Beyond the Roses: Navigating the Post-Valentine's Business Boom

Episode 217: Now that the whirlwind of Valentine's preparations is over, it's time to transition into the non-holiday period and focus on the well-being of you and your team,  and business growth. Join us in this episode as discover six practical suggestions to recharge your energy, both personally and professionally, so you can keep moving forward in your business endeavors. From catching up on sleep to strategic planning for what lies ahead, we've got you covered. Tune in for valuable insights on how to get up, get going, and make the most of the post-Valentine's period!

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

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:05

It's very normal to come off your uh on that Valentine high, that adrenaline, and then you crash.

SPEAKER_01 0:17

Welcome to the Business and Pleasure of Flowers.

SPEAKER_02 0:20

We're your hosts, Vonda LaFever and Lori Wilson, and we believe that business and fun are a perfect combination. Kind of like us, Vonda.

SPEAKER_01 0:31

Lori, my big question for you is Did Mark remember Valentine's Day? He did. He did.

SPEAKER_02 0:39

We got a heart-shaped pizza. Oh, okay. Yes, yes, we didn't go anywhere, which was by choice. I didn't want to go anywhere. And he got me my pickleball set. So I'm very excited. I'm very excited because you know that was on my list for 2024 to learn to play pickleball. So wow. Well, that's the first step. Yes. So I actually have to do it. I have to learn to play pickleball. So I'm excited. So we're gonna do that. But I was gonna ask you also on Valentine's Day was also the start of Lent. It was. I was like, oh my gosh, I don't think I realized it was the same day until it was the actual day. Did you give anything up for Lent this year?

SPEAKER_01 1:34

I really haven't given things up for Lent for several years. I try to do more positive things on Lent during Lenton during you know, instead of going, oh well, I'm not gonna eat any chocolate. Well, right, halfway through I eat chocolate probably. Yeah, you know, one of those things. So it's just like I try to have something that I'm going to do this. And in this case, I'm gonna try to reach out one to family members a little bit more that sometimes you're a little neglectful with. Yes, yeah, and just doing more of an outreach. I think that's a great idea. I think it's a great idea.

SPEAKER_02 2:10

I typically don't give something up either because I don't think that's really what it's about. I mean, you can just say I'm gonna give up, like you said, chocolate or give up. But I am, I don't know if this is giving up something, but it is kind of silly. But I've noticed in the last year, I have started more frequently cursing more than normal. More than normal, like for no reason, and it's not a big deal, it's funny, but lately I'm like, why do I do this so much? Not horrible language, like you know me, but I've kind of felt a little convicted about it, and so I thought, you know what? This Lenten season, I'm going to be more mindful. I'm going to be very mindful of why do I do that? Why do I throw those words out there?

SPEAKER_01 3:12

So anyway, that's really good, Lori. I really like that because the Lenten journey is really about, you know, obviously having a better relationship with God, but it's also about ourselves and how we react to other people, I think much of it.

SPEAKER_02 3:29

Right. Typically, when I say the words is never in anger, it's usually funny or in things right. But I'm like, if other people that don't know me hear me, they don't know my story. That anyway, so I am like, I gotta watch that. And so yesterday I'm sitting in the living room talking to my husband and my son, and they're both talking, and both of them have language, and I was like, okay, I've given this up for letting their like, oh are you serious?

SPEAKER_01 4:06

Well, I think that's the challenge, yeah, you know, is that people are using my language all the time, and when you're around though, it's just you just give it back to them, right? Yeah, in the midst of the conversation.

SPEAKER_02 4:20

So yeah, it is, it's very easy, but also it's it's okay, it's just something for me. It was just a conviction I had for myself, and I was like, I need to be mindful for this. And I always think I would not say these words in front of my mama, ever like we weren't even allowed to say shut up in front of her, like that that would hurt not response feelings. That was not nice, so anyway, I'm gonna try my best, but you know, and I am too. I'm just you know, so I'll hold you accountable, you hold me accountable. So anyway, all right, Valentine's Day. We made it, we did it, the clickers did it. I've been reading on our Facebook group, our members only Facebook group, and seems like everybody so far they were successful. I mean, there's some funny stories on there, but it looks like everybody did pretty well.

SPEAKER_01 5:25

I think so too. Yeah, it looked like there were, you know, some people were flat, others up 10%. A couple people were down slightly, in it's kind of interesting. I was reading on our group and then also Facebook overall, which many of you who are listening are too. And it's interesting there were pockets that sold huge amounts of red roses, and others were like, Nope, we didn't sell the red roses, we sold colors, and it's so strange, you know.

SPEAKER_02 5:49

Yeah, you just don't know. That's that some of our shops sold some of our more trendy designs. They were like, Oh my gosh, they were the first things to sell out, and then other shops were like, Oh no, everybody only wanted traditional. I didn't sell any of the trendy stuff, right?

SPEAKER_01 6:07

So strange. You just never know. That's why it's so important you take notes. And I think many are taking notes of what you did this year. I mean, what was it that was hot this year? You know, obviously, simple things like how many deliveries you did and and what with the weather, and those notes are invaluable for next year. So I know we sent out a special document to our members who are just really love to be able to, you know, write down everything and document what they did. And I think that's huge, Lori. I think today we're just kind of going over what do we need to be doing going forward? Okay, it's done. We're breathing now. We've probably had a little bit of rest because we had a weekend. And, you know, what is it that we need to be preparing on to do the reset? Yeah. The first one you talk about all the time, and that's to make sure you have a team meeting or a staff meeting.

SPEAKER_02 7:07

Yeah, you need to have a team meeting. You just talk about dec decompress, take notes. You do that, but have your staff meeting and say, you know, what do you guys think? What went well, what were some challenges? What would you like to see different? You know, get all the feedback you can there and make sure everyone feels heard. I think uh give your shout-outs to make sure every single person on staff is recognized. I think that's really important. Uh that each person, all the way down to your delivery drivers, to your flower processors, or you know, whatever. Every single person is recognized for the hard work that they did so that they realize how important they are, right?

SPEAKER_01 8:02

Um, absolutely. Dan Fisher from Fitz Designs used to say, make sure you talk about what you did right, what you can do better, and what you should do next year. I always liked that because it was like, what we did right, let's start with that. What did we do right? Right. And then, okay, what could we do better? Yeah. Thoughts for next year. Exactly. Yeah, right. And then, like you said, shout out, of course, shout outs to everybody, you know, because it takes a team to get through this for sure. The second I would say is just kind of reevaluate the goals, you as the manager going forward in the next couple months, and just get ready for what's next. And we know you've got to flip the store. You've got to get those hearts all out of the store, bring in spring flowers, make it fresh and new and fun again. And I think that helps reset people's moods as well. I have down that obviously plants, you're gonna refresh green plants if you have those in the store. Permanent botanicals. I mean, we had Sarah Botchick from Pioneer Imports and Wholesale on a couple weeks ago talking about some of the beautiful new permanent flowers that were coming in, or silks or faux flowers, who was calling all different kinds of things.

SPEAKER_02 9:18

Yeah. Those kinds of things. Yeah. Well, and I think of right after Valentine's Day, you know, I'm assuming a lot of engagements happen. So now weddings are on the mind. So focusing on doing little wedding vignettes in your store and doing wedding on social media and wedding, wedding, wedding stuff.

SPEAKER_01 9:38

I'm sure I didn't think of that, Lori. You're right. Yeah, that's what they said. The number one day for engagements was was Valentine's Day, is what you're reading for. Yeah. And if you have gifts in the store, you might not need to get new gifts, but move them around. As we know, there's probably a hot spot in your store. So just be mindful of all that and just give it a fresh new look. And include, you said weddings, but what about prom? You know, little vignette on prom and get thinking about, oh gosh, we've got those here in the store.

SPEAKER_02 10:09

Well, prom and Easter, all of those things. I went to Target late afternoon of Valentine's Day because I had a subscription, and they already had an entire row, of course, of Easter. Like, oh my gosh, like this is great. Wow. Wow. But that's you think ahead. That's right. Yeah. Yeah, they're already moving stuff out. They're done.

SPEAKER_01 10:40

Well, and as far as the manager or owner, when I'm saying reevaluate your goals, think about the prom preparations, not just the display, but also are you going to start doing your wristless? What can you do to prep for that? Check out all your inventory. There's sales going on, Tori, refresh your inventory and get everything right. So this is the time to do those holidays that are in the next couple months. Obviously. Mother's Day is a ways away, but we'll talk about that one later.

SPEAKER_02 11:08

Yeah. Well, even back to the prom things and thinking through are you going to do a prom bar? You know, a crousage bar and how are you going to market it? And are you, are you going to contact the high school? All of those marketing ideas. Now's the time to kind of think through those. And if you don't really know how to do those, post on the social on social media and those flower accounts. So many shops are experienced in how to navigate through the marketing process of how to reach out to the high schools. And so ask those questions and get all of that in advance so you can know how to do it.

SPEAKER_01 11:44

Yeah, this is the time to do it for sure. If problems might be two months away in your area, but still, you know, the marketing and the reaching out to the school things. A lot of times it aligns right with Mother's Day. So you need to be really organized.

SPEAKER_00 11:57

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:59

Another one that you and I talk about a lot, and then is having a positive attitude. Yeah. Right. Coming right after a holiday. Everybody's tired. Everybody's like, and that it's hard to get them motivated. But remember that the positive attitude always makes a world of difference. And it starts at the top. Because if that positivity isn't there and you're kind of like that Debbie Downer, guess what? Everybody's going to be in the same place you are. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 12:28

They're following you. You are the role model there, and they're going to follow your mood.

SPEAKER_01 12:33

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_02 12:34

And it's hard. And sometimes as the owner or the leader of the pack, you have to fake it. So and if you have to take a minute and go in your office and then just pout and be sad and do whatever, then you can do that. But they're watching, they're watching you. It's they're watching it's hard. It's very normal to come off your uh on that Valentine's high, that adrenaline, and then you crash. You know, it's I think that's that's pretty normal. My gosh, we don't work in a flower shop and we all kind of do that. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 13:13

What now? Now what's coming next? I have so many friends who take time off this next week. I have, I think, two that I can think of off the top of my head. We're going on cruises next week. I mean, they're leaving on Saturday or Sunday for a week cruise because they're like, I've just got to just take a break and rest.

SPEAKER_02 13:32

You had a couple of Nimbers that actually were closed the day after Valentine's Day. Yeah. They decided they were, and I'm like, yeah, that's actually not a bad idea because you also don't get those customers calling the next day going, I don't like my flowers. That sounds a really good idea. Yeah, and they send out an email and say, Happy Valentine's Day, we're taking the following day off. We worked hard and we'll see you the next day.

SPEAKER_01 14:02

Did you have some in the email marketing program have you send those emails out for them? Yeah. Well, as long as you let your customers know, why not? Right?

SPEAKER_02 14:11

It's sure. Your staff deserves it, they're exhausted.

SPEAKER_01 14:16

Oh, absolutely. No, I think that's great. I do too. I think it's well-deserved day off. So which kind of goes with the other one, right? Promote healthy habits. So healthy habits would be self-rest or self-care. There you are. You're really helping your staff take care of themselves because you're giving them the time off for them to really let their bodies and their minds recuperate, which I think is super. And the other thing I had written with promote healthy habits, something that used to happen in my flower shop, and and I'm sure if I was in a flower shop, it would still happen, is when you're busy, busy, busy, busy, you're stress-eating, right? And so you you have popcorn, you have candy, you have, you know, you have chocolate, you have all this, and of course, you have some healthy food too. But now then you kind of have to back up and go, okay, we can't do that right now. We got to get back into not eating the junk food, back and eating healthy again.

SPEAKER_02 15:14

So that's my little that would be really hard, though. I think about like these busy weeks in a flower shop. And you know, we always talk about feed your staff, and and I've seen on here, I even in our members' Facebook, what's everybody feeding their staff? And like they're posting recipes and doing stuff, and I'm like, that's hard to keep that super healthy. Like it's hard. You need to, but it's but it's rabbin' go and really healthy. I don't know. It's it's because you're starving, and so I don't know. It's not always that you're starving, it's just that you want some more energy, so that's you're gonna grab that brownie or that cookie or those chips or you know, the carbs and the sugar. I mean, that's what I you and I would gravitate. The cheese and cheese and brownies.

SPEAKER_01 16:18

Yeah, always. So it's trying to get off of that because sometimes you do fall into that trap because you need that energy at that time, you know. Yeah, uh, but now it's like, okay, reset. I know, reset. Let's go back to it. That's hard. That's hard. It is hard. Mm-hmm. Really is. And then this one you covered a little bit when we talked about the staff meeting, and that's just really showing appreciation. That's the bottom line.

SPEAKER_02 16:50

It's just constantly being grateful, being grateful for your staff. And I think that goes without saying, you know, uh I'm learning that even more and more I'm doing this next gen presentation on empathy. The the studies the that I've been researching and reading about the employees that feel appreciated, they literally are the employees that stay. Those are the the long-term employees. The employees that leave, any employee that leaves that that actually gets an exit interview in any corporation, these are corporations, it is always they would not feel appreciated.

SPEAKER_00 17:41

Wow.

SPEAKER_02 17:41

They never felt if if only they felt it was very, very rarely was it money, was it a monetary issue? It was they did not feel valued, they did not feel appreciated. That makes sense though, really. Yeah. And then you interview bosses in this Forbes article, and it was talking about the boss's concern was if they are too empathetic, it will make them look soft, and they'll think they can run over them. So there's like such a disconnect right now that most uh psychologists or people studying on this say it's going to take years to actually get to a place where there's going to actually be enough balance because right now it's so off balance.

SPEAKER_01 18:36

Well, it's never been discussed, right? It's never been something that has been in the forefront for people to know.

SPEAKER_02 18:45

No, actually, the word empathy, and this is interesting, you and I didn't grow up with that word, right? We we grew up with, oh, you're sensitive. You're just being sensitive, or at least I did. That was my word. I grew up being told you're just sensitive. Oh, she's just very sensitive. She's just sensitive. She wears her heart on her sleeve, oh, she's a crier. Oh, I mean, this was what I was on repeat my whole life.

SPEAKER_01 19:12

Right, right.

SPEAKER_02 19:13

And then as I got older, like in college and started taking psychology classes. I know we're getting off track, we're really not. This is about appreciation. I started learning this word empathy and empath, and you start realizing, oh my gosh, that's me. There's a word for people like, you know, and I'm not alone and I am not a weird person, you know, it's not just sensitive and it's now you're in. You're in. Now I'm in. Now you gotta learn how to balance that, though, whether you're empathetic or whether you're not. Everybody can be empathetic, not everyone is. You can learn to be, right? You can learn to be, you can learn to be, but it takes skill, right? It takes self-awareness, it takes practice.

SPEAKER_01 20:13

Um, but we're gonna have a whole podcast on this after you get back. So I don't want to, yeah, I don't want to spoil her here. No, you're gonna be listening. Right, right.

SPEAKER_02 20:24

But it is rid the all of the statistics that I'm finding, and you know, I'm not a stats gal, but all of the statistics I'm finding are quite fascinating, and they really resonate with me because it makes sense why like certain jobs in my life were unsatisfying. Mm-hmm. Ways and like that, that makes sense to that, yeah. I get that now.

SPEAKER_01 20:55

And it makes so much sense because you talk about um the culture in the shop, yeah. It all goes to that, right? Yes, yes, because you know, if you have empathy in the shop from the leader and from one another, that makes a difference in the culture of where you're working. Yeah, exactly. It's hard. So I'm gonna shift because I really do want a whole podcast on your empathy presentation. But tell our clickers what's happening in the next couple of weeks because you and Ellie are going on the road and you gotta go.

SPEAKER_02 21:33

We're traveling the world. So Saturday, Ellie and I are flying to San Diego to Next Gen, where we're gonna be there for the first part of the week, and I'm gonna be doing a session on empathy, and she is on a panel of March. Panel with Ryan from JetFresh and Megan. They're on a marketing panel for something. And then we are flying from there to Grand Rapids, Michigan. To the Great Lakes Floral Expo, where we are taking two sessions. Are you doing your leadership one there? We're doing our leadership one there. And then we are doing one about cameras, Canva, and cash. I don't know what exactly it's called. I can't remember the name of it. My brain is not functioning now, but it's going to be fun. It's all LE like phot photography type stuff. It's going to be fun. Yeah, so we're going to be gone like eight days. It's going to be a wild trip. That will be a long trip. So and then we get back Monday. And so we'll be home for a month, a little over a month. And then we go to what? Des Moines.

SPEAKER_01 23:02

We go to Des Moines for another photo shoot. And we're doing a program in Des Moines. So it will be a lot of education in the last next six weeks. So good. So if you're going to be in the area of next gen or Michigan Floral Association is going to be great. If you've never been there, be sure.

SPEAKER_02 23:22

I'm excited. I'm excited to do that. That's been on our list to visit at some point. You've never been able to because you're always out of town when Great Lakes goes on. But it'll be good. Yeah, it's just hard when it's back to back like that. Yeah, you and that is a bummer. That is.

SPEAKER_01 23:42

That is a real bummer.

SPEAKER_02 23:46

So, but anyway, I'm hoping to meet new people, as always. That's the goal.

SPEAKER_01 23:51

And some of our clickers should go. I've never never been to either one of those. And it's not too late to get registered.

SPEAKER_02 23:58

No, I don't think it is, especially the Great Lakes one, I wouldn't think. That's what we got going on. Busy, busy, busy. I better start packing.

SPEAKER_01 24:09

Better get packed up. Yep. So we just want to encourage you to hit the reset button and decompress, reevaluate your goals, get ready for what's going on next. Remember to maintain that positive attitude, promote healthy habits, get back to those healthy habits, and continue to show appreciation for one another. So until next week.

SPEAKER_02 24:33

Thank you so much for listening to our podcast. We hope you enjoyed spending time with us because we enjoy spending time with you. If you did, make sure you hit that subscribe button or add the Business and Pleasure of Flowers to your Google morning routine or your flash briefing on Alexa. We look forward to seeing you next week.

SPEAKER_00 24:55

So please come back and join us and discover how a bit of knowledge and one small change in your mindset can take you to new levels in your life and business.