Starting a Flower Revolution with Katie Lila of 'Follow the Blooms'
Release Date: 07/25/2025
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Tired of working six days a week, chasing one-off weddings, and feeling trapped in the seasonal ups and downs of the event floral world? This episode is your roadmap to freedom. Host Yvonne Ashton sits down with Franceska McCaughan, international floral strategist and founder of The Hotel Florist®, who has revolutionized how florists think about sustainable income. From her beginnings in foster care to building a floral empire serving luxury hotels across three continents, Franceska's story proves that complete business reinvention is possible—no matter where you start. In...
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Top 6 Flowers to Know Now
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Starting a Flower Revolution with Katie Lila of 'Follow the Blooms'
Mornings with Mayesh
What if flowers could be more than beautiful arrangements? What if they could be community art, television content, and catalysts for human connection in the most unexpected places? In this episode of Mornings with Mayesh, we sit down with Katie Lila, the visionary Flower Director behind Flowers For People and creator-host of the PBS series "FOLLOW THE BLOOMS." Broadcasting from Spokane, Katie shares her incredible journey from local floral designer to national television personality, and her bold mission to start what she calls a "flower revolution." Katie takes us behind the scenes of Season...
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Join us for an exclusive look at the 2025 AIFD Symposium "Reflection" happening July 12-15 in Palm Springs! We sit down with symposium chair Lori Novak, a 45-year floral industry veteran, and Susan McLeary, who will be presenting at the 2026 symposium. Together, they share insider details about AIFD's 60th anniversary celebration, standout programming, what first-time attendees can expect, and advice for aspiring symposium presenters. Whether you're planning to attend or curious about what makes these events so transformative for floral designers worldwide, this conversation has something for...
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Join host Yvonne for an inspiring conversation with Charity Reel, Vice President of Sales at Mayesh Wholesale Floral Distributors. In this episode, Charity shares her journey from selling freight services to leading national sales operations across Mayesh's 20+ locations in 13 states. With nearly three decades at Mayesh, Charity offers insights into effective sales leadership in the floral industry, discussing specific techniques that have driven success and the pivotal moments that shaped her approach. She explores how her natural curiosity and love for people have influenced her leadership...
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Susan McLeary on Innovative Floral Design Techniques
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Valentine's Day Color Theory w/ Amy Balsters
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info_outlineWhat if flowers could be more than beautiful arrangements? What if they could be community art, television content, and catalysts for human connection in the most unexpected places?
In this episode of Mornings with Mayesh, we sit down with Katie Lila, the visionary Flower Director behind Flowers For People and creator-host of the PBS series "FOLLOW THE BLOOMS." Broadcasting from Spokane, Katie shares her incredible journey from local floral designer to national television personality, and her bold mission to start what she calls a "flower revolution."
Katie takes us behind the scenes of Season 1's most ambitious projects - from underwater mermaid gardens to professional treehouse reveals. But the real excitement comes when she discusses her open call for Season 2 submissions, actively seeking designers, growers, community planners, and artists who share her vision.
In this energizing conversation, we explore Katie's dreams of floral flash mobs in subway stations, floral confetti at sporting events, and partnerships with sponsors who can see the massive potential for flowers as public art. Whether you're a seasoned floral professional or someone with a wild flower idea, Katie's infectious enthusiasm and call-to-action will inspire you to think bigger about blooms.
Topics Covered:
- The making of PBS series "Follow the Blooms" Season 1
- Behind-the-scenes stories from underwater gardens to treehouse reveals
- Season 2 submission process and collaboration opportunities
- Reaching new audiences beyond traditional floral markets
- The business of flowers as public art and community experiences
- How to get involved in the "flower revolution"
Perfect for: Floral designers, event planners, PBS fans, community artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about innovative approaches to floral design.
Video replay & show notes:
https://www.mayesh.com/blog/mwm-katie-lila-of-follow-the-blooms