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Botanical Brouhaha Podcast — Arts
Botanical Brouhaha Podcast

Do you own a flower business or dream of starting one? Are you looking for practical floral design tips? Ever wonder how other florists run their businesses? Or maybe you’re a farmer florist building a flower farm and floral design business at the same time? You’ve landed in the right place!

At the BB Podcast, we serve floral designers, farmer florists, flower shop owners, and aspiring florists by diving into practical tips and insider information from real working florists, floral educators, flower growers, and floral industry vendors to help you find the tools you need to start, run, and grow your flower business.

We like to mix it up! Do you prefer hearing real-life stories or diving into specific flower business topics? Either way, we’ve got you covered.

Listen to our storytelling episodes featuring floral professionals sharing the details of starting and running their flower businesses. So many stories just waiting for you to dig in and learn from those who are doing what you want to do!

Browse our topic-specific interviews where you can expect everything from conversations on marketing, staffing, and floral software to pain points like finding your mojo or listening to your intuition in business.

Amy McGee, Botanical Brouhaha founder, brings years of relationship building with floral designers, farmer florists, and floral professionals to the table and invites you to pull up a chair for the conversations where you’ll learn and be inspired by the nitty gritty transparency of the questions she asks.

The BB Podcast is co-hosted by Natalie Gill, owner of Native Poppy.

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 67: Steven Dyme (Flowers for Dreams) Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

Today we're visiting with Steven Dyme, co-founder of Flowers for Dreams (with locations in Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee) to discuss:

the Flower for Dreams commitment to community and charity with every sale
integrating philanthropy into a business model
how his business has been able to survive during the pandemic
the responsibilities and challenges that come with employing 50+ team members
advice on how other business owners can make giving a part of their business model
his unconventional entry into the floral industry
teaming up with non-profits to impact communities through flower sales
the commencement flower niche and the opportunities it offers
finding a niche and scaling a business
the secret behind the success of his long-time business partnership

LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 67:

SEE MORE ABOUT HERE:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Flower Truck

Today's episode is brought to you by:

Botanical Brouhaha

On-line Shop

Click here to get your No Rain No Flowers tshirt!

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

BB+ (Ep. 15) Jessie Chui on Paper Flower Art Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

TODAY'S GUEST: Jessie Chui | Crafted to Bloom

TOPIC: Paper Flower Art

Jessie Chui, owner of Crafted to Bloom and author of a beautiful new book called Paper Flower Art, joins us on the Botanical Brouhaha podcast to share her passion for paper flower art from the creation of single stems to designing artistic arrangements, or compositions as she prefers to call them. Not only does she share details about creating paper flowers, but she also shares a vision for collaboration between fresh flower florists and paper art florists to meet the unique needs of clients.

Where to Find a Paper Florist to Work With

Where do you find a paper florist? Most of us have websites and social media presence and simply searching for "#paperflowerartist" or "#paperflorist" will give you some leads. However, the easiest way is to head over to The Paper Florists Collective and search our Member Directory, which has paper florists from all over the world.

Another way is to follow our podcast, Paper Talk. We spotlight different paper flower artists, like Margie Keates and Ann Wood, and we also speak to florists, photographers and other industry experts about their art and experiences. We recently had Holly Heider Chapple on our podcast, and in the past, we had Alicia Schwede of Flirty Fleurs and Bella Fiori, Caroline Tran of Caroline Tran Photography, and Kelly Lemon of Kelly Lemon Photography.

In the end, we all want to serve our clients the best that we can. Giving our clients an option of using paper flowers alongside with fresh florals simply makes it easier for you to keep your clients happy and turn their dreams into reality.

Follow Jessie's Work:

Website | Instagram | Book | The Paper Florists Collective | Paper Talk Podcast

To Find a Paper Florist Near You: Click Here

Paper Flower Art by Jessie Chui, GMC Publications, RRP $34.95, available online and in all good bookshops.

Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

Ep. 66: Lily Roden Aug 17, 2020

Show notes

Today we're visiting with Lily Roden, owner of Lily Roden Floral Design in Southern California to discuss:

why she turned to flowers in a time of struggle
the reason she didn't initially embrace her creative side
the story of her family's move to the US from El Salvador
the impact working with flowers had on her mental health
learning through freelancing
her advice to other designers looking for freelance opportunities
the process of re-branding her business
flowering during the pandemic
the motivation behind the philanthropy she embraces as a business owner
her desire to connect with other Latina creatives and see their work showcased in their respective industries
the challenges she experienced as a creative immigrant

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

SEE MORE FROM Lily Roden Floral Design HERE:

Website | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook

Today's episode is brought to you by:

Botanical Brouhaha

On-line Shop

Click here to get your No Rain No Flowers tshirt and/or market bag!

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

BB+ (Ep. 14) Bex Partridge on Everlasting Flowers Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

TODAY'S GUEST: Bex Partridge | Botanical Tales

TOPIC: Growing, Harvesting, and Creating with Everlasting Flowers

Today I'm visiting with Bex Partridge, owner of Botanical Tales in Farnham, UK. Bex is a floral artist and published author specializing in everlasting flowers. I'm thrilled that she agreed to walk us through her process of growing, cutting, and drying flowers. And she's sharing tips on designing with everlasting flowers. Be sure to check out the end of the show notes to learn how you can enter to win a copy of her new book Everlastings: How to Grow, Harvest and Create with Dried Flowers. I'm hoping our conversation will open new avenues of creativity and maybe even a new income stream for some of you!

Methods for Drying Flowers:

Air Drying
Pressing
Silica Gel

Sampling of Flowers Recommended by Bex for Drying:

Helichrysum
Statice
Peony
Tulip
Rudbeckia
Echinacea
Cosmos
Dahlia (some varieties)

Caring for Everlasting Flowers:

Keep out of intense heat and direct sunlight
Store by laying the blooms out in a box using tissue paper and include a silica gel packet to draw out moisture during storage
Store in a dry temperate place
Avoid storing for extended lengths of time before designing with the blooms
Avg. Drying Time: 2-3 weeks (peonies take longer)
Read more here

Advantages of Using Everlasting Flowers:

Extends the season for designers (by allowing them to design with everlasting flowers during winter months)
Sustainable sourcing
Longevity in designs
Can be combined with fresh flowers
Offers a way to create long lasting displays in retail spaces to showcase products and brands
Flower farmers can dry and then sell blooms they weren't able to sell fresh

Bex's Suggestions for Adding Movement to a Design:

Love Lies Bleeding
Canary Grass
Fountain Grass
Quaking Grass
Alchemilla mollis
Gypsophila

Enter to win a copy of Everlastings: How to Grow, Harvest and Create with Dried Flowers:

Leave a comment on the blogpost for this episode.
That's it! Easy Peasy!
Deadline for entry: 11:59 pm Central Time on Sunday, August 16, 2020.
Winners will be chosen by random drawing and notified on August 17, 2020 via email.
Contest open to residents of the US and Europe.

See more work by Bex here:

Website | Instagram | IGTV | Pinterest | Twitter

Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

Mentioned in this episode: Natalie Gill | Native Poppy (Hear Natalie Gill on the BB Podcast. Click here.)

Ep. 65: Scott Shepherd (Host of the Flower Podcast) Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

Today we're visiting with Scott Shepherd (aka 'Cutflower Scott'), host of The Flower Podcast to discuss:

the root of his love of flowers
his experience working in a flower wholesale house for over 25 years
what prompted him to start a podcast
his transition from the wholesale business to full-time podcast host
the mission behind The Flower Podcast
how the pandemic has impacted his business and family
the designers who have inspired him along the way
the challenges he's faced as a podcast host
the growing facets of The Flower Podcast
his passion for encouraging and supporting flower growers
his favorite flower and his unapologetic love for it

LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 65:

Green Petal Farms (see Scott's hellebore crop above!)
Ariella Chezar
Holly Chapple
Hitomi Gilliam AIFD
Joy Proctor
Ian Prosser
Pat Dahlson | Mayesh Wholesale
Joseph Massie
Gabriela Salazar | La Musa de las Flores
Flowerstock
Flower Magazine
Zoom
Flirty Fleurs
Alaska Peony Cooperative
Jennie Love | Love 'n Fresh Flowers

Learn more about THE FLOWER PODCAST here:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | iTunes

Today's episode is brought to you by:

Botanical Brouhaha

On-line Store

Click here to get your No Rain No Flowers tshirt and/or market bag!

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

BB+ (Ep. 13) Christine Hoover, LPC: Finding Balance on Social Media Jul 29, 2020

Show notes

TODAY'S GUEST: Christine Hoover MA, LPC, NCC

With Special Guest: Jaelynn Solomon, Co-Owner of Urban Rubbish Weddings

TOPIC: FINDING BALANCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

This interview was fun and informal because I invited Christine and Jaelynn to drop by my house and share their thoughts on a topic that seems to pop up frequently in the flower industry — figuring out how to use social media to grow a business while successfully bypassing the comparison game which often ensues. With Christine's expertise in counseling and Jaelynn's practical experiences as a floral design business owner, I hoped we could share honestly about the struggles and the gifts of social media. And ultimately, I believed we could learn a few things from one another because these are women I trust and respect to talk with honesty about the sticky stuff. I hope you'll grab a cup of tea and plop down on the couch with us for this conversation. You might want to grab a pen and paper because Christine shares some advice I believe is worth noting!

Takeaways From Our Conversation:

Learn to appreciate the ways social media can help us connect with others
Find healthy boundaries and understand that we're not wired to be close to thousands of people (ex. social media followers)
Know your emotional limits to avoid compromising real-life relationships
Know your personal threshold to avoid overwhelm which will ultimately compromise your creative work
Find internal meaning to balance trying to meet external expectations
Find value in the strengths of colleagues and learn from them
Examine thoughts of resentment about unfairness and find strategies for moving past them
Move in close to understand the 'story behind the story' and alleviate jealously or resentment
Strive for human connections through business

"People are hard to hate close up. Move in. Speak truth to bullshit. Be civil. Hold hands. With strangers. Strong back. Soft front. Wild heart."― Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

Today's episode is brought to you by:

BOTANICAL BROUHAHA

Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like BB+ Episode 7: Alison Ellis on Social Media Mindset.

Ep. 64: Laura Langford & Dawson Hamilton (Roam Flora) Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

Today we're visiting with Laura Langford and Dawson Hamilton, owners of Roam Flora located in Ottawa, Canada to discuss:

the birth and progress of their solar-powered flower farm
where they've found the resources they need to build a growing business
how their work and educational backgrounds have impacted their flower farm business model
the layout and terrain of Roam Flora Farm
their tendency to be "chronic entrepreneurs"
the challenges of farming their particular piece of land
the flower varieties they grow
their crew
"dealing with the alligator closest to the boat"
how they altered their previous plans when the pandemic hit their area
The Flower Hut (see below)
the options they offer their customers
the day their delivery van was stolen with all the wedding flowers in it!
how Laura moved from "The Occasional Florist" to a full-time flower farmer
Laura's warning about naming a business
dollhouse flowers, micro arrangements, and tiny amaranth popcorn
the day the cows spent time in the dahlia field
their dreams for the future of Roam Flora

LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 62:

SEE MORE OF ROAM FLORA HERE:

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

BB+ 12: KimBang Nguyen on Preserving The Vietnamese Wedding Tradition Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

KimBang loves flowers and she's found a purpose which is currently driving her to impact the wedding industry on a much deeper level than she once envisioned. While consulting with potential wedding clients at her Virginia studio, she began to notice a hesitancy in young Vietnamese Americans to embrace the traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony. By listening to her clients, KimBang began to understand the challenges the couples face — securing the resources needed for a traditional Vietnamese wedding, as well as the knowledge of ceremony customs which may not have been passed down in detail through generations. KimBang's belief that wedding photographs are extremely important in preserving and handing down cultural wedding traditions is leading her to a niche business model assisting couples in learning and incorporating their culture into wedding ceremonies which will be preserved for future generations through photography. In addition to our conversation on the podcast, KimBang also produced a photo shoot and blog post walking us through the elements of a traditional Vietnamese wedding. We're hopeful the expertise provided by KimBang will provide the support floral designers need to service Vietnamese weddings in their own communities when given the opportunity - thereby helping to preserve an important cultural ceremony.

Mentioned on Episode 12:

The importance of preserving important cultural traditions
The need for more editorial features in the wedding industry highlighting diverse wedding traditions
Inspiring young people to embrace their cultural history by creating content to reflect their heritage
The elements of a traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony
Providing the resources needed for a traditional Vietnamese wedding to couples as rentals
Embracing a range of cultures as a retail flower shop to show acceptance and increase customer base
Pushing past fear to open important conversations

See More of KimBang's work:

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Today's episode is brought to you by:

Botanical Brouhaha

Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

Ep. 63: Rebecca Grace (Natural Art Flowers) Jul 05, 2020

Show notes

Today we're visiting with Rebecca Grace, owner of Natural Art Flowers in Perth, Australia to discuss:

The challenges of working in an isolated location
Growing a flower business over time
Utilizing her studio space with efficiency
Handling business during a pandemic
Team function on wedding days
Insights on hotel and corporate accounts
Managing client wishes
Social Media as a business tool
Relaxing, exercising, and vacations
Details of one of her favorite installations
Creating the best work under pressure

SEE MORE OF REBECCA'S WORK HERE:

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Today's episode is brought to you by:

BOTANICAL BROUHAHA

Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for additional inspiration and news.

Co-Hosts: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) + Maggie Bailey (Bramble & Bee)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

BB+ (Ep. 11) Joseph Massie Opens Online Studio Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

TODAY'S GUEST:

Joseph Massie | Joseph Massie Flowers + Joseph Massie at the UK School of Floristry

TOPIC: OPENING AN ONLINE STUDIO

Today is the day we've anxiously awaited! Joseph Massie, a 5-time Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medalist who is often referred to by the media as 'the floral artist of his generation', is opening the virtual doors to his online studio which means designers the world over can now study under him in the convenience of their own studios and homes. Known for his expertise in teaching the 'why' in addition to the 'how' behind his designs, Joseph unlocks avenues of creativity which have often eluded designers. Floral artist Susan McLeary says Joseph once asked her during a workshop the one question that changed her career: why she'd placed the flowers the way she had. Sharing techniques like the Golden Ratio and 3-5-8, Joseph equips students to understand the principles of floral design in a way that elevates their future work. In today's episode we're chatting with Joseph about his new online studio from curriculum to cost as he welcomes us to his Online Classroom packed with his personal instruction, tried and tested techniques, solid theory — and his endearing sense of humor!

The Courses:

The Floral Clutch - secrets to creating a chic floral accessory clutch which Joseph often sells as a bridesmaid's bouquet alternative
The Wired Flower Crown - Joseph often offers this crown to flower girls or as an alternative for bridesmaids
The Cascading Garland - an iconic technique that can be adapted for a multitude of occasions and seasons
The Classic Centerpiece - a fundamental in any designer's toolkit made entirely foam free and suitable to a plethora of containers
The Classic Bridal Bouquet - Joseph shares the most helpful technique he's discovered for creating an abundance of bridal bouquet styles
The Textured Vase - Joseph shares his technique for creating elevated statement centerpieces without using floral foam
The Complete Collection (contains all 6 courses)

Each of the six individual courses is carefully curated by Joseph and features:
- A detailed Instructional Video, packed full of Joseph's own hints and tips for every project
- A bespoke Floral Recipe of sundries and botanicals to create every piece
- A Step-by-Step Printable Resource for future use
- A thorough Substitutions Guide for every single project
- A thorough Floral Glossary Guide packed with tool, sundry and floral terminology
- The commercial relevance to each piece - meaning how Joseph sells every design to his clients!
As a bonus, you will also be invited to join Joseph's private alumni Facebook group to be a part of his online floral community
20% Discount on single courses + 30% Discount on the Complete Collection until July 7, 2020

The e-Book Collection:

The Golden Ration & 3-5-8 in Floral Design E-book - enrich your understanding of proportions and placements in floral design
The Principles & Elements in Floral Design E-book - packed with practical tips and techniques for applying principles and elements to enhance your floral practice
The E-book Collection (contains both e-books)

Answers to Questions You Might Have:

How much do the courses cost? Click Here to see the menu of courses with prices.
Do I have to complete my course in a specific time limit? No, you can work through your course at your own pace at any time that's convenient for you.
How long do I have to access my course after purchase? You have lifetime access to your course. Once you've made your purchase, you'll be able to access your course in your own personal online library immediately and forever.
I've noticed the course prices are in US dollars, but I live elsewhere, am I on the right site? Yes, you are in the right place. Joseph is unfortunately only able to sell in one currency and that happens to be USD because it's the biggest market. An online conversion site can be helpful for figuring out the cost in your currency.

MENTIONED IN BB+ EPISODE 11:

Susan McLeary | Floral Artist
Tobey Nelson | Tobey Nelson Events + Design

Podcast Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha)

BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Joel McGee

Music Written & Performed by: Landon McGee

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