as they chat about their experience attending AIFD American Institute of Floral Designers Symposium in Las Vegas, FSFA International / Florida State Florist Association Convention in Orlando, Society of American Florists (SAF) inaugural NextGen event in Miami, the SAF Annual Convention in Orlando, Arkansas Florists Association Convention in Little Rock and the North Dakota Florist Convention in Bismarck.

Have a topic you want discussed?

Let us know!

We're eager to hear about what interests you when it comes to the floral industry. So, if there's a new design trend or event you want to hear more about, hit the button below.