What if your next chapter starts with a handful of seeds and a sunny corner of the yard? We walk through the surprisingly simple path from backyard blooms to a real, family-powered side hustle—no acres, no greenhouse, and no debt spiral required. You’ll hear how quick-win crops like zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, and marigolds can deliver early confidence and steady sales, why kid-friendly tasks turn gardening into a living classroom, and how small systems—clean buckets, sharp snips, smart weeding choices—save time without killing joy.

We get practical about money, too. From pricing easy-to-grab bunches for a farmers market or roadside stand to planning a tiny bouquet subscription, you’ll learn how to match harvest windows to demand and keep promises you can actually keep. We break down DIY flower buckets for weddings and parties, the power of drying unsold stems for off-season wreaths and bundles, and the simple storytelling that helps local flowers stand apart from imports. Expect concrete steps, not fluff: how to start with direct sowing, when to consider trays, what signage matters, and how to build a repeatable weekly flow.

Most of all, this is about meaning. Gardening with kids builds patience and pride. Selling locally reduces miles, chemicals, and waste. Sharing your values creates community around your table and your blooms. Whether you’re dreaming of a small farmers market presence, a seasonal CSA, or a tight niche like edible florals, the move is the same—start small, start now, and let the work teach you what to grow next. If this conversation gives you the nudge you needed, tap follow, send it to a friend who’s been dreaming of their own patch, and leave a quick review telling us your first baby step.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz

What happens when your passion project grows beyond what you ever imagined – and starts suffocating you? Lindsay Krick never set out to be a business owner. She just loved indoor cycling and noticed Delaware needed more of it. So she started trucking bikes to parking lots, wineries, and breweries for pop-up classes. Within months, those weekend events had transformed into a brick-and-mortar studio focused on mental wellness through movement.

"It was never supposed to be what it became," Lindsay reflects, sharing the raw reality behind her fitness empire that eventually grew to three locations and 45 instructors. Unlike traditional fitness studios focused on metrics and physical achievements, Lindsay built communities where people could process emotions, build relationships, and develop healthier self-talk while moving their bodies.

The pandemic shifted everything. The very essence of her business – bringing people together physically for community experiences – became impossible overnight. Though she pivoted repeatedly, the constant adaptation took its toll. "I felt like I was suffocating," Lindsay admits, describing the paralyzing weight of making decisions that affected so many people. Despite outward success, she reached a breaking point: "I literally went to bed one night. I woke up the next morning and said I'm closing the studio."

What makes this conversation so valuable is Lindsay's transparency about business struggles, burnout recognition, and finding your way back to joy. Now teaching "boxilates" pop-ups that combine rhythmic boxing, Pilates, and inspiration, she's reconnected with what originally sparked her passion – being invited into different communities and helping people find joy through movement.

Whether you're running a business, considering starting one, or simply trying to maintain wellness in a hectic world, Lindsay's journey offers powerful insights about listening to yourself, recognizing when to pivot, and remembering that "health is the soil that your whole life grows from."

Find Lindsay here!

https://www.instagram.com/withlinds?igsh=MWxuOWxhNjNpZGt6Yw==

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz

Your menstrual cycle isn't just a biological function—it's a blueprint for maximizing your productivity, health, and wellbeing. This eye-opening conversation with Alyx, co-founder of The Agenda app, reveals how tracking your cycle can transform every aspect of your life.

Alex shares her journey from accidental discovery to full-fledged "periodpreneur," explaining how she noticed her sales performance directly correlated with her menstrual cycle phases. This revelation led to a powerful insight: aligning our work and life with our natural biological rhythms creates more flow and less struggle.

The episode breaks down the four phases of the menstrual cycle—menstrual (winter), follicular (spring), ovulation (summer), and luteal (fall)—and how each phase brings different strengths. During menstruation, your body craves rest and supports internal planning. The follicular phase brings renewed energy perfect for implementing ideas. Ovulation makes you magnetic and persuasive—ideal for presentations and asking for what you need. The luteal phase enhances your attention to detail before transitioning to pre-menstrual sensitivity.

What makes this approach revolutionary is its practicality. Rather than forcing yourself to perform the same way every day, you can work with your natural ebbs and flows. This isn't about using your cycle as an excuse but as a roadmap to optimize your life. As Alyx puts it, "When I let the phase be the phase, everything feels easier."

The conversation also tackles cultural attitudes toward menstruation, the impact of birth control on decision-making, and how menstrual stigma creates a $1.3 trillion global economic problem. Most importantly, you'll learn simple ways to start implementing cycle awareness in your busy life, beginning with basic tracking and planning.

Ready to transform your relationship with your cycle? Visit theagendaperiod.com to learn more about cyclical living and download the app that's helping women around the world reclaim their natural rhythms and power.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz

Have you ever noticed how your shoulders relax and your breath deepens when you step into a garden? There's something profound happening in that moment—something that goes far beyond pretty flowers and vegetable harvests.

In this heartfelt episode, I open up about the unexpected mental health lessons I've discovered while tending to my flower farm. The garden has become my therapist, my meditation space, and my teacher. Those zinnias glowing in the morning light aren't just beautiful—they're reminders to slow down in a world that demands we constantly rush. The twisted stems finding their way to sunlight show us that growth is never linear, just like our own healing journeys.

When storms flatten our best blooms or pests destroy entire crops overnight, the garden teaches resilience—sometimes through holding on, but often through letting go. These aren't just gardening lessons; they're life lessons that have transformed how I approach challenges, setbacks, and even joy. Because that's another gift from the garden: learning to find delight in the smallest moments—a first bloom, a perfect petal, the hum of bees on a summer day.

Whether you have acres of land or just a pot of basil on your windowsill, your garden can become sacred ground for mental wellness. Every time we dig, water, prune or harvest, we're not just caring for plants—we're tending to something essential within ourselves. I'd love to hear what your garden has taught you about mental health. Share your experiences, and remember: may your mind be as nourished as your soil, and may your flowers remind you of the beauty in every season of life.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz

What if the flowers from your wedding day, memorial service, or special celebration could last forever? Andrea Cole, founder of Designs by Andrea, brings this possibility to life through her remarkable flower preservation artistry. In this captivating conversation, Andrea reveals how a Valentine's bouquet and the discovery of her husband's grandmother's pressed flower hobby sparked a passion that evolved into preserving thousands of meaningful floral arrangements.

Andrea walks us through the science behind flower preservation, explaining the seven different methods her studio employs to transform fresh blooms into lasting keepsakes. From silica gel extraction to microwave pressing, each technique addresses the unique characteristics of different flower types. She shares insider tips for beginners (hydrangeas are perfect starters!) while warning about the challenges certain blooms present (dahlias can be particularly tricky).

The preservation process Andrea describes is meticulous and time-intensive, taking two to three months from receiving fresh flowers to completing a finished art piece. This includes color restoration using five different techniques to ensure preserved flowers maintain their original vibrancy and beauty. Her thoughtful comparison of weddings to the Cinderella story—how everything disappears at midnight after months of planning—highlights why preservation has become so meaningful to couples wanting tangible memories of their special day.

With over 200 different design options and millions of customization possibilities, Andrea's studio creates everything from statement wall art to three-dimensional resin pieces. Her custom-designed "gem" pieces, which she developed with a moldmaker, represent her artistic vision and attention to detail. Whether you're considering preserving your own meaningful flowers or starting a preservation business, Andrea's advice to "not be scared" while respecting the craft's complexity offers the perfect balance of encouragement and realism.

Discover how these preserved florals become more than just decorative pieces—they transform into treasured heirlooms that tell stories and preserve memories for generations to come. Want to see Andrea's stunning work? Find her on Instagram @designsbyandrea, TikTok @dvandrea, or visit dvandrea.com to explore the magical world of flower preservation.

Find Andrea and schedule your bouquet preservation here:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/designs.by.andrea?igsh=M3kzNW9vcno5eXdn

Website - https://www.dbandrea.com/?utm_campaign=gmb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz

Ever felt that gut-wrenching disappointment when a potential client ghosts you after what seemed like the perfect consultation? You're not alone. In this refreshingly honest episode, we dive deep into why couples don't book with flower vendors—and why that might actually be the best thing for your business and mental health.

From the messy day-to-day realities of running a flower farm to the delicate dance of client expectations, we're pulling back the curtain on what really happens when potential clients walk away. Whether it's price shock (those $10,000 Pinterest installations aren't happening on a $500 budget!), personality clashes, or the dreaded "momzilla" who steamrolls her daughter's vision, we examine the real reasons behind lost bookings.

The most valuable insight? Not everyone is your client—and that's perfectly okay. Your energy, time, and artistic vision are sacred resources that deserve to be valued. When someone doesn't book you, it creates space for clients who truly appreciate your unique approach and creative perspective. It took me years to stop taking rejection personally, but once I understood this truth, my business—and my happiness—transformed.

For flower professionals struggling with ghosting, undervaluing, or just plain dismissal, this episode offers practical wisdom on refining your inquiry process, being crystal clear about pricing upfront, and recognizing the red flags that signal a client isn't your people. Because at the end of the day, the most successful businesses aren't the ones that book everyone—they're the ones that book the right ones.

Listen in, share with a fellow flower friend, and remember: your best work happens when you're working with clients who celebrate your vision, not just tolerate it.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz

Customer reviews aren't just nice-to-have compliments—they're powerful marketing tools that build trust and credibility for your business. In this revealing episode, we dive deep into why reviews matter so much, especially for emotionally-driven businesses like floristry and farming where connection and beauty are everything.

Feeling awkward about asking for reviews? You're not alone. We explore why this discomfort exists and how to reframe your thinking: when you've delivered a great experience, asking for feedback isn't begging—it's celebrating a successful collaboration between you and your customer. With practical strategies for making requests feel natural and prompts to help customers craft meaningful testimonials, you'll walk away ready to transform your approach to gathering social proof.

Through real stories from our own review journey (including a wedding with a particularly challenging mother-of-the-bride!), we share both the heartwarming impact of positive feedback and how to handle those inevitable not-so-glowing reviews with grace. You'll learn creative ways to showcase testimonials across platforms, turning each positive review into a tiny brand ambassador working on your behalf.

Ready to put these insights into action? We challenge you to reach out to three past customers this week and ask for reviews using the conversational approaches we've shared. Tag us on Instagram to share your experience and the responses you receive! Remember, every time someone shares their positive experience with your business, they're helping future customers feel confident choosing you—and that's a beautiful cycle worth nurturing.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz

Ever wonder how those stunning orchids end up in your local grocery store? This eye-opening conversation with Toine Overgaag, president of Westerlay Orchids, reveals the fascinating journey from Dutch immigrant orchid growers to building one of America's largest sustainable greenhouse operations.

When South American imports decimated the domestic rose industry, Tuan and his father made a pivotal decision to transition to orchids—plants that couldn't be easily shipped in from abroad. What started as a stopgap career move during the Y2K crisis blossomed into a passion and eventually an empire producing over 4 million orchids annually across 18 acres of glass greenhouses in California.

The conversation goes far beyond horticulture, delivering profound business wisdom about values-driven leadership and team building. Tuan shares how implementing core values of pride, responsibility, support, and continuous improvement transformed their company culture. He offers a particularly insightful observation about talented employees who don't align with company values being potentially destructive forces—a lesson applicable to businesses of any size.

Environmental sustainability emerges as a central theme, with Toine describing innovative dehumidification technology that reduces natural gas usage while improving plant health. These initiatives demonstrate how profitability and responsibility can work hand-in-hand rather than in opposition.

Whether you're a backyard grower with a single orchid on your windowsill or building your own flower business, this episode delivers practical wisdom about growing your passion into something sustainable and meaningful. As Toine says, reflecting on the best advice he's received: "Make decisions, or decisions will be made for you."

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlynativeflowerfarm/

Website: https://wildlynativeflowerfarm.com/

Hungry Root Code: FLOWER40
Hungry Root Link: https://www.hungryroot.com/?promo=FLOWER40&b=1084&utm_source=the-flower-files&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=podcast

Garden Goal Planner: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/gardenplanner

Cut-Flower Guide: https://wildlynative.myflodesk.com/oyihkn1nwz