Show Notes:

• How Frankie made the leap from risk management to owning a flower shop
• The advantages of working in a destination location like Vail and Beaver Creek
• Why Frankie prefers corporate floral design over weddings and how she secures high-profile corporate clients
• A deep dive into a major corporate event requiring 120 floral arrangements over three nights
• How Frankie structures her part-time and seasonal staff for maximum flexibility
• How bartending and local networking led to major event contracts
• Frankie’s experience with social media marketing companies and lessons learned
• Hosting annual wreath-making events to nurture business relationships
• Frankie’s vision of transitioning Fancy Pansy into a fully event-based floral business

This episode features an interview with:

Frankie Sheridan

Owner at Fancy Pansy Floral Shop

Frankie grew up in Denver and moved to the Colorado mountains near Vail in 2003, originally planning to stay only a few years before returning to Denver. However, the area’s culture and natural beauty quickly won her over.

With a background in the legal field, she faced a career shift after losing her job in 2012. During this time, she noticed a gap in the local market—there were very few flower shops despite the area’s popularity for destination weddings, corporate conferences, golf courses, and holiday tourism.

Recognizing an opportunity, she filed for an LLC in 2012 and began creating floral arrangements for small events and local restaurants out of her garage. In 2017, she took the leap and opened a brick-and-mortar flower shop, which has been thriving and growing ever since.

Important Links and resources mentioned:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Tiktok

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Show Notes:

• How a summer job on a flower farm sparked a lifelong passion
• Why Sage left her office job for a hands-on creative career
• The challenges and rewards of opening Sage Flowers PDX
• How foot traffic, social media, and community connections fuel growth
• From large-scale wedding installs to juggling holiday madness
• What it really takes to run a successful floral business

This episode features an interview with:

SAGE MARCELLA

Owner/Florist at Sage Flowers

SAGE. flowers was founded by Sage and Jered, a husband-and-wife team with a passion for flowers and plants. Sage has spent the last 20nplus years honing her craft—growing up on Martha’s Vineyard, designing hand-tied bouquets on a flower farm, earning a degree in visual media, and moving across the country to study floral design at the Floral Design Institute in Portland. After managing some of the city’s top flower shops and freelancing across the country, Sage decided it was time to open her own shop with Jered, who brings his expertise in plants.

Located in Portland, Oregon, Sage Flowers is a neighborhood plant and flower shop that focuses on seasonal, artistic floral design and lush greenery. Whether it’s daily flower deliveries, event installations, floral workshops, or curated plant selections, Sage and Jered are dedicated to bringing beauty into every space.

SAGE. flowers continues to grow—offering unique, locally sourced flowers, creative floral experiences, and a welcoming space for the community.

Important Links and resources mentioned:

Sage Flowers’ website

Instagram

Email: sageflowerspdx@gmail.com

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Show Notes:

• Alla’s journey from founding a top floral design business in Ukraine to relocating to NYC
• The importance of finding your unique style and niche as a florist
• How cultural differences between European and American luxury clients shape the floral business
• Alla’s “10 Rules” for running a successful floral business, including learning continuously, embracing mistakes, and defining your true product
• Insights into working with high-end clients like Rolls-Royce, Chanel, and other luxury brands
• Tips on pricing, client negotiations, and understanding customer expectations

This episode features an interview with:

Alla Lysytska

Owner/Florist at Alla Lysytska floral design NYC

Alla Lysytska is a globally recognized floral designer with expertise in luxury floral art and contemporary design. Originally from Ukraine, Alla founded a thriving floral company that became a go-to for high-profile clients, including luxury brands, government entities, and major events.

Now based in New York City, Alla continues to create breathtaking floral designs for exclusive clients while redefining the standards of high-end floristry. Her work reflects a deep passion for artistry, innovation, and creating memorable experiences through flowers.

Notable Clients: Rolls-Royce, Chanel, private events, and prominent global brands.

Specialty: Luxury floral designs, small artistic events, and high-end contemporary floral art.

Important Links and resources mentioned:

Facebook

Instagram

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Show Notes:

• Tiffanni’s journey from working at a flower shop to co-founding Lucky Flowers with her business partner
• The evolution of Lucky Flowers over 18 years, including shifts in style and business operations
• The benefits and challenges of running a business with a partner, including how they divide responsibilities
• How Lucky Flowers manages hiring, marketing, and training, and why finding the right team is critical
• Tiffanni’s passion for workshops, from popular pumpkin classes to full moon floral events, and how these experiences deepen customer relationships
• The unique “Build a Lucky Box” offering, which lets customers create personalized gift boxes with flowers and curated giftware
• Community engagement through the Lucky Friday initiative, where flowers are gifted to someone in the community every Friday
• Exciting plans for Lucky Flowers, including a focus on earthy, metaphysical themes and more personalized services

This episode features an interview with:

TIFFANNI WRIGHT

Co-founder of Lucky Flowers

Tiffanni Wright is the co-founder of Lucky Flowers, a beloved flower shop in Kennewick, Washington, known for its creative floral designs, strong community ties, and innovative workshops.

Alongside her business partner, Tiffanni has built a flourishing business with a loyal customer base, rooted in their shared values and passion for floral artistry.

Important Links and resources mentioned:

Lucky Flower’s website

Facebook

Instagram

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Show Notes:

• Penny Hoffman’s unique journey from mental health counseling to owning a flower shop
• How she took a bold leap of faith during the height of COVID-19 in August 2020 by purchasing Forget Me Not Floral and Gift Shop in Davidsville, PA, despite having no prior experience in floristry
• The challenges of learning floral design and running a small business, with a special focus on balancing inventory, diversifying income streams, and managing personal commitments
• The role of mentorship in her success, particularly through on-the-job training with the shop’s former designer
• Penny’s strategy for diversifying her business from traditional funeral work to weddings, retail, and even partnerships with local businesses
• Her innovative “Blooms & Brew” collaboration with a local coffee shop, blending floral deliveries with coffee orders
• Penny’s journey in learning the business side of floristry, including her investment in education through courses like IWED and Holly Chapel’s programs
• How Penny is adapting to the ever-changing floral industry, balancing creativity with business savvy, and overcoming personal and professional hurdles

This episode features an interview with:

PENNY HOFFMAN

Owner of Forget Me Not Floral and Gift Shop

Penny Hoffman is the owner of Forget Me Not Floral and Gift Shop in Davidsville, Pennsylvania. With a background in mental health counseling, Penny made a life-changing decision to buy a flower shop, diving headfirst into the world of floristry with no previous experience.

Over the past four years, Penny has grown her shop through resilience, creativity, and a deep passion for flowers. She continues to learn and innovate, focusing on building connections with her local community while expanding her business offerings.

Important Links and resources mentioned:

Forget Me Not Floral and Gift Shop’s website

Facebook

Instagram

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Show Notes:

• Nic Faitos shares the journey of starting Starbright NYC with a different vision—focusing on corporate clients rather than relying on foot traffic
• Why Starbright NYC refers to their customers as “clients” and the importance of building long-term relationships
• How Nic flipped the traditional floral sales approach by taking outreach to potential clients instead of waiting for orders
• Nic discusses how Starbright ditched Google ads in favor of branding strategies that include community involvement and strategic sponsorships
• The philosophy behind permission-based client engagement and why it works so well for Starbright NYC
• The differences in how Starbright approaches its corporate relationships versus traditional retail customers
• Hear about Starbright’s creative branding initiatives, like a flower-adorned New York City taxi used for memorable event sponsorships
• How Nic turns employee turnover into an opportunity for growth by continuing relationships with individuals even as they move to new companies
• Why Nic positions Starbright at the top of the marketing pyramid by focusing on unique outreach where competitors are few
• Nic’s take on how excellent customer service on the front end leads to trust, loyalty, and brand recognition

This episode features an interview with:

NIC FAITOS

Senior Partner at Starbright Floral Design

Nic Faitos is the visionary behind Starbright NYC, a floral design company with a unique approach to reaching customers. With over 30 years in the floral industry, Nic has transformed Starbright from a small experiment into one of New York City’s most well-known and respected floral brands.

Known for his creative flair and marketing expertise, Nic brings a fresh perspective to what it means to run a floral business—focusing on corporate clients, community engagement, and genuine relationship-building instead of just transactional sales.

Important Links and resources mentioned:

Starbright Floral Design Website: Starbright NYC – Learn more about Starbright NYC, explore their floral collections, and see their latest projects.

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube

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Show Notes:

• Zoe discusses the off-season challenges in Florida and how Botanica uses this time to prepare for upcoming events
• The importance of maintaining relationships with planners and venues, and how Zoe keeps those connections strong
• Zoe’s personal journey from resisting the family business to embracing and transforming it into a wedding and event powerhouse
• The pivotal moment when Botanica shifted from retail to focusing exclusively on high-end weddings and events
• Celebrities and high-profile events: Botanica’s work with Tom Cruise, Howie Duro of Backstreet Boys, and George W. Bush’s second inauguration
• The decision to raise minimum expenditure for clients and how it impacted Botanica’s business strategy
• Networking tips for florists and the importance of staying visible in the industry
• Zoe’s approach to continuing education and how it shaped her role at Botanica
• Zoe plays the Floral Podcast Game Show and wins big

This episode features an interview with:

ZOE GALLINA

Co-Owner and Creative Director at Botanica Design Studio

Zoe Gallina is the Co-Owner and Creative Director at Botanica Design Studio in Tampa, Florida. With over 18 years of experience in the floral industry, Zoe has transformed her father’s retail flower shop into a premier wedding and event design studio.

Under her leadership, Botanica has catered to high-profile clients, including celebrities and presidential inaugurations, making it a staple in the luxury floral design scene.

Important Links and resources mentioned:

Botanica Design Studio’s Website

Botanica Design Studio’s Contact Page

Follow Botanica Design Studio on Social Media:

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

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Show Notes:

• Introduction to Jerry Williamson and his journey from hotel catering to floristry
• How Jerry’s passion for flowers led him to manage a floral department and eventually buy Bishop’s Flowers
• Transitioning from a partnership to becoming the sole owner of Bishop’s Flowers
• The challenges and strategies of running a small floral business in Alabama
• Jerry’s approach to advertising, focusing on community engagement through donations rather than traditional ads
• The impact of online sales on Bishop’s Flowers and the importance of a user-friendly website
• Insights into customer spending habits and how online sales differ from walk-ins
• Jerry’s thoughts on employee management, training, and the importance of having a skilled team
• The significance of weddings in the business and the shift towards smaller, more manageable events
• Jerry’s approach to social media and how it plays a role in connecting with customers
• Tips on effective networking and how it contributes to business growth
• The story behind the memorable boot arrangement and the emotional side of floral design

This episode features an interview with:

JERRY WILLIAMSON

Owner of Bishop’s Flowers

Jerry Williamson is the owner and creative force behind Bishop’s Flowers, a beloved floral shop in Huntsville, Alabama. With a background in hotel catering, Jerry’s love for flowers grew organically, leading him to take over and eventually own the business.

Over the past 30 years, Jerry has transformed Bishop’s Flowers into a thriving floral shop known for its unique designs and community involvement. His journey from catering to floristry highlights his passion for the art of flowers and his commitment to providing exceptional service to his customers.

Important Links and resources mentioned:

Bishop’s Flowers Website

Follow Bishop’s Flowers on Social Media:

Instagram

Facebook

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