Alex Peschell of Coram Deo Farm - Building a profitable flower farm from the start (SFFF12)
(The Six Figure Flower Farming Podcast, Episode #12)
Episode Summary:
In this conversation, beginning flower farmer, Alex Peschell from Coram Deo Farm, shares her journey of starting a flower farm and the strategies she has implemented to achieve success from the start.
She emphasizes the importance of simplicity and focusing on high volume sales through her roadside stand. Alex echo's Jenny’s advice in needing to understand and cater to customer preferences, rather than getting caught up in growing a wide variety of flowers.
She discusses the significance of efficiency and time management in maximizing productivity and the importance of financial management and making smart investments to ensure profitability. Lastly, she emphasizes the need for excellence in product quality and the importance of continuous learning and growth in the flower farming industry.
In this conversation, Alex shares valuable insights and advice for starting a flower farm as a beginner. The conversation covers the importance of patience and skill, the myth of 'if you grow it, they will come', the necessity of marketing and branding, marketing strategies and tips, the power of email lists, and efficiency in bouquet making. Alex's entrepreneurial mindset and analytical approach to business are highlighted throughout the conversation.
Key Takeaways:
Simplicity and high volume sales can lead to success in flower farming.
Understanding and catering to customer preferences is crucial for profitability.
Efficiency and time management are key to maximizing productivity.
Financial management and smart investments are essential for long-term success.
Excellence in product quality is important for building a reputable brand. Patience and skill are crucial when starting a flower farm. It's better to take the time to learn the necessary skills than to launch with a subpar product.
The myth of 'if you grow it, they will come' is not true. Flower farmers need to invest a significant amount of time into branding and marketing to attract customers.
Marketing and social media are essential for the success of a flower farm. Alex spends 30% to 40% of her time on branding and marketing.
Facebook is a valuable platform for marketing to a local community, while Instagram can be more suited for engaging with other flower farmers. Building an email list is also important for reaching customers directly.
Efficiency in bouquet making can significantly increase production. Analyzing and optimizing the bouquet-making process can save time and effort.
Chapters of Interest:
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Starting the Farm and Early Success
02:25 Simplicity and Focus on High Volume
06:19 Marketing and Location
08:29 Approach to Business and Growing
10:21 Importance of Simplifying and Focusing on Customer Needs
13:19 The Value of Simplifying and Focusing on Customer Needs
16:31 Myth of Variety and Instead - Growing for Customers
19:10 Putting Customers First in Business Decisions
22:13 Efficiency and Time Management
25:48 Financial Management and Smart Investments
28:06 Expectations vs Reality of Flower Farming
33:44 Financial Management and Spending Restraint
42:57 Striving for Excellence in Product Quality
47:25 The Importance of Learning and Growing Before Starting a Business
48:16 The Importance of Patience and Skill
49:05 The Myth of 'If You Grow It, They Will Come'
50:23 The Necessity of Marketing and Branding
52:04 Marketing Strategies and Tips
58:30 The Power of Email Lists
01:03:32 Efficiency in Bouquet Making
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