You can see Sarah's 50-foot-long floral V-O-T-E display at 329 North Cherry Strees (along Hwy 20) in Burlington, Washington (c) Sara Welch Photo Co.
Before we jump into today's main segment, I want to recognize that Election Day in the U.S. is coming up in just six days on November 3rd. I've been wowed by the creative gestures of floral activism from our Slow Flowers members around the country. I've invited one of those members to share what she's doing in her community as a bonus interview. Let's jump right in and meet Sarah Wagstaff of SUOT Farm & Flowers In Burlington, Washington.
This indeed has been a year in which I'm acutely aware that my business, career and personal acts need more meaning to reflect my values. I hope you find Sarah's floral VOTE message as encouraging as I do.
Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers in Baltimore, Maryland
Okay, let's jump right into today's wonderful conversation with Ellen Frost of Local Color Flowers and Lisa Ziegler of The Gardener's Workshop.
Both women are past guests of the Slow Flowers Podcast, so I've added links to their earlier appearances in today's show notes. And full disclosure, The Gardener's Workshop is a financial supporter of Slow Flowers and we consider its founder Lisa Ziegler an important partner in furthering our mission in the Slow Flowers Movement.
When Lisa told me that she recruited Ellen to create an online business course to help florists learn her unique flower sourcing approach, I knew this was an important topic for the Slow Flowers Community. I've asked them to talk about their project today. The course is called "Growing Your Business with Local Flower Sourcing."
And guess what?! We have another course giveaway today! Ellen is giving away a complimentary registration to her new online workshop. "Growing Your Business with Local Flower Sourcing," is a six-week course that begins January 4, 2021. Valued at $495, this is a generous giveaway! For listeners of this Podcast, be sure to make a comment in the show notes below -- and tell us one of your favorite ways to source locally-grown flowers. All comments posted by midnight Pacific on Sunday, November 8th will be entered into a random drawing for Ellen's course. Click on the link below to sign up for notifications when registration opens Nov. 16-20. I'm excited for the winner already!
Click here to sign up for notifications about Ellen's course
Here's a bit more about Ellen Frost:
Ellen Frost loves flowers. Even more, she loves owning and operating a flower studio which exclusively sources local flowers. Ellen founded her company, Local Color Flowers, in 2008 as a part-time wedding floral business to provide Baltimore area couples a more sustainable flower option for their celebrations. Over the past 12 years, Ellen has grown Local Color Flowers into a thriving business adding floral design classes, corporate events, subscriptions, and retail as well as creative social and educational community events – all using 100% locally grown flowers. Ellen’s business is a vital contributor to Baltimore’s local economy and a vibrant community resource.
Here is the outline for "Growing Your Business with Local Flower Sourcing"Class 1 -- Landscape of the Cut Flower IndustryClass 2 -- Why Local Flowers: Motivations, Definitions and GoalsClass 3 -- Building Relationships With Local GrowersClass 4 -- Logistics of Local FlowersClass 5 -- Differentiating, Marketing and Selling Local FlowersClass 6 -- Making Your Business An Indispensable Community Asset
Local Color Flowers on Slow Flowers PodcastEpisode 163 (October 15, 2014)
Find and follow Local Color Flowers at these social places:Local Color Flowers on FacebookLocal Color Flowers on Instagram
Lisa Ziegler at The Gardener's Workshop Farm in Newport News, Virginia
Here's a bit more about Lisa Ziegler:
What began as a small cut-flower farm producing for local markets has grown into so much more.