Win-Win Relationships For Farmers & Florists with Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers (SFFF33)

(The Six Figure Flower Farming Podcast, Episode #33)

Episode Summary:

In this conversation, Ellen Frost, owner of Local Color Flowers, discusses her unique business model that prioritizes local sourcing and building relationships with farmers.

She emphasizes the importance of communication, relationships, and understanding pricing in the floral industry. Ellen shares insights on how farmers can successfully sell to florists and the value of unique flowers in the market.

The conversation highlights the significance of finding the right florist-farmer match and the collaborative nature of successful farmer-floral relationships.

Ellen and Jenny explore the intricate dynamics between florists and farmers, emphasizing the importance of understanding each other's businesses, building empathy, and effective communication. They discuss the challenges of quality control, the need for education on seasonality, and the significance of nurturing relationships for mutual success in the floral industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ellen Frost is the owner of Local Color Flowers, a floral design studio in Baltimore.

  • Local Color Flowers sources all flowers from farms within 100 miles of Baltimore.

  • Ellen acts as a bridge between farmers and florists, advocating for both sides.

  • Communication with farmers is essential for sourcing flowers effectively.

  • Pricing in the floral industry typically involves a three times markup.

  • Farmers should understand florists' pricing models to ensure mutual profitability.

  • Building relationships with florists takes time and effort but is crucial for success.

  • Finding the right match between farmers and florists can lead to win-win situations. Understanding who your florist is and their customers is crucial.

  • Not all crops are profitable; emotional attachment can cloud judgment.

  • Communication and empathy are essential for successful florist-farmer relationships.

  • Building relationships can lead to better collaboration and sales.

Chapters of Interest:

00:00 Introduction to Local Color Flowers

02:49 The Unique Business Model of Local Color Flowers

05:55 Building Relationships with Farmers

08:53 The Importance of Communication in Sourcing

14:57 Understanding Pricing in the Floral Industry

17:57 Finding the Right Florist-Farmer Match

24:07 Building Successful Farmer-Floral Relationships

33:52 Understanding Florist-Farmer Dynamics

38:57 Building Empathy and Communication

44:45 Navigating Quality and Communication Challenges

58:05 Strengthening Relationships for Mutual Success

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How to get time back for money-making tasks (with real labor numbers from our farm) (SFFF32)