The Floral Hustle

Jeni: [00:00:00] [00:01:00] Hello flower friends. It's Jen and I wanted to do a totally different episode. I wanna do an episode kind of centered, like I have had a very kind of crazy emotional. just life changing last couple weeks and through these last couple weeks, I've had all of these like moments also that have just made me reflect and know that.
Sometimes like the hard work is worth it sometimes. Just really sticking to who you wanted to be. You know, long ago when you're like thinking about this person that you wanted to [00:02:00] be like, that work to get there pays off. So in this episode, I want to share some of the life lessons and. Really kind of thought provoking moments, um, that have really unfolded in my life recently.
So about on the 25th of last month, we closed on our dream farm and it was really, kind of this surreal moment because my husband and I have been dreaming about this farm for, for six years now. Since we basically met, we had been looking for a farm. And we had always like, you know, something just wasn't always right.
And when something isn't, our motto, if it's not a fuck yes, then it's a fuck no. And we really, you know, have this criteria and all these things. And like this farm, [00:03:00] it's not exactly perfect, but it's. Pretty darn close. And so one of the life lessons is that like if you wait, it will come.
Um, we waited and like this really kind of magical farm kind of came into our life and all of these things that were really like, I think just signs. I mean, this farm is 20 minutes from where I went. I. I went to elementary school in Southern Minnesota. It has this beautiful bolted ceiling, um, like studio that I'm gonna be able to teach you guys videos.
I'm gonna be able to have people come and, you know, do private lessons and spend a day with me or two days, whatever it is. Because that person can stay up there because there's a shower and a bathroom in my studio. And so just [00:04:00] like all of these things that I've been dreaming, like I had dreamed that people were going to come to my farm and I was gonna hang out with them and like reignite their passion about flowers and I was gonna teach them how to.
Really have this business that you just absolutely fucking love and that you make money at, and that you get to be the mother and the human and the wife and just everything. And like I had like just been thinking about that. And then here is this studio that just is like perfect. And there's these cool, um, spiral staircase, which I had spiral black spiral staircase.
When I grew up and like, just like all of these things, this barn already was having events in it. So like I am already planning the August Floral Rockstar Retreat that is going to be on my farm. I, I, I just like all of these things come together. So [00:05:00] my second, you know, of course you wait and it comes and I truly believe that is that if you set your mind to it.
It will happen. And like that, setting your mind to it, not only if you like wait and it will come, but you need to commit. You need to commit that this is happening, that your success is inevitable. Like your body if you want to be fit is is going to happen. And. Maybe that guy that you are gonna be in a relationship that's gonna treat you like the beautiful human that you are and that you deserve and is gonna love your, your child that you had.
'cause that dad is what, whatever, like, whatever it is. If you absolutely believe that it is going to happen. I, I mean, I've had so many people just say, Jenny, I knew what was gonna happen for you. [00:06:00] Like, I just knew it because I knew it. I knew that this was going to happen. I knew that this was going to, this farm was inevitable.
This my business and how it's going to evolve, how I had dreamed of it evolving, that was like inevitable. And so the power of you dreaming I and, and how I want you to bring this back to yours. If you're sitting there and you're going to your nine to five. And you're like, this doesn't feel good. My boss is an a-hole.
Um, I hate this. I love flowers. Like I love flowers. I wish I could do flowers. Stop saying I wish. I am going to own a wedding and event floral business. I am going to own a flower shop, whatever it is. Start speaking that like this is going to happen. You are going to make this [00:07:00] dream. It's not a dream. It's like just when.
When is this going to happen and what are you doing to execute My next like big life lesson is consistency above all else in life will make you successful. I had, uh, uh, about two weeks ago, my fourth Minnesota Floral Collective event. And you probably, if you've listened to the podcast, have heard me talk about this.
Like I dreamed about the Minnesota Floral Collective and bringing Minnesota florists together and creating education here and creating a space for community that, like it was just this. Not mean Girls, ADI Floral Edition that I felt so many years ago at the wholesaler, it was now going to be like, Hey, how are you?
Like, what's going on? [00:08:00] And when I'm at this event and I'm just like, I'm seeing all of these people, it was this moment that not only can. Your dreams come true, like this big dream of me having the floral collective. Your dream can make a difference. So if you have been dreaming of doing something, whatever it is, that dream can impact and have this ripple of really impact in the world.
And I saw all of these flower friends just sitting there and talking to each other. And then we had someone, a creative lawyer come that like specializes in working with creative business owners and she was talking about contracts and all these things, and I just saw all these people feverishly taking notes and like really [00:09:00] soaking it in and coming and talking to me afterwards about how like that was so impactful and just.
And then I saw we had an somebody come to talk about making your business more inclusive and I just saw these light bulb moments on how people didn't know how being, you know, L-G-B-T-Q AI felt if you were getting married and you sent an email and like you are not knowing if that vendor. We will work with you or not.
And it was just like this space for people to ask questions and people to understand. And I had an insurance person come, my insurance person, uh, and he was just like answering questions about like, what kind of policy? Like if you're driving your personal car, what happens? And just, I, I just felt like I am creating this little space for people to [00:10:00] grow.
In a place where we don't really have that conduit for growth. And it was just one of those moments of like, not only can dreams happen, but like your dream can have impact. And I, I say that because whatever you're dreaming, that impact might not be like this floral community. That impact might be your kids.
It might be your grandkids. It might be you and your husband or your partner, or it might be just you living this happier life. It doesn't have to be this big grand thing. I dream really, really big you guys, but like it can be so local like that, you're just making your cat fucking happy, like you're giving your cat a better life and that dream.
Is worth it. You impacted someone. [00:11:00] Something like that makes a difference. All right, next. I have learned a lot of lessons lately, you guys. I had this situation where I, I have these, um, cultural decorators that are honestly like, there's a group of them. So they're in this group text texting me, and they're always like wanting rapid fire estimates and they have a million ideas and like, what would this cost with silk flowers?
And honestly, it's kind of exhausting because there's just like all of these cooks in the kitchen and they text me these pictures and they were like, we really want it. Like this thing that you made before. I'm like, okay. But they were like, but no greenery. I'm like, okay, so here's the price. Making it with no greenery.
I didn't know that we needed a hundred roses, so they the per and one of the other minions picked it up and I really like her. She is really a sweet [00:12:00] person. Very kind. But the other person is who led the conversation with me initially and picks it up. Oh, it's so beautiful. They get it and all of a sudden she's like, this was supposed to have way more roses.
That's what we sold the client. And I was like, what are you talking about? Like, I made this exactly like, and I'm screen, she screenshotted this like picture she sent me of an all white arrangement and I'm like, I meet you an all white arrangement. And I'm like, I, I made it just like the other one than I made.
And she was like, well, this is way more hydrangeas. And, and I'm like, yeah, but you wanted to keep the price down. So we went back and forth. So I ended up having to leave. Like three o'clock in the afternoon run up to the wholesaler. I got a hundred more, 125 actually more roses. Went over to a city that was another 25 minutes away.
I on processed and stuck all of these roses, reflexed them, uh, got them in to the [00:13:00] arrangements for them to take down for this. Proposal and I am fuming because I know I was, I felt like I was very clear in what I said. I, when I got there, the woman came out that is the rational, really sweet one, and I was like.
Just to let you know, I, I feel like I really kind of communicated this well and these roses just cost me an additional 200, um, dollars and like I am, it was like, I think 2 25 and I said, obviously, uh, I, I've never had this happen and I've been a florist for almost 30 years. So it's, this is really not, um.
Not feeling very, uh, good for this situation right now. So, because I, I know I, but I don't want your client to be unhappy because that's not their fault. So I'm fixing it. But I'd like to talk about this [00:14:00] afterwards. So afterwards, they started texting me. Asking me for these really simple hydrangea centerpieces.
And, um, I, I told them, you know, like what they were trying to do was really unattainable. And so finally I, I like said, you know, I just wanna tell you guys that I, um, really. This, this situation that happened. Uh, I, I said I don't like to and, and try to avoid, uh, any situation that is higher stress. I said I like to run my business with ease.
I like to have clear communication. I like to have things that are systematic and really, um. Are aren't, like, we're not running all over. And I said, and so with this situation, there is a lot of people texting me, a lot of people wanting, you know, [00:15:00] quotes for a million things all the time. And I said. It. I, I don't know if, if all things stay the same, if I feel comfortable working together going forward, and I said, I really enjoy you immensely.
I think you are really kind and I love your energy, but like as a whole, it's very complicated working with you guys and. She was like, I totally understand this was a huge miscommunication and I'm so sorry, you know, on and on and on. And I'm like, I understand that, but uh, what I'm telling you is like, this costs me a lot of additional money for something that I don't feel that was my fault.
And so, I don't know, um, if going forward. How that's going to be avoided because [00:16:00] going forward, like I am not going to make a mistake. Um, that I feel like I was really clear. I'm not going to be able to fix it. And she's like, well, we'll just be really clear in our communication. And I'm like, okay, well, I'm going to have to ask a lot more questions and I, I'm gonna need to make sure that we have very concise direction that this is okay.
And I was like, it was really disheartening. You said it was beautiful. And then five minutes down the road, I, I'm having to run all over and fix this situation that wasn't mine. So the lesson learned in this is that for one. I, I now with certain situations, and I do do this with already, with other decorators, other planners, I need to ask what percentage of greenery, what percentage of, um, you know, roses If they send me something [00:17:00] that doesn't look like the previous, so.
Maybe I need to do some additional re clarification, but the biggest thing is, is that they now know, because I made my feelings known that going forward, like I am not messing around. I. I just don't have time for that. And on top of it, our first conversation, she's trying to get something at a very low cost.
I am not available to do something like that last minute. That doesn't financially make sense. And so my lesson was, is that sticking up for yourself is huge. I for one, felt better afterwards because I was stewing angry about the situation with them, and I don't like to be angry ever. And then the second lesson is, is that I [00:18:00] want to make sure that my communication is so clear because I'm thinking something doesn't mean that they are thinking it.
And. Even. It doesn't matter what it really is. If you feel like there's a question to be asked, just asked it. Ask it. And if that makes you feel like you're being a nuisance, it's better than having to run all over hell to put and buy 125 additional roses and run all over hell in the cold processing roses in the back of a U-Haul van.
So lesson learned. All right. My other lesson learned is I am getting this current house ready for sale and I found a, a labor company that had [00:19:00] labor that had, they were like certain expertises and I. Had hired them to do some yard work and to do, you know, a couple, um, like painting the exterior trim. So they were having a painter come and they were having a yard work person come and it was like 30 to $35 an hour, depending on the amount of labor, uh, hours that you book them for.
The one person was doing a great job, really clear communication, but the person doing the painting, I asked them the questions and I said, do you need any other tools? And I should have really dove in and, and asked him more. This is again, asked more questions. Um, I assumed because he had told me he had done some painting.
I should have just clarified. What kind of painting had he done in the past? And then I should have [00:20:00] clarified my expectations. So that was my lesson learned, is I needed to be abundantly clear because I came out and there was paint on my siding. He didn't tape anything off, but he didn't ask me for tape.
And so I didn't even think about it. He was supposedly having paint blow. Onto the siding because of the wind. It was not the greatest weather. It wasn't raining, but not the greatest weather. And I'm like, okay. So then me being, Hey, I'm gonna give a person a second chance, he came back again. I went and bought him latex paint remover, and there's still paint all over my siding because.
He didn't prioritize that getting this clean was the first [00:21:00] priority. Me having paint on my siding is making my skin crawl, and so him not caring, I should have been more clear. But then that also just clarified not the right person. So then he text me and left early. Didn't tell me that he was not going to be finishing today.
And so he text me later asking if he could come back the next day to finish everything. And I said, Hey, thank you for helping, but I'm gonna reassess where everything's at and I'll let you know if I need help again. So my lessons learned in this is, again, clarifying my expectations of I, I just thought it was assumed.
I. That we didn't want. We wanna make sure we're not getting any paint on the siding a little bit. It's an accident. I get it. A tornado of it, not so much. So [00:22:00] that was one lesson, and then also, again, just clarifying expectations on timing and you know, really just like. This is, if you're going to work for me, this is what I need from you.
And I think I, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt often, but this was just like for real, dude. Then this other guy who's doing a great job at the yard work, I just say, Hey, what do you normally do for work? And he's a painter slash. Like, you know, kind of does it all. Um, DIY kind of fix it. Guy handyman, he's like, well, I do painting, I do soffits, I do fascias on the outside.
I do flooring. And I'm like, why didn't this company send this guy? He sends me videos of all of this painting he's done. That's absolutely great. So my [00:23:00] second lesson learned is. I should just be asking more questions, uh, of like, when I do like somebody, Hey, what, what do you do? Like, what do you normally do?
Because you never know when you will find a nugget. And I had that moment happen again today. I was at, um, the cultural, um, wedding rockstar workshop today and. I have the most wonderful woman who helps me. Her name is Sarah. She worked at my daughter's karate studio, or she works there, her daughter goes there.
Her daughter is a third degree black belt. And uh, I randomly, you know, just always talked with her. She was just always so kind and nice and very kind to bella, very like, good with transitioning Bella when Bella was having problems, et cetera. And. She said to um me one day, she's like, yeah, you know, my [00:24:00] daughter pretty soon is gonna be graduating and you know, I'm just gonna be figuring out, you know, what I'm gonna be doing next.
And I'm like, do you wanna help with flowers? Like that would be amazing if you wanna try sometime. She was like, so excited and. So she started coming and helping me process and helping me inventory and pull things. And like today we're at the workshop and she's like setting all these things up and I realized that I forgot something.
She ran to the wholesaler, went and grabbed it for me and just like this amazing thing, like I just worry 10 times less when I, I am there. So it was also a reminder like. You never know when you are gonna find this amazing person that could help you in your business or help you in your life somehow, unless you ask questions.
And when you ask those questions like [00:25:00] you just, I, I just am naturally inquisitive and I learned like so much about her and like. I had no idea that she was gonna leave the karate studio when her daughter left, because there's not really a reason to be there anymore. You know? And just on and on. Like, so when you start asking more questions, you might find somebody whose daughter is getting married.
You might find somebody who's planning a, a graduation party. You might, there's just so many things that you could learn. So my, my big, I guess, lesson is just be curious and ask questions. Because when you do that, you could find gold. All right, I have two more stories. So this is kind of a, a, a long, long one, but I, with the tornado, um, cultural, um.
Wedding planner slash decorators I was mentioning earlier, they, a month and a [00:26:00] half ago, two months ago, reached out to me on what looked like a really fun wedding hanging installation, uh, flowers spilling off the tables, greens and whites and orchids, hydrangeas hammer, anthes, like very artful at a. Modern, you know, kind of venue.
Um, modern, white, uh, you know, light and airy venue. So a venue that actually is really close to where my, my new farm is. So I was like excited, like I'm going to get in the door. So I bid it and everything and then I didn't hear back. Week, two weeks, I always circle back and they're like, we're still working on it.
And then finally, like three weeks later, I'm like, we're getting closer down to the wire that I need to start ordering things if you guys want me to help you with this. And it was for one of their family members or something. Uh, and they're like, we have another florist [00:27:00] that is, um, substantially cheaper.
And I'm like. Hmm. They really want this job. They're newer and they just really want this job. And so they're really, um, doing a great deal. And this weekend was that wedding. And so here I am on Instagram looking to see who that venue is, tagging and looking to see who they're tagging Then. My photographer friend texts me and she's like, Hey, did you do this wedding?
And I'm like, no, I wasn't there. Do you? You don't know who the florist was? She's like, was no. And then she's like texting me later, oh, somebody new. I've never heard of him. And it was weird because I have this moment of like fraudy feelings. Like going, they didn't pick me and [00:28:00] here is this other, and then I go and look at her Instagram and she is really doing beautiful work.
And then like all the fratty feelings, you know when you look at somebody's Instagram, you're like, fuck. Like look at that stuff they're making so beautiful. And then I thought, she ain't making no fucking money. She is, in my opinion, probably losing money. Because there was no way the flowers just with me knowing what things cost.
The flowers that I saw for on Instagram that I had quoted out were cheaper. Like that is crazy. So I just like, I sat back and I go, okay, where did those feelings come from? And so like. One lesson is like, I just reflected on why this didn't feel good. So for one, I lost the job. So they picked somebody else for two.
They're [00:29:00] questioning my pricing for three. Here's this florist doing beautiful work. And like brown tinted some bits that were just like stunning. And I'm like, I don't even know where I'd get those right now. You know? So like it just made me. Question, like, and where are they getting those green hydrangeas?
They look like locally grown hydrangeas. And so they're just making me question like, huh. And then I'm like thinking like, okay, this person spent an enormous time sourcing because like those aren't anywhere. That's easy then. How they priced it. They didn't make any money. They hired some of the freelancers that I have freelance for me, so then they hired a bunch of helpers too.
So then I just was like, who cares? Who cares? It's probably a great thing that this florist is getting experienced. So I turned it around like what's positive? It's a great thing that these crazy people that I am struggling with that [00:30:00] by default, I think because I was. The most experienced for what they're looking for, they would often come to me.
Maybe this florist will help them now so that that can alleviate some of that back and forth because. Another florist, they're either going to think and find that other florist, or after interacting with them for some time, they're gonna go, oh my God, Jenny is so helpful. She's so good with figuring out pricing.
She's so good with getting back to us fast with information. And that's not the experience I have elsewhere. So I, it just made me think. You know what, it's, it's probably a good thing. They went in another direction. They did beautiful work, and I am so grateful that they found someone who was cheaper, good for them, and did great work.
So I'm glad that they have another resource. I could, like I, of course, for a second, I very quickly can [00:31:00] snap outta that. But for a second I was like, this doesn't feel good. And. The real opportunity is to reflect on why I, I felt like maybe I hadn't spent as much time investing in my relationship with them to get them to book me, or maybe I priced it incorrectly and you just start wondering and going down the spiral.
And whenever I do that, I slap my hands. I was like, I just stop. I am a great florist. I am an amazing business owner. I am a profitable business owner, and there is nothing that is going to stop me from being that person, and this is not going to help that situation. So if you run into that, just reflect on and dig in.
Why are you feeling that way? Something maybe you're feeling inadequate, maybe you're feeling whatever. Maybe you're feeling you're not good enough. Why? Keep asking [00:32:00] yourself, why? Why do I feel that way? Okay, why do I feel that way? What, what is this underlying feeling? Because like I always know, going back to it, I never felt good enough.
And so this is probably tugging at those little, I never felt good enough heartstrings from all those deep wounds of mom or of whatever that are just still kind of layered in me because I am confident. Another lesson this week, and I'll end with this, is you are a mirror to your children. And I had, um, Bella, we were going to, um, where were we going on Monday?
Oh, we were going to jitsu for Bodhi. And she goes, um, yeah mom. We were, um, talking about stuff at school today, and I was like, oh, what were you talking about? She's like, confidence. And uh, I was like, oh. She was like, I was telling everybody how confident [00:33:00] my mom was. I was like, oh, that's an interesting conversation.
How did that come up, Bella? And she was just like, oh, we were just talking about a bunch of different stuff. And I was just telling them how confident my mom was and how she does all of these big amazing things and. I was like, well that was very nice of you to say. And I was like, are you confident Bella?
And she is like, not always, but I'm working on it. And I just thought that that was a really insightful way to say like, mom, I'm not a hundred percent there, but I at least like I'm trying and I see you and I see how confidence in your life is and I'm working on it. So. Just remember that you are a mirror not only to your children, but the world and the things that you do, the stances you take, the actions you take, the how [00:34:00] you show up in everything.
Uh, it really makes a difference and people see you more than you know. I. At the Minnesota Floor Collective had so many people come up to say, just wanna say, I follow your coaching page and I'm so excited for this next, you know, chapter in your life and you deserve it. You are so inspirational. You are so, um, motivational.
I love, you know, just everything that you really kind of foundationally stand for and like just, um, I had probably like. Seven and five to seven people come up and say some version of that. So whatever you're doing, people are paying attention. You are more impactful than, you know, maybe not to like the masses, like getting on a podcast like I do twice a week.
But you impact someone, and that could be your kids, that could be your spouse, uh, that could be your parents, that could be your neighbor. And you are so much more impactful than you're giving yourself credit for. And [00:35:00] I hope you step into that power because when you start to believe in you and other people see that they can start to believe in themself too.
And then there's just this ripple and you deserve your own ripple. We all do. So I hope all of these little lessons that I've learned lately were in, were. Maybe you grabbed one little nugget out of there and I so appreciate you listening. I am so grateful for the support you guys give me. And thank you so much for listening, flower Friend.
And you have an amazing flower filled week. I. [00:36:00]