1 00:01:44,667 --> 00:01:45,807 jeni: Hello Flower friend. 2 00:01:45,807 --> 00:01:48,987 This is Jen and you are listening to the Floral Hustle podcast. 3 00:01:49,407 --> 00:01:56,997 I am so excited to talk about something about making 2023 a more intentional year. 4 00:01:57,477 --> 00:02:01,047 We're gonna talk about today, five things to start right now. 5 00:02:01,707 --> 00:02:07,437 To help make your 2023 wedding season a less stressful, a stress less 6 00:02:07,677 --> 00:02:13,797 wedding season, and a lot of those things need to start today because if 7 00:02:13,797 --> 00:02:20,157 you keep going and keep this momentum potentially of where you're at right now. 8 00:02:20,697 --> 00:02:27,117 Next year could end up to be very stressful, very hard, unless you put 9 00:02:27,147 --> 00:02:33,027 some boundaries in place, some rhythms in place to help make it less stressful. 10 00:02:33,267 --> 00:02:35,847 We control our stress. 11 00:02:35,847 --> 00:02:41,907 We can make choices to make sure that we are less stressed down the road. 12 00:02:42,297 --> 00:02:46,707 So five things for a Stressless 2023 wedding season. 13 00:02:46,707 --> 00:02:48,837 First thing, you need to schedule time. 14 00:02:49,932 --> 00:02:52,692 You literally need to go in your calendar. 15 00:02:52,692 --> 00:02:57,882 If you ha have weddings, if you have birthdays, if you have whatever it may 16 00:02:57,882 --> 00:03:02,082 be, go in there and mark some time off. 17 00:03:02,532 --> 00:03:06,522 And if you get an inquiry for that, you are simply unavailable. 18 00:03:06,882 --> 00:03:09,402 And that is a really hard thing to do for some. 19 00:03:10,122 --> 00:03:14,802 But not having that time off is gonna make you. 20 00:03:15,477 --> 00:03:20,667 Resentful of your schedule, it's going to make you feel out of control like that. 21 00:03:20,667 --> 00:03:23,187 You are not controlling your days. 22 00:03:23,997 --> 00:03:28,317 And I literally have seen some of my flower friends that have done this, 23 00:03:28,827 --> 00:03:30,927 like they just look less stressed. 24 00:03:30,987 --> 00:03:33,807 They can be with their family, they can. 25 00:03:34,267 --> 00:03:38,737 Enjoy life, which is the whole reason why we're doing this, is 26 00:03:38,737 --> 00:03:41,737 we want to have those moments. 27 00:03:41,767 --> 00:03:44,587 Because if we're working all the time, does any of the 28 00:03:44,587 --> 00:03:46,027 other moments really matter? 29 00:03:46,657 --> 00:03:51,667 So go in, look at your calendar, look at all the dates that you already have 30 00:03:51,672 --> 00:03:57,877 booked, and book time in for yourself, for your family, for whatever it may be. 31 00:04:00,387 --> 00:04:04,347 . A lot of people don't seem to do this very well because I've seen so many 32 00:04:04,567 --> 00:04:08,967 Flos with their head spinning, looking for stuff in the heart of wedding 33 00:04:08,972 --> 00:04:11,967 season is start sourcing supplies now. 34 00:04:12,477 --> 00:04:16,497 And I know it's a cost and I know that you know the money isn't coming 35 00:04:16,502 --> 00:04:18,027 in if you're like in Minnesota. 36 00:04:18,027 --> 00:04:20,847 Wedding season has really slowed down. 37 00:04:22,032 --> 00:04:28,122 But you are going to save yourself so much headache by strategically finding 38 00:04:28,302 --> 00:04:30,182 supplies that you know you're going to. 39 00:04:31,272 --> 00:04:35,857 This could be lomi dishes, this could be floral glue. 40 00:04:36,397 --> 00:04:40,327 It could be cylinder bases, it could be floating candles. 41 00:04:40,867 --> 00:04:44,347 All of the different things that you use on a regular basis. 42 00:04:44,407 --> 00:04:50,947 I would try to get a stock of those items so you are not dealing with 43 00:04:51,157 --> 00:04:55,447 panic when those items potentially aren't available next year. 44 00:04:56,077 --> 00:05:01,507 I witnessed so many florist in Facebook groups and at the wholesaler 45 00:05:01,507 --> 00:05:06,157 literally in panic mode for not having floral glue this year for not being 46 00:05:06,157 --> 00:05:07,957 able to get loy dishes this year. 47 00:05:08,009 --> 00:05:12,449 The three brick oasis trays or the two brick oasis trays, like 48 00:05:12,449 --> 00:05:14,279 those were out for, and people. 49 00:05:14,574 --> 00:05:17,893 , they were just struggling with ground installations a florist center. 50 00:05:17,893 --> 00:05:21,493 Our area was literally trying to find like 27 little one foot 51 00:05:21,493 --> 00:05:23,563 trays, and luckily I had them. 52 00:05:23,953 --> 00:05:29,593 And we have a group in Minnesota that helps us source things from 53 00:05:29,598 --> 00:05:33,673 other florist friends and communicate and just ask anybody if they 54 00:05:33,678 --> 00:05:35,023 can borrow something, et cetera. 55 00:05:35,023 --> 00:05:38,383 So we have at least that to help as a backup. 56 00:05:38,773 --> 00:05:40,213 But not everybody has that. 57 00:05:41,028 --> 00:05:46,938 Get your A game on, get your planning game on to really get ahead, get 58 00:05:46,938 --> 00:05:49,578 it done by the end of the year if you want the tax deduction for this 59 00:05:49,578 --> 00:05:51,318 year, cuz that is always helpful. 60 00:05:52,098 --> 00:06:01,308 And then really going into the year number three is mapping out your goals when you 61 00:06:01,308 --> 00:06:07,108 don't map out your goals or start planning like what you want a year to look. 62 00:06:07,743 --> 00:06:12,633 You are just wandering around with really no purpose, nowhere that 63 00:06:12,863 --> 00:06:16,713 you're headed because you're just kind of wandering around aimlessly 64 00:06:17,073 --> 00:06:19,143 with no intention in your business. 65 00:06:19,833 --> 00:06:23,733 So sit down, I'll explain a thing that I think is super helpful. 66 00:06:23,733 --> 00:06:29,471 It's called a c e o Day, and literally take, you are the c e o of your business. 67 00:06:29,471 --> 00:06:30,791 Take a day. 68 00:06:31,556 --> 00:06:34,106 Because you deserve to be able to take the space. 69 00:06:34,106 --> 00:06:40,586 To take a day to plan out on a quarterly basis would be best, but plan out 70 00:06:40,586 --> 00:06:42,166 what you want your business to be. 71 00:06:42,941 --> 00:06:46,961 Look at things from afar, like your analytics on your website, 72 00:06:46,961 --> 00:06:49,271 your analytics for your Instagram. 73 00:06:49,601 --> 00:06:50,921 Are things working? 74 00:06:51,311 --> 00:06:53,111 Are they kind of working? 75 00:06:53,411 --> 00:06:54,831 Should you tweak something? 76 00:06:54,831 --> 00:06:58,384 You revisit things that you've seen other flos do that you would 77 00:06:58,389 --> 00:07:01,744 love to implement in your own strategies, and then go from there. 78 00:07:01,954 --> 00:07:06,182 So like you have a foundation of I know where my business is at. 79 00:07:07,107 --> 00:07:11,432 and then take that and plan because then you are chasing 80 00:07:11,432 --> 00:07:13,682 a goal, chasing a dream, not. 81 00:07:15,242 --> 00:07:18,482 Like having no intention, having, having no vision. 82 00:07:19,142 --> 00:07:23,822 And with that vision, you will feel more purpose. 83 00:07:23,822 --> 00:07:27,962 You will feel like you are accomplishing more when you get those goals. 84 00:07:28,142 --> 00:07:32,642 Make a vision board of what you want your floor, your floral, um, 85 00:07:32,732 --> 00:07:35,372 whole world to look like in 2023. 86 00:07:35,372 --> 00:07:39,872 I, I know one florist that literally makes it a goal to have a wedding 87 00:07:39,872 --> 00:07:41,072 at a certain wedding venue. 88 00:07:42,687 --> 00:07:47,732 or a, they love this inspirational palette and so they, they make that a goal. 89 00:07:48,242 --> 00:07:51,122 I want to do a wedding like this and I'm going to find a bride. 90 00:07:51,122 --> 00:07:58,052 Because when you speak out or write down a goal, it is so much more likely 91 00:07:58,082 --> 00:08:02,282 to become true because you are putting it out there in the universe that 92 00:08:02,732 --> 00:08:09,272 I want to do this and I mentally, when I do that, I feel more committ. 93 00:08:09,942 --> 00:08:13,502 and when you're more committed, you are going to have a little 94 00:08:13,502 --> 00:08:16,952 bit more hustle, a little bit more grind, a little bit more intention 95 00:08:17,282 --> 00:08:19,112 in every single thing that you do. 96 00:08:19,352 --> 00:08:22,592 Is this helping me get closer or farther away from my goal? 97 00:08:23,162 --> 00:08:29,582 Which I think is a critical component of really mastering every single task that 98 00:08:29,582 --> 00:08:32,252 you do because so many people spend time. 99 00:08:33,167 --> 00:08:36,707 On tasks that aren't getting you towards where you wanna go. 100 00:08:36,857 --> 00:08:40,517 So definitely do a goal planning session. 101 00:08:40,517 --> 00:08:42,707 Do a c e O day, you deserve it. 102 00:08:43,517 --> 00:08:47,837 Then evaluating your pricing and adjusting in accordingly. 103 00:08:48,077 --> 00:08:53,293 Doing it right now, flowers are going to just, that's how the world works. 104 00:08:53,323 --> 00:08:55,003 Flowers are going to be more expensive next. 105 00:08:56,638 --> 00:09:01,708 You can of course, source and build that whole plan, but you need 106 00:09:01,708 --> 00:09:04,108 to look at your pricing and make sure your pricing is going to be 107 00:09:04,108 --> 00:09:05,728 in line so you can be profitable. 108 00:09:05,728 --> 00:09:08,458 Because when you're working your butt off and you're not 109 00:09:08,458 --> 00:09:10,618 profitable, you become resentful. 110 00:09:10,618 --> 00:09:13,962 You become I've been there like, you're like, why am I doing this? 111 00:09:14,422 --> 00:09:15,532 I'm not making any money. 112 00:09:15,532 --> 00:09:16,762 I'm working my ass off. 113 00:09:17,592 --> 00:09:23,827 and you deserve to make money that is impactful in your life. 114 00:09:24,637 --> 00:09:29,077 And when I made that decision, that I deserve to make money that's impactful 115 00:09:29,077 --> 00:09:34,447 for my family, impactful for me, that is worth me not being with my children. 116 00:09:34,777 --> 00:09:39,307 Even though I do think not work, working BA basically makes me a better mom 117 00:09:39,697 --> 00:09:43,955 because I have that creative outlet, that creative space that it's almost 118 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:47,765 critical for me to have just that little bit of pause and that little bit of drive 119 00:09:47,855 --> 00:09:50,445 going towards something otherwise, I. 120 00:09:50,445 --> 00:09:54,810 I'm overwhelmed because I'm just in kid land all the time. 121 00:09:54,810 --> 00:10:00,420 I, my, my mind personally needs a break and so making sure it's worth it for 122 00:10:00,420 --> 00:10:05,688 me to be paying someone to help the children or to be watching the children. 123 00:10:06,733 --> 00:10:08,543 Is definitely an equation for me. 124 00:10:08,543 --> 00:10:10,313 I don't know if that's an equation for you. 125 00:10:10,313 --> 00:10:12,503 I often have them working with me. 126 00:10:12,503 --> 00:10:17,783 I have a whole setup that has an and a desk and you know, all the, the different 127 00:10:17,783 --> 00:10:21,443 things that they can play with out here, a train set, all the super fun things. 128 00:10:21,983 --> 00:10:26,453 But I still sometimes just frankly, need to have childcare and there's cost 129 00:10:26,453 --> 00:10:28,313 associated with, so making sure it. 130 00:10:29,323 --> 00:10:33,523 Undeniably worth it to pay for that childcare to come in and 131 00:10:33,793 --> 00:10:37,363 be with your children when you are working or your spouse. 132 00:10:37,363 --> 00:10:42,133 And then that mental energy that is, uh, going out of your spouse, 133 00:10:42,133 --> 00:10:43,333 you need to make sure it's worth it. 134 00:10:43,338 --> 00:10:46,003 So make sure you're making enough money. 135 00:10:46,903 --> 00:10:53,503 And then the next thing, again, goes back to scheduling, is practice saying. 136 00:10:54,858 --> 00:10:56,668 Don't overbook yourself. 137 00:10:57,558 --> 00:11:03,498 I literally have done nine weddings in one weekend and a funeral, and it was a large 138 00:11:03,498 --> 00:11:10,398 funeral, nine weddings in one weekend, and I see Flores, I don't do that anymore. 139 00:11:10,518 --> 00:11:14,748 I have done some bigger weddings, like a huge wedding, and then had like a smaller, 140 00:11:14,753 --> 00:11:17,448 medium size wedding in that same weekend. 141 00:11:18,578 --> 00:11:22,970 , but I won't do like that I'm running all over because that's just not the 142 00:11:22,970 --> 00:11:25,280 space of frenzy that I want to live in. 143 00:11:26,330 --> 00:11:29,480 And then I'm making sure that I have obviously the support. 144 00:11:30,185 --> 00:11:33,275 To pull off those weddings because I can't do it all myself. 145 00:11:33,275 --> 00:11:37,475 So when you overbook, you overbook everybody, not just you. 146 00:11:37,805 --> 00:11:41,555 You're overbooking your freelancers that are going to be with you because 147 00:11:41,555 --> 00:11:44,265 everybody is going to feel stressed out. 148 00:11:45,275 --> 00:11:47,525 They're gonna feel the tension that this is a. 149 00:11:48,555 --> 00:11:55,205 A tough week, they're gonna feel like the icky energy potentially, that you're 150 00:11:55,205 --> 00:11:58,685 just, you're running around with your head cut off and you look like a shit 151 00:11:58,685 --> 00:12:02,555 show, and you want to create environments. 152 00:12:02,945 --> 00:12:11,085 For your freelancers that are cultivating, good energy positivity, not like we 153 00:12:11,090 --> 00:12:12,945 don't even, we're running outta buckets. 154 00:12:13,095 --> 00:12:15,825 We don't even have space for some of these things. 155 00:12:16,125 --> 00:12:20,445 So look at your calendar and when you go into the practice that I don't 156 00:12:20,445 --> 00:12:24,375 want to overbook myself, you're going to be a little bit more strategic 157 00:12:24,380 --> 00:12:27,855 about the weddings that you choose because you're not just choosing. 158 00:12:29,145 --> 00:12:32,835 You are choosing strategically, weddings that are going to be profitable, 159 00:12:33,405 --> 00:12:37,545 weddings that are going to bring you cre, creatively fill your cup 160 00:12:37,545 --> 00:12:40,663 up and that it's a good decision. 161 00:12:40,813 --> 00:12:43,663 You're not gonna be making bad wedding decisions cuz a lot of 162 00:12:43,663 --> 00:12:45,073 those bad wedding decisions are. 163 00:12:45,463 --> 00:12:48,043 The bride was not your speed. 164 00:12:48,043 --> 00:12:49,423 The couple was not your speed. 165 00:12:49,423 --> 00:12:51,463 The mother of the bride was not your speed. 166 00:12:51,853 --> 00:12:53,623 Like they just seemed really difficult. 167 00:12:53,623 --> 00:12:56,953 They just seemed all these complicated. 168 00:12:57,463 --> 00:12:59,413 Issues around their wedding. 169 00:13:00,073 --> 00:13:03,313 Like when I have somebody that's in their inquiry telling me that they 170 00:13:03,313 --> 00:13:04,963 wanna repurpose a million things. 171 00:13:06,043 --> 00:13:08,713 I can tell that this is probably going to be a pain in the ass, and 172 00:13:08,713 --> 00:13:11,623 this might not be a wedding that I wanna do because it's going to 173 00:13:11,623 --> 00:13:13,873 be me there three different times. 174 00:13:14,563 --> 00:13:18,223 I personally love to have the majority of my installations for that wedding 175 00:13:18,223 --> 00:13:21,913 done before I even arrive on site and get in, get out, get everything 176 00:13:21,913 --> 00:13:24,013 done, and get enjoying my life. 177 00:13:24,553 --> 00:13:29,863 Because the weekends are when my kids don't have school or my husband 178 00:13:29,868 --> 00:13:34,333 isn't working, and I'd rather be with my family and minimize that time 179 00:13:34,603 --> 00:13:36,283 that I'm outta the house that day. 180 00:13:36,583 --> 00:13:39,283 Sometimes it just happens that you need to be there for a flip. 181 00:13:40,033 --> 00:13:41,653 You need to be there for a tear down. 182 00:13:42,253 --> 00:13:44,953 I personally try to find someone to do the tear down. 183 00:13:44,953 --> 00:13:48,613 Cause I just think that, you know, if somebody else is happy to do it and I 184 00:13:48,618 --> 00:13:53,473 pay them accordingly and it's worth it to them, then I don't mind doing that. 185 00:13:53,473 --> 00:13:56,503 It makes my life a lot easier and it makes me, I. 186 00:13:57,223 --> 00:14:02,143 Less choosy about doing a larger wedding or doing a bigger wedding that needs a 187 00:14:02,143 --> 00:14:05,953 tear down because I have someone that can just take care of that and so I don't 188 00:14:05,953 --> 00:14:09,528 need to be leaving at midnight or whatever it is to go and tear down a wedding. 189 00:14:09,528 --> 00:14:13,788 So having those things in place really helps you make sure 190 00:14:13,788 --> 00:14:18,258 that you're not overbooking or just overextending yourself. 191 00:14:19,038 --> 00:14:24,708 I know making money is important and being able to pay your bills is important. 192 00:14:26,343 --> 00:14:31,473 If you overbook yourself, you're doing a detriment to your finances as well, 193 00:14:31,773 --> 00:14:34,893 because when that inquiry comes in for that wedding, you're not gonna 194 00:14:34,893 --> 00:14:36,663 be responding it to the to that week. 195 00:14:37,683 --> 00:14:40,353 You are going to be dropping the ball with some current clients. 196 00:14:41,013 --> 00:14:44,163 You are going to not be providing the experience that I'm guessing 197 00:14:44,163 --> 00:14:47,673 that you want to provide because you're just so stretched thin. 198 00:14:48,063 --> 00:14:49,143 And that's not only that. 199 00:14:50,703 --> 00:14:53,733 When you get a lot of this, you are running in a panic 200 00:14:53,733 --> 00:14:55,803 mode of planning all the time. 201 00:14:56,223 --> 00:15:01,503 You're running in a frenzy, you're running a, a running thin. 202 00:15:01,533 --> 00:15:05,913 You know, you just, I I I call it, I'm drowning here and you're describing 203 00:15:05,913 --> 00:15:09,333 the water a anytime that anybody talks to you about any wedding, cuz 204 00:15:09,333 --> 00:15:15,708 you're just like, so, Exhausted and the week has not all even began. 205 00:15:15,798 --> 00:15:18,738 So you deserve space. 206 00:15:18,918 --> 00:15:24,678 You deserve to have time to actually enjoy being a florist. 207 00:15:24,948 --> 00:15:29,538 That is one really hard thing for me personally, and one of my 208 00:15:29,543 --> 00:15:32,038 freelancers that I just absolutely adore has said this to me. 209 00:15:32,823 --> 00:15:35,613 Jenny, stop and enjoy your wedding. 210 00:15:36,003 --> 00:15:37,593 Look at how beautiful it is. 211 00:15:37,863 --> 00:15:42,093 Look at how, and it is true because I wanna get in there and 212 00:15:42,093 --> 00:15:43,473 get out and get to my family. 213 00:15:43,473 --> 00:15:48,033 So that is something that when you overbook yourself, especially, you 214 00:15:48,033 --> 00:15:52,503 have no time to enjoy your creativity and like to look at what you did. 215 00:15:52,893 --> 00:15:58,123 And for one, Take photos and videos so that you have social media content. 216 00:15:58,123 --> 00:16:03,103 When you are overbooked, you are dropping the ball on all of those things normally 217 00:16:03,253 --> 00:16:05,323 because you just don't have the capacity. 218 00:16:06,013 --> 00:16:07,543 Social media can wait. 219 00:16:08,983 --> 00:16:11,743 The client that emailed me an inquiry can wait. 220 00:16:13,093 --> 00:16:20,263 They deserve your attention and I think that really just being 221 00:16:20,263 --> 00:16:22,303 intentional and when you see that. 222 00:16:23,253 --> 00:16:28,743 Have a whole drafted, I'm sorry, but I'm not available 223 00:16:29,853 --> 00:16:31,263 because how can somebody argue? 224 00:16:31,268 --> 00:16:33,843 I've actually had someone argue it was a family that I've done 225 00:16:34,233 --> 00:16:37,053 multiple weddings and I was like not wanting to do another wedding 226 00:16:37,053 --> 00:16:38,593 because they're kind of crazy people. 227 00:16:38,653 --> 00:16:43,902 But have that script, have that email already drafted in your, Google driving 228 00:16:43,902 --> 00:16:48,372 a note or in your notes app of your phone so you can just cut and paste it. 229 00:16:48,372 --> 00:16:53,142 And so you're not having to mentally struggle every time that I have 230 00:16:53,142 --> 00:16:54,882 to say no to this wedding again. 231 00:16:54,887 --> 00:16:56,592 And it's just, ugh. 232 00:16:56,622 --> 00:16:59,742 Cuz then you're like, am I not gonna be hitting my goals? 233 00:16:59,742 --> 00:17:01,272 Am I not gonna be making the money? 234 00:17:01,542 --> 00:17:06,312 You will make the money that you deserve and that your business. 235 00:17:06,852 --> 00:17:08,202 Is entitled to. 236 00:17:08,742 --> 00:17:11,802 By creating that space, you will elevate your business. 237 00:17:11,802 --> 00:17:15,762 You will elevate your experience and you will command more. 238 00:17:16,332 --> 00:17:21,042 Of a investment from a bride or couple because you're, you're worth it 239 00:17:21,132 --> 00:17:22,812 because you provide that experience. 240 00:17:22,902 --> 00:17:29,395 So those are quick five things to do to make 2023 feel lighter and more aligned. 241 00:17:29,905 --> 00:17:32,515 And I really hope that you're going into next year, cuz 242 00:17:32,515 --> 00:17:33,985 next year isn't that far away. 243 00:17:34,265 --> 00:17:38,405 It's not here already with some intentional practices that you can 244 00:17:38,405 --> 00:17:40,775 feel better going into next year. 245 00:17:40,955 --> 00:17:45,125 You can feel better while you're in that wedding week because I truly believe 246 00:17:45,125 --> 00:17:47,465 that starts now and I hope you do too. 247 00:17:47,795 --> 00:17:49,685 Thank you so much for listening, flower Friend. 248 00:17:49,685 --> 00:17:54,035 I so appreciate you and I hope you are having a great flower week.