Episode 270: In this episode, Vonda and Lori continue their conversation with Sarah Botchick, General Marketing and Purchasing Manager at Pioneer Imports & Wholesale. They dive into the world of floral trend forecasting—how trends are identified, what’s driving consumer preferences, and the evolving role of permanent botanicals in weddings, events, and everyday design. Sarah shares expert insights on mixing faux and fresh florals, common mistakes florists make when purchasing silk flowers, and why every florist should consider adding permanent botanicals to their repertoire. Plus, they discuss must-have varieties, new product innovations, and how florists can use floral installations to tap into new business opportunities. Don’t miss this inspiring and insightful discussion on the future of florals!

Pioneer Imports and Wholesale

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Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 269: Grab a cup of coffee and join hosts Vonda and Lori as they sit down with Sarah Botchick, Marketing & Purchasing Manager at Pioneer Imports & Wholesale. Sarah takes us back to the ‘90s when she built the company’s very first website as a high school student—yes, dial-up internet and all! You’ll hear how that humble start evolved into a dynamic online presence that keeps Pioneer Imports competitive today. This laid-back conversation covers the must-dos for maintaining a relevant, user-friendly site, why investing in your online home base matters, and how to keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape. Tune in for real-world stories, practical tips, and a dose of fun along the way!

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Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 268: Flowers are known to speak the unspoken sentiments of love, care gratitude and sincerity, but sometimes the accompanying notes have a whole lot more to say – especially at Valentine's Day! In this episode, Lori and Vonda asked Flower Clique members to share the most unusual (and occasionally jaw-dropping) Valentine’s Day card messages they’ve ever received from a customer. Tune in to discover the sweet, the silly, and the truly unexpected ways people say “I love you”—and beyond.

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Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Description: Lori has fun interviewing Vonda and Ellie before Valentine's Day to learn a bit about their personal preferences in terms of design styles and favorite flowers to recounting their most memorable Valentine's Day stories.

Vonda and Ellie also share tips and guidance for new employees navigating their first Valentine's Day in a flower shop, which is also a really good reminder for seasoned staff. Discover where they find their inspiration and how they continue to nurture their creativity in this blooming industry.

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Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 266: In today's episode Lori candidly shares a heartfelt update on her father, Lenny, with Vonda and listeners. Lori takes us through the emotional journey she faced while simply trying to accomplish a task over the phone, reflecting on the conflicting roles of being both a customer and an expert in customer experience and sales. Through her personal experience, Lori emphasizes the importance of effective communication in shaping the customer's journey. Drawing from her expertise in customer service, she underscores the need for better training and a deeper understanding of customer interactions for employees. Tune in to gain valuable insights into customer service and discover the lessons learned from Lenny's experiences.

Learn more about Flower Clique

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Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 265: Lori and Vonda guide you through personalize and essential steps to a successful Valentine's Day in your flower shop. They emphasize the importance of having a properly educated and trained team to ensure everything runs smoothly. From preparing flowers to optimizing your website layout and effectively communicating shop policies, they provide valuable insights to help you make the most out of this romantic holiday.

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Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Episode 264: In this episode, Lori kicks things off with an inspiring lesson from Lenny, setting the tone for a creative and productive conversation. Then, she and Vonda dive into a unique and exciting way to tackle goal-setting for 2025. Instead of the traditional vision board, they’re introducing a fresh, fun approach: a Bingo card for your goals!

Why Bingo? It’s simple, engaging, and far less daunting than creating a vision board. Each square is a goal, and as you achieve them, you’re on your way to calling out “BINGO!” It’s a practical and playful way to track your progress throughout the year—and we’re challenging YOU to create your own. Game on!

🎉 Calling All Young Professionals:

Get ready for Next Gen Live!—the ultimate annual 3-day event designed for young floral professionals. Join us in Dallas from February 23rd to 25th for education, networking, and inspiration. Earlybird registration ends January 20th, so save your spot now and take advantage of the discount.

Get all the details here: https://safnow.org/next-gen-live/


It’s an episode full of creativity, actionable tips, and exciting opportunities. Tune in now and start 2025 with a bang 🎧

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

Episode 263: In this special episode, Ellie and Kami join hosts, and team members, Vonda and Lori as they look back on the past year and share personal highlights including wins, challenges overcome, surprises, and insights gained. Listen in as the team reveals unexpected answers and discusses the significance of choosing a word to guide them both personally and professionally throughout the coming year. Do you have a word that supports and inspires you on your journey?

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