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Send us Fan Mail We're rewinding back to an old episode: In this episode of The Fresh Bunch, we dive into the remarkable journey of the Sassen family—whose story began on a small carnation farm in the Netherlands in the 1960s and blossomed into one of the world’s most renowned floral brands. Marc Sassen, destined to be a grower from childhood, reflects on working alongside his mother and siblings and how those early days shaped the family’s boutique, art-driven approach to flowers. Though the brand has far outgrown the original farm, the Sassens continue to operate with the same hands-on craftsmanship and creative passion that set them apart. We unpack the origins of the VIP name, the evolution of the brand, and the deep family history behind it. Marc also shares how the next generation of Sassens is stepping in to carry the legacy forward. Plus, we explore the powerful partnership with Jet Fresh Growers—from the exclusive VIP Choco Roses to new innovations in VIP breeding. This episode is filled with insights on positivity, patience, creativity, and what it truly takes to bring something special to the floral world.

Send us Fan Mail On this week’s episode of The Fresh Bunch, we’re going from automotive to floral sales with Pam and Greg of Pryor Flowers in Oklahoma!  This amazing couple shares their journey from the automotive industry to owning their own flower shop, what it’s like building a business together, and the unique experience of doing business in the Cherokee Nation. We also talk about how Teleflora helps them capture sales, build customer loyalty, and keep customers coming back for more. And, of course, things get a little off track when Jimi and Greg’s bromance starts to unfold.  Tune in for a conversation full of business insights, relationship lessons, and plenty of laughs. Because sometimes the road from cars to flowers leads to something pretty special! Pryor Flowers

Send us Fan Mail On this week’s episode of The Fresh Bunch, we’re talking about the power of the customer experience and why making people feel special can set your business apart in a market full of options. Mike & Mimi kick things off with a little customer appreciation, including Mike’s unique way of “ducking” clients with rubber duckies tucked into their boxes.  Then, we chat with Sara from Flowers of Charlotte in North Carolina about turning DIY workshops into lasting customer relationships, repeat business, and even wedding and event clients. Plus, Mimi & Sara dive into winter weddings and the trends worth keeping an eye on. We also sit down with Suki from Say Suki to talk about building trust, aligning with clients, and creating relationships that go beyond the transaction. From surprises to meaningful connections, this episode is all about making every customer feel like your favorite. Products bring customers in. Connections & relationships bring them back. Flowers of Charlotte Say Suki JF Ducking

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Fresh Bunch, Jimi jumps on the mic for an on-the-road episode celebrating Petal It Forward! From industry stats and interviews to a long-distance call, Jimi the Tulip takes us along for a day dedicated to spreading smiles and sharing the power of flowers.  Mimi makes her debut as the Gerb Gal & formally pitches a Daffodil Doll Mascot.   Follow along as the Jet Fresh team brings Petal It Forward to UHealth Doral Medical Center for another year of connecting with our community, spreading joy, and raising awareness about the positive impact flowers can have. A special thank you to our partners at Esmeralda for helping us make it happen again! Give a bouquet. Get tons of smiles.

Send us Fan Mail This week, The Fresh Bunch is in Quito, Ecuador, for ExpoFlor! The team takes you along for the ride from our Jet Fresh Growers Open House to the aisles of this international floral expo We catch up with familiar faces and new friends to hear all about their floral week, explore the latest trends, sip matcha, and connect with our individual auras. Plus, Jet Fresh invited four Ecuadorian artists to reinterpret our iconic Rose Dude, inspired by the symbolism, creativity, and rich culture of Ecuador. We hear from three of the artists about their inspiration and the stories behind their designs. Want to see the incredible stand and meet the artists who helped bring Ecuadorian culture to life? Head over to the Jet Fresh Growers Instagram page for a closer look! Flowers, art, culture, and a little aura reading — we're keeping it fresh from Ecuador! https://www.instagram.com/jetfreshgrowers

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Fresh Bunch, Mike & Mimi sit down with Andy Arthur, aka @sourcedforyoubycommercedrew, and David Kaplan, aka Floradamus, for a candid conversation about the current state of the flower industry. Inspired by Drew’s social media post about fuel costs, tariffs, and the challenges impacting businesses across the industry—and David’s Wizard Wand Newsletter sharing many of the same concerns—we’re talking about the stuff that isn’t always easy to talk about. We dig into rising costs, the challenges facing the industry, loyalty to our partners, and how open communication can build trust and stronger relationships. We also talk about why an educated customer can be one of the best things for the industry. And of course… we talk about Drew’s legendary shirt collection. Because there are some things in the flower industry that simply cannot be ignored. Real talk, real industry issues, and a few laughs along the way. Follow Drew at @sourcedforyoubycommercedrew Join David’s Wizard Wand newsletter by emailing: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail The Fresh Bunch is on the road again! Mike is on his annual Canadian Farm-A-Thon and meets up with Mimi, Ty, Jason, and Greenie for a behind-the-scenes visit to Rosa Flora. The team gets a closer look at how Rosa Flora grows Gerberas, Lisianthus, Snapdragons, and more, while getting the inside story from Rosa Flora founder Otto, whose floral journey began back in 1978. We talk farming, branding, growth, progress, and what it really means to support the partners who help keep the flower industry moving. And, of course, Mike leaves us with some life advice; the three things you cant skimp on in life.

Send us Fan Mail Mimi is flying solo—and yes, the reporter blazer is back—for a very important October Events Preview! This week on The Fresh Bunch, Mimi rounds up the industry initiatives, events, and dates you need on your radar. She checks in with the Jet Fresh Marketing Team in Ecuador about two very different events happening in Ecuador, gets the scoop on Green Career Week and Petal It Forward, and welcomes a few guests who phone in with sneak peeks, experiences, and what to expect. It’s a short one, but it’s packed with dates, so open your calendar, grab a pen, and get ready for a very busy October!   Green Career Week - Oct 5-9 https://www.seedyourfuture.org/green-career-week   Jet Fresh Open House Oct 5 https://www.instagram.com/p/DcecQ9qG6W3/?hl=en   ExpoFlor Ecuador Oct 6-8 Expo Flor Ecuador | Ecuador flower show   Bloom Together Int. Oct 6 https://www.instagram.com/p/DdZMdv1lDlG/?hl=en&img_index=1   Petal it Forward - Oct 14 https://safnow.org/petalitforward/

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you combine event floristry, freelancing, social media transparency, and… a floral vending machine? On this episode of The Fresh Bunch, we’re talking with Olena Romanchuk, founder of Oro Gifts in New Jersey, about building a floral business that doesn’t exactly follow the traditional playbook. Olena shares how she started over after coming to the U.S. from Ukraine, learning a new language and building her business from the ground up. We dive into her unique mix of event work, freelancing and her 13-locker floral vending machine located in a high-traffic mall. This machine not only sells flowers but also introduces her business to thousands of potential customers. And she’s not stopping there. Olena has already ordered machine number two for New York City. She’s also created a 30-page “How to Start a Floral Vending Machine” guide, packed with pricing, sourcing, marketing ideas, real-world lessons, and the mistakes she wishes she knew before getting started. We talk entrepreneurship, being transparent on social media, thinking beyond the traditional flower shop, and finding creative ways to get your business in front of customers. Mike even throws a few ideas into the mix that might just make their way into the next version of Olena’s guide. No quarters required. This episode is packed with idea snacks for the entrepreneurial brain.   https://www.instagram.com/orogiftsnj/   Her guide can be found on her Etsy: FLOWER VENDING MACHINE (supplier & Real Cost Guide) - Etsy

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Fresh Bunch, we’re tackling a serious topic that every small business needs to hear: Business Email Compromise & Cyber Fraud. We’re joined by two full-time law enforcement professionals and an IT professional who knows the floral industry to talk about how these scams happen, what hackers are looking for, and—most importantly—how to protect your business. We cover everything from typosquatting and fake emails to backups, two-factor authentication, and hard passkeys. We also talk about something that doesn’t get discussed enough: the shame and embarrassment that can come with being a victim of fraud. And yes, hackers love the holidays. We talk about why they target businesses when teams are busy, distracted, or short-staffed—and why you should be extra careful this Labor Day weekend. The biggest takeaway? Don’t stay quiet. Report fraud, talk to your team, and train everyone to recognize the warning signs. Because when it comes to cyber fraud, staying informed could save your business.   You can reach Joe Aldeguer on the SAF website: safnow.org Jason Fox, Risk Management Consultant, [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Fresh Bunch, we’re talking flowers, clay, creativity, and the journey that led Sullivan Owen from being a florist to creating a line of limited-edition porcelain vases made right here in the USA. After running her floral business for 11 years, COVID gave Sullivan the unexpected opportunity to take a class at The Clay Studio—and one slip-casting class changed everything. Inspired to create vessels designed with flowers in mind, Sullivan shares why she chooses to produce her vases in the U.S. and support the talented people behind the production process. We also talk about her trip to Holland, seeing lilacs growing firsthand, and how that experience gave her a whole new understanding of the pricing and value of flowers. Sullivan shares her design process, her best-selling pieces, and what happened when Wirecutter featured her vases and the orders suddenly came pouring in. Ryan is definitely in his element for this one. Inspired by fabric and Organic Movement, the vessels are designed for any bunch of flowers to fall perfectly in place.  The perfect high-end gift for those who love flowers, or an item for florists to add to their gift items for sale.   Tune in for a conversation about flowers, design, handmade vessels, and what happens when one creative path leads to another.  https://sullivanowen.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sullivan_owen

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Fresh Bunch, we’re joined by Melanie Rauscher and Michelle Sullivan, best friends and the innovative co-founders behind FleurSpace—an innovative platform designed to cultivate a more connected, collaborative floral industry. From Melanie’s journey as an award-winning master florist with deep family roots to Michelle’s inspiring background as a photographer, author, and purpose-driven advocate, the duo shares the spark that brought them together to reshape how the flower community connects. We get real about the highs and lows of tech entrepreneurship and small business ownership. Melanie and Michelle open up about the genuine struggles of building a new website and app from the ground up, navigating the learning curves of a startup, and the unique dynamics, communication rhythms, and fun of building a dream company alongside your best friend. Finally, we dive into how FleurSpace is solving major logistical headaches for freelancers, destination designers, studio owners, and wholesalers alike. Discover how their platform is opening doors for shared creative spaces, global collaboration, and community mentorship—empowering florists everywhere to scale without the stress. Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about friendship, community-building, and the future of floral networking! Learn more at https://www.fleur-space.com/

Send us Fan Mail This week on The Fresh Bunch, we’re joined by Amy Balsters, The Floral Coach®—award-winning floral designer, educator, and one of the industry’s leading voices in helping florists better understand the why behind great design. Amy takes us through her journey in flowers, from learning the fundamentals of floral design to building a career focused on educating and empowering other designers. We talk about Bouquet Bootcamp®, her online floral education program designed to help florists strengthen their bouquet-making skills, build confidence, and become better, more intentional designers. We also get into a side of floristry that doesn’t get talked about enough: the physical toll of the job. Back pain, sore hands, long hours on your feet, repetitive movements—flowers may be beautiful, but the work behind them can be brutal on the body. We dive into color theory and why understanding color can completely change the way you design, the importance of continuing education at every stage of your career, and Amy’s experiences teaching and connecting with florists around the country. We also talk her workshop and presentation at CalFlowers, the Virginia Fine Arts & Flowers show, and, naturally, the important stuff—In-N-Out Burger. It’s a fun, insightful conversation about creativity, longevity, education, and what it really takes to build a sustainable life in flowers. Learn more at https://thefloralcoach.com/

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Fresh Bunch, we sit down with the effortlessly charming Canaan Marshall—the floral designer bringing vibrant energy, warmth, and floral flair to the flower world. From growing up with a natural knack for all things green to transforming everyday spaces into elegant masterpieces across Macon and Atlanta, Canaan shares how he turned a lifelong passion into a standout career featured in Southern Living and Flower Magazine. We dive deep into his journey on the national stage, reflecting on his time competing in Season 2 of HBO Max’s Full Bloom and designing for high-profile events like the prestigious NYBG Orchid Dinner. Canaan breaks down how fashion, fine art, and architecture fuel his creative process, and how he channels those inspirations into high-impact event designs, breathtaking bridal bouquets, and over-the-top mantels. Plus, Canaan brings his signature "Place it, and move on" philosophy directly to our listeners. He shares practical encouragement for aspiring designers, revealing why floral arranging should be fun, intuitive, and filled with love rather than stress. Tune in for a fun, lively conversation packed with creative inspiration, behind-the-scenes stories, and the infectious energy that makes every day feel like a celebration! Learn more at https://www.canaanmarshall.com/

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to create one of the floral industry's most anticipated events? This week on The Fresh Bunch, we sit down with Monnaie Pepin, Lisa Fillice, and Cagney Miller from CalFlowers to pull back the curtain on Fun 'N Sun.  From the history of CalFlowers and the value of membership to the challenge of building an event that keeps people coming back, the trio shares what goes into blending education, networking, entertainment, and business into one unforgettable experience.  We also swap event-planning stories, reminisce about favorite Fun 'N Sun moments, share who deserves credit for the legendary In-N-Out Burger truck, and get a sneak peek at what attendees can expect this year.  Whether you're a longtime Fun 'N Sun fan or thinking about attending for the first time, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, laughs, and plenty of reasons to add this event to your calendar. Learn more at: https://www.cafgs.org/fns2026 Contact Monnaie for questions on the event:  [email protected]