In this episode of The Florist's Table: Beautiful People, Val McNichols sits down with Tammy Porto, founder and creative director of Wild Nomad Flower Co., a northern New Jersey studio known for its editorial-inspired designs, immersive brand activations, and artful approach to weddings and events.

Tammy shares her wildly non-linear path into floristry — from screenwriting and film casting to branding and web design — and how buying a flower truck three months after having her son (right before COVID parked it in her garage for two years) turned into the business of her dreams. She opens up about imposter syndrome, finding her aesthetic through large-scale installations and floral-scaping, and the years of invested skill people never see behind the work.

Plus, Tammy announces her brand-new second business, Wild Revivals — a grand, production-style event design studio.

It's a conversation about creativity, reinvention, and trusting the pull toward what's yours.

Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/beautiful-people-tammy-porto

Abby Chick sits down with Alex Vaughan, owner of FLWR Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, for a conversation that gets right to the heart of what Thorns & All is about: the real, unfiltered side of running a flower business.

Alex shares why she walked away from big-budget weddings and events to go all-in on retail — and how that pivot gave her back her weekends, her creative energy, and a customer base that aligns with her values. She's candid about what speaking up has cost her, how she grew FLWR Shop's social media without losing her voice, and the hiring philosophy that keeps her team strong: a love of beauty, attention to detail, and a willingness to wash buckets.

Plus: rebuilding after a tornado destroyed her first shop, the Nicole Kidman Practical Magic moment, and what's next — a farm, and a long-awaited step into education and consulting.

New episodes of Thorns & All, a Florist's Table series hosted by Abby Chick, are available wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/thorns-and-all-alex-vaughan

Thinking about going freelance in the floral industry? You're not alone - many florists are choosing this path to build careers that reflect their creativity and values. But how do you actually make it work?

In this episode, Clarissa Marchia and Kate Truhlar share with host, Yvonne Ashton, the strategies that helped them build thriving freelance careers. From leveraging social media to find your first clients, to networking within the floral community, to understanding your worth and pricing confidently - they cover the real-world tactics that matter.

Whether you're just starting out or reconsidering your current business model, you'll hear practical advice on setting your fee, building your portfolio, and creating a fulfilling freelance career. Pull up a chair at The Florist's Table for honest insights into what it takes to succeed as a freelance florist.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/5-tips-for-successful-floral-freelance-career

In this episode of The Florist's Table: Beautiful People, Val McNichols sits down with Roberta Staggs, founder and lead designer of Hiawathia Floral Design Co. in Indianapolis — known for her modern, editorial-style floral work and fearless use of color.

Roberta shares the story of her grandmother, whose weekly sunflower deliveries first showed her how healing flowers can be, and how a single floral workshop pulled her out of a medical career and into a creative one. She opens up about training under a strict European instructor (no foam allowed — the start of her eco-sustainable practice), her storytelling approach to Art in Bloom exhibitions, and her signature series, Fashion Meets Floristry.

They also talk representation in the floral industry, why knowing your "why" matters more than any trend, and Roberta's mission to make beautiful flowers something for everyone, every day — not just weddings and funerals.

It's a conversation about color, purpose, and showing up boldly in every space you enter.

Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/beautiful-people-roberta-staggs

For the very first episode of Thorns & All, Abby Chick sits down with two people who changed the trajectory of her own business: Natalie Gill and Meg Blancato, co-owners of Native Poppy in San Diego. What started as one storefront (and a cold-call email that read "I don't have a lot of experience, but I'm a joy to be around") has grown into a floral powerhouse — retail shops, large-scale weddings, e-courses, a micro flower farm, a book on the way, and four locations by spring 2027.

Abby, Natalie, and Meg dig into the real mechanics of a business partnership: how Meg went from brand-new employee to co-owner, why making it legal matters, how they divide and conquer a 20+ person team, and what it took to survive two floods, a car through the storefront, and a pandemic — together. Plus, their honest advice for any florist considering bringing on a partner.

New episodes of Thorns & All, a Florist's Table series hosted by Abby Chick, are available wherever you get your podcasts.

After 30 years designing weddings and events, Susan Davis knows the reality: florists need to show clients their vision before they build it, communicate clearly with their team, and execute flawlessly, all while maintaining creative control.

That's why she created BloomVision, a tool built specifically for the way florists actually work. With professional templates, a curated flower library, and automatic stem counts and build sheets, BloomVision takes designers from concept to installation with confidence.

In this episode, host Yvonne Ashton talks with Susan about her journey from set design to event florals, the problem that inspired BloomVision, and how the tool is changing the way florists design, present, and build their work. Whether you're curious about the future of floral design technology or ready to streamline your workflow, this conversation is for you.

Pull up a chair at The Florist's Table. Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/susan-davis-bloomvision-for-florists

In this episode of Beautiful People at the Florist's Table, Val McNichols sits down with Pennylyn Woosley, founder of Blossom and Bee Floral in New Jersey.

Pennylyn shares how growing up in her family's garden center shaped her path — even as she tried to escape it — and how a degree in business and finance ultimately became one of her greatest assets as a floral designer. She opens up about the rare intersection of creativity and financial literacy, and why she's passionate about helping other florists understand the business behind the blooms.

They also dig into her work with the AIFD design team, taking gold at the Philadelphia Flower Show, and what it takes to push creative boundaries on one of the industry's biggest stages.

It's a conversation about passion, perseverance, and building a floral career that's as smart as it is beautiful.

Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/beautiful-people-pennylyn-woosley

Join Yvonne Ashton as she discusses with three seasoned florists their biggest failures and how these moments became pivotal for their growth. Discover how confidence, preparation, and resilience can turn errors into valuable lessons. Ellie Siegel discusses overcoming self-doubt, Patty Nix recounts recovering from a wind-toppled arbor, and Sara Lunn reveals how candle wax disasters fueled her growth. Learn practical tactics like setting pricing boundaries, thorough planning, and handling the unexpected with calm. This episode is perfect for both emerging florists and seasoned pros looking to strengthen their mental toughness. If you've ever wondered whether failure is a sign to quit or a cue to pivot, this conversation will shift your perspective. Remember, thriving florists are those who keep learning, adjusting, and blooming through every challenge. Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/florist-fails

In this episode of The Florist's Table: Beautiful People, Val McNichols sits down with floral artist and content creator Trey Brown, founder of Trey J Creates.

Trey shares how he approaches floral design as storytelling—creating pieces that draw people in, spark emotion, and invite a second look. From his standout Wicked-inspired installation to his signature use of texture and movement, his work is anything but traditional.

They also dive into his journey into floristry, the emotional impact of flowers, and what it means to show up authentically in the industry. Trey opens up about representation, embracing creativity without limits, and how social media became a space to spread positivity during challenging times.

It's a conversation about art, identity, and the power of flowers to connect us all.

Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/beautiful-people-trey-brown

What does it mean to feel both content where you are and called to something more?

In this episode, host Val McNichols sits down with Jen Cavender of Nectar & Bloom for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, intuition, and building a life in floral design that feels aligned.

Jen's journey began on her family's produce farm, where she grew and sold flowers alongside her sister. Though she later pursued poetry and academia, she eventually realized that flowers could hold both artistic expression and career. Today, she's not only a floral designer but also the creator of Tarot of Flowers — a tarot-inspired floral deck and guidebook born from symbolism, storytelling, and a deep love of meaning-making.

Jen shares how synesthesia and the idea of "translation" shape her work — how she translates what she sees, senses, and feels into floral form. She also opens up about imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the tension between wanting to do everything and learning to let some things go.

The episode closes with a live Tarot of Flowers reading — find out what card Val pulls and what the message reveals.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and pull up a chair for every episode.

Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/beautiful-people-jen-cavender

Ever feel like Instagram is working against you instead of for you? You're not alone.

In this episode, Yvonne Ashton, Ali Zimmerman, and Ana Romero from the Mayesh marketing team get brutally honest about Instagram's biggest frustrations—from the 90-second song limit and shadow-banning to the verification process that feels impossible, the collaboration caps that hurt our industry, and the scheduling limitations that disrupt workflow.

But we're not just complaining—we're sharing real solutions, workarounds, and strategies that help us navigate these challenges while still building community and reaching florists.

If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing Instagram wrong" or if the platform really is just this difficult—this episode is for you.

Topics covered:

• The link-in-caption paywall problem
• Why new accounts don't get features immediately
• Video quality compression issues
• The 5-person collaboration limit
• Scheduling Reels challenges for seasonal businesses
• Algorithm changes and shadow-banning anxiety
• Practical workarounds: Edits app, Repost feature, autoresponders
• What we'd fix about Instagram tomorrow

Join the conversation and remember: you're more than your engagement rate. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and pull up a chair for every episode. Visit the link for show notes and video podcast: https://www.mayesh.com/blog/instagram-confessions-marketing-team-spills-the-tea