Flowers, Venues, and More with Dawn Clark and Mary Coombs of A Garden Party
Release Date: 09/18/2023
Flower Farming for Profit: Lennie Larkin with B-Side Farm
The Flower Podcast
Lennie Larkin, the founder of B-Side Farm, took her passion for flowers from a background in adult education to establishing an educational farm. Lennie's experience extends from managing educational farming programs to contributing as the West Coast Director for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers and teaching at Santa Rosa Junior College. This week we’re going to learn about Lennie’s research that’s led to her new book called Flower Farming for Profit: The Complete Guide to Growing a Successful Cut Flower Business. In addition to her business curriculum for flower farmers,...
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Connecting with Customers with Cathy Hillen-Rulloda
The Flower Podcast
Today, I'm particularly excited because we're joined by someone I've had the pleasure of spending some time with during a trip to California – the incredibly talented Cathy Hillen-Rulloda. A true legend in the floral industry, Cathy’s dazzling career spans over 40 years. Not only is she a phenomenal designer whose work captivated audiences at the 1984 Olympics, but she's also a trailblazer in floral artistry, winning top honors in major competitions and inspiring audiences at over 300 industry events worldwide. Her stunning creations have not only graced top magazines but also earned her...
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Update on the Van Gogh Fantasy Mix with Steve Kaufer of Sunflower Steve Flower Co.
The Flower Podcast
I am thrilled to have a familiar face rejoin us – Steve from Sunflower Steve Seed Co. Many of you might remember Steve's inspiring story from his previous visit on The Flower Podcast. It all began in 2007 with a rogue, multi-colored, double-flowering sunflower in his cut flower field. Since their early days in 2000, Steve is at the forefront of creating unique and captivating sunflowers for cut flowers. The journey from those 12 seeds planted in 2008 has led to an astonishing range of beautiful sunflowers that continue to captivate and inspire. Today, we are catching up with Steve and...
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Celebrating 35 Years of the ASCFG with Scott Shepherd
The Flower Podcast
After spending this week with the flower growing community of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, also know as ASCFG, I’ve come away more inspired and encouraged to see more growers and especially so many first time attendees to this very full conference. I’m Scott Shepherd and this is The Flower Podcast, where I love to chat with florists, floral designers, and flower farmers all over the world. Today I’d like to stress the importance of connection, connection between grower and designer or floral entrepreneurs. The ASCFG conference was very special this year as they...
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Growing Ilex for Florists: Lane DeVries with Sun Valley Floral Farms
The Flower Podcast
Imagine growing up among tulips and lilies in the Netherlands, and then taking that green thumb all the way to building the first Dutch Glass greenhouse in California. From managing the growth of flowers to CEO and President of Sun Valley Floral Farms, Lane DeVries has forged a path as a grower and is a reflection of his devotion to his craft. Over the years, Lane has served the floral community in a variety of positions such as Board of Directors at SAF, trustee for the American Floral Endowment, Chairman of the Board for the California Cut Flower Commission and serves on the Board of...
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Growing Heirloom Mums with Steve and Mandy O'Shea of 3 Porch Farm
The Flower Podcast
For those who might have missed their previous visit to our podcast, let me quickly reintroduce this great duo. They're not just flower farmers; they're visionaries in flower farming, dedicated to being the most sustainable flower shipping option in the U.S. Their mission of "Principles before Profit" has guided their journey from the beginning. Steve and Mandy O ’Shea’ s story of 3 Porch Farm is one of shared passions – for sustainable living, renewable energy, and of course, beautiful, farm-fresh flowers. Today, we're catching up with them to chat about their newest offerings...
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Life in Bloom with J Schwanke
The Flower Podcast
A fourth-generation florist, J Schwanke is a flower expert, content producer, and professional speaker, and has not only made an mark within the flower community but has become a trusted voice and a source of inspiration for flower enthusiasts worldwide with a career that encompasses various facets of the floral industry. He is the host, creator, and producer of Life in Bloom, CEO of UBLOOM, and his company J Schwanke productions produces videos and books and he is here this week We're thrilled to have him as a guest on The Flower Podcast. Learn more about J and all of UBloom content, plus all...
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Learning All About Waxflower with Adrian Parsons of Helix Australia
The Flower Podcast
My guest this week is a Horticultural Sales & Marketing strategist with a remarkable 30-year career journey, he has navigated through the world of retail, wholesale, import, and export, licensing, sales, and marketing and more. He has established three horticultural businesses, oversees operations in Australia and California, serves 300+ clients globally, and distributes flowers from over 200 local and oversees growers. I am chatting with Adrian Parsons from Helix Australia, an Australian owned and operated business specializing in the breeding, marketing and licensing of Waxflower and...
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Creating Forever Floral Designs with Bex Partridge of Botanical Tales
The Flower Podcast
I am excited to introduce Bex Partridge of Botanical Tales in the UK. Specializing in creating sustainable, everlasting designs with dried flowers, Bex skillfully takes them through their lifecycle, from seed to breath-taking displays. We’re diving deep into the mesmerizing world of dried flowers, exploring the magic and technique of designing with these timeless beauties. We will also be chatting about Bex’s new partnership with and her course that launched earlier this year called, “How To Create Forever Flowers”. Stay tuned for an episode filled with inspiration, creativity, and...
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Becoming a Floral Entrepreneur With John Mark Sharpe
The Flower Podcast
Today’s guest is John Mark Sharpe and his business John Mark Enterprises is located in Germantown, Tennessee outside of Memphis. In 2009, with Gran's encouragement, John Mark took the leap and started John Mark Enterprises. He began by selling mesh wreaths, reaching out to retail booths, holiday shows, and anyone in his family and friend circle. John Mark has come a long way since those wreath-selling days and has nurtured his business for 14 years, and he believes they're just getting started on an exciting journey. It was great to chat about how he grew his business, he mentions the...
info_outlineThis week, step into the multifaceted world of the Colson sisters, Dawn Clark and Mary Coombs of A Garden Party and A Milkhouse Party. From growing & designing to managing their own venues and running a retail shop - these two women do it all!
Our chat is bursting with floral business insights especially about starting your own venue for weddings & events. Trust me, it's an episode packed with inspiration, heart, and the unique touch that only these two can bring. Nestled in a lovingly renovated barn, A Garden Party transcends beyond a mere location; it's an immersive floral experience.
Over the past 14 years, their passion for locally-grown flowers and the signature "from the garden" look has captured countless hearts.
Learn more about Dawn and Mary, plus all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com
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