Podcasts about urbanstems

This week on the ReBloom Podcast, we're joined by Calvert Crary—owner of FlowerSchool, internationally recognized master educator, and author of Flower School: A Practical Guide to the Art of Flower Arranging and The Encyclopedia of Cut Flowers.Calvert began his career as a lifestyle and fashion photographer before making a bold pivot into floral design in 2006. Since then, he has launched and led three successful flower businesses in New York City and become a trusted mentor to thousands of aspiring floral professionals around the world. Through immersive travel programs and hands-on workshops, Calvert shares his deep expertise, creative vision, and sharp business insight with a global community.In this episode, Calvert shares his journey of reinvention, how he blends artistry with entrepreneurship, and what it takes to thrive in the floral industry today. Whether you're a budding creative or a seasoned designer, this conversation is sure to leave you blooming with inspiration.Website: https://www.flowerschoolny.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerschoolnyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwB8T0u_YX94aKuZTPjIvkgThank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.

Navah Perlman Frost's journey from renowned concert pianist to a brilliant baker and cake artist is a story of passion, resilience, and creativity. Navah built an impressive career performing on some of the world's most prestigious stages. Her deep connection to music took her across the globe, where she also developed a love for local cuisines and bakeries.When the pandemic put concerts on hold, Navah embraced a new form of artistry—baking. A self-taught baker, she turned her love of food into Frosted by Navah, a thriving cake business in New York City. What began as a creative escape soon became a sensation, with her botanical buttercream cakes and cupcakes captivating food lovers everywhere.Tune in to the ReBloom Podcast to hear how Navah transformed her artistry from music to baking, proving that creativity knows no limits. Listen now!Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/frostedbynavah/Cake Order Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBef58N-gXakHMreCJwoH796LPHaHpaL4eUtiyHcA6qFXWkg/viewformThank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.

Annie Sloan is one of the most influential figures in interior design and decorative painting. An artist, inventor, educator, and entrepreneur, she has spent over three decades helping people rediscover creativity and self-expression—making the world more colorful, one brushstroke at a time.In 1990, Annie revolutionized the DIY world with her invention of Chalk Paint™—a versatile, fast-drying paint that adheres to almost any surface without sanding or priming. It gave people permission to be bold, to transform old furniture, and to embrace creative freedom.Today, Annie Sloan Interiors remains a family-run business based in Oxford, England, where Annie continues to lead with heart and innovation. Her line now includes richly pigmented Wall Paint and Annie Sloan Satin Paint for smooth, soft-sheen finishes on wood and metal.Author of 27 books and a global authority on design, Annie's work is rooted in art history and shaped by global decorative traditions. In 2023, she was awarded a CBE for her outstanding contributions to interior design.But Annie's legacy is about more than accolades—it's about empowerment. She believes everyone can reclaim their creativity and make sustainable choices that bring new life to their homes.We're thrilled to welcome Annie Sloan to the ReBloom Podcast. Listen in as we explore her inspiring journey—and why she believes everyone can find their own authentic path.Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.Website: www.anniesloan.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/anniesloanhome/Books: https://www.anniesloan.com/products/books/

Gayle Kabaker is an award-winning illustrator, writer, and visual storyteller whose work celebrates femininity and beauty in all forms. After graduating from the Academy of Art in San Francisco, she began as a freelance fashion illustrator, setting the stage for her artistic evolution.Her career took a pivotal turn in 2012 when her piece June Brides became the first of ten New Yorker covers, celebrating marriage equality. She later painted 100 portraits for Vital Voices: 100 Women Using Their Power to Empower, featured in a book and an exhibition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.During the pandemic, Gayle documented her experience through The Washington Post column Sketching My Way Through Crisis, showcasing the therapeutic power of a sketchbook practice. More recently, she painted her way around Australia in a collaboration with Condé Nast Traveler and The New Yorker for Tourism Australia.A dedicated educator, Gayle teaches workshops globally with her teaching partner Jennifer Orkin Lewis and shares her work through her online shop (gkabaker.com). Her original cover art is currently featured in a New York City exhibition celebrating 100 years of The New Yorker covers, marking yet another milestone in her ever-evolving creative journey.Tune in to the ReBloom Podcast as we share Gayle's incredible art journey!Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.Website: https://gkabaker.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaylekabakerConde Nast Traveler:https://www.cntraveler.com/sponsored/story/where-to-go-and-what-to-do-on-your-next-australian-vacation

With Mother's Day approaching, folks are sure to be on the hunt for their flowers to gift, but tariffs may just impact which blooms end up in your bouquet. UrbanStems CEO Meenakshi Lala joins Liz Claman to scent the room with the sweet smell of tariff education so you can better understand how an international flower business works and how her company is wisely navigating the tariff landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the world of art and creativity, there are moments when we must pause, reflect, and rediscover ourselves. That's exactly what Lori Siebert and Jamie Jamison have done with their inspiring podcast, Rebloom. Now in its second season, the show has blossomed into a space for deep conversations about personal growth, resilience, and the creative journey.Recently, Lori and Jamie took time to reflect on their first year of Rebloom, sharing how they've evolved, embraced change, and found new inspiration along the way. Their discussion was a beautiful reminder that, like nature, artists experience seasons—some full of vibrant creativity and others requiring rest and renewal.As the Rebloom Podcast enters its second season, Lori and Jamie are excited to continue diving into meaningful conversations about creativity, personal growth, and embracing life's transitions. They aim to inspire listeners to rediscover their passions, explore new possibilities, and, most importantly, give themselves permission to evolve. Whether you're an artist, a creative entrepreneur, or simply someone navigating a season of change, Rebloom offers a refreshing perspective on how to cultivate beauty and meaning in your life.Follow along as Lori and Jamie continue to share their journey, inspiring others to bloom in their own way—again and again. You can tune in to the Rebloom.Podcast on your favorite podcast platform and follow Lori Siebert and Jamie Jamison on social media to see their latest creative work.Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.ReBloom Website: https://rebloompodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebloom.podcast/Live Courageously ReBloom Retreat: https://tickets.madtixevents.com/e/livecourageouslyrebloom-may2025Lori SiebertWebsite: https://lorisiebert.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorisiebert.studio/Jamie JamisonWebsite: https://alajamie.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alajamie/

Dionne Woods, the creative force behind The Turquoise Iris, is a passionate Motivatarian who inspires others with her boundless creativity and infectious joy. As an artist, mentor, and community builder, her fearless journey has transformed humble beginnings in hand-painted furniture into a dynamic array of canvas art, wearable pieces, heirloom journals, and luxurious velvet fabrics—all imbued with her signature storytelling and vibrant energy.At the heart of her work is an unwavering commitment to empowering others on their creative journeys. By championing her four pillars—Creativity, Connection, Confidence, and Curiosity—Dionne guides artists and entrepreneurs in crafting lives and businesses that reflect their true passion and purpose. As the founder of The Turquoise Iris Journal, a celebrated print publication spotlighting inspiring artists and their stories, she has built thriving communities through membership groups, coaching programs, retreats, and her engaging podcast.Whether painting, teaching, or speaking, Dionne remains dedicated to inspiring others to create boldly, connect deeply, and fully embrace their artistic potential. This is a conversation between great friends who connected through creating and sharing their joy.Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.

Meaghan Murphy – Spreading Joy, One YAY at a TimeSome people have a rare gift—the ability to lift spirits, brighten a room, and turn even the smallest moments into celebrations. Meaghan B. Murphy is one of those people. A true powerhouse of positivity, she embodies her YAY lifestyle, making it her mission to help others find joy in the everyday.As the Editor-in-Chief of Woman's Day and former Executive Editor of Good Housekeeping, Meaghan has spent years shaping content that uplifts, inspires, and empowers. She's also the author of Your Fully Charged Life, a book that Oprah Daily calls one that “will make you feel good at the turn of every page.” Whether she's sharing practical advice on TODAY or Live with Kelly & Mark, hosting her feel-good reality show My Perfect Day, or simply being the Chief Spirit Officer of her New Jersey hometown (yes, that's a real title!), Meaghan is on a mission to infuse the world with contagious enthusiasm.But her story is about more than just positivity—it's about resilience. A breast cancer previvor, Meaghan has faced life's challenges with the same energy and optimism that define her career. She knows firsthand that choosing joy is an act of strength, and she's built a life and career, proving that small mindset shifts can lead to big transformations.On the ReBloom Podcast, Meaghan shares how she transformed her zest for life into a thriving career, navigates challenges with humor and heart, and why she believes in embracing a fully charged life. Get ready for an inspiring conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and plenty of YAY moments!Website: www.meaghanbmurphy.comInstagram: @meaghanbmurphy@theyaylistThank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.

Kaari Meng's design journey began in 1992 when, in search of a simple hat pin, she created a collection of vintage-inspired jewelry using antique glass beads and buttons. She presented her designs at Bergdorf Goodman's open-buy day, and the buyer purchased them all, launching her career. Soon, she was designing for Anthropologie and other retailers, crafting jewelry that blended nostalgia with timeless elegance.In 1997, after years of designing for shops, museums, and catalogs, Kaari founded French General, a New York City boutique specializing in vintage notions, textiles, and ephemera. When she relocated to Los Angeles in 2003, French General evolved into a creative hub, offering workshops in jewelry-making, stitching, quilting, and more. Today, it's a destination for craft enthusiasts, with online classes and its signature Stitching From France series.Alongside her husband, Jon, Kaari has authored six books celebrating craft and design. She also creates quilting fabrics for Moda and home textiles for Fabricut. For the past 16 years, she has hosted immersive retreats in the South of France, inviting guests to experience brocantes, crafting, and the beauty of slow living. This conversation was both wonderful and inspirational!Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.Links:Website: https://www.frenchgeneral.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frenchgeneral

Hildie Dunn's natural enthusiasm and incredible heart make her a compassionate and deeply impactful coach. Her infectious spirit uplifts everyone she encounters, but it's her unwavering dedication to supporting others through triumphs and life's toughest moments that defines her work. Hildie's mission is to empower individuals to live extraordinary lives, pursue their dreams with intention, and find peace—even in the face of profound challenges.After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of her parents, Hildie redirected her focus to grief and the end-of-life journey. This deeply personal experience ignited a passion to guide others through the complexities of loss and transition, reshaping how people approach the end of life and the healing process that follows.As an End-of-Life Doula, Hildie helps individuals in their final stages of life design purposeful, peaceful transitions. She also provides caregivers with vital emotional support, offering relief and hope amid the complex emotions of caring for a loved one. Her unique blend of empathy, resilience, and deep understanding empowers her to guide others toward meaning, healing, and strength during life's most challenging moments. Through her work and life, Hildie inspires others to embrace hope and a renewed sense of purpose—and we're confident you'll feel the same after hearing her story.Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.Links:Website: https://www.handelgroup.com/hildie-dunn/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hildiedunn/

Kelly Rae Roberts' career is a testament to the transformative power of creativity—not just for herself, but for countless others. She began her professional journey as a social worker, dedicating years to helping people navigate life's challenges. Yet, at 30, a deep restlessness in her heart sparked an unexpected pivot: she picked up a paintbrush, and everything changed.What began as playful experimentation with paint, stencils, and texture soon became a lifeline of healing and unburdened joy. Kelly Rae poured her heart into her art, and by 2006, her creative portfolio had blossomed into something extraordinary. She launched her shop, published a book, and saw her work licensed on a global scale. From home décor stores to gift shops worldwide, her art resonated deeply, spreading messages of hope and inspiration.Kelly Rae's story is about far more than business success—it's about staying true to her passion for helping others. Through her art, online courses, and retreats, she uplifts and empowers women, encouraging them to nourish their souls and embrace joy through creativity and self-kindness. As a mentor to creative entrepreneurs, she radiates possibility, sharing the wisdom she's gained from building a thriving art business. In many ways, Kelly Rae's work as an artist mirrors her time as a social worker. The tools may have changed, but the mission remains the same: to listen, heal, and inspire others to dream big and live fully.Kelly Rae Roberts is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to chart a new path. With courage, creativity, and kindness, she shows us that we too can find healing, awaken joy, and create a life filled with purpose and possibility.Website: https://www.kellyraeroberts.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyraeroberts/Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.

This week on the ReBloom Podcast, we had the absolute privilege of chatting with the incredibly talented photographer, educator, and artist, Meg Loeks. Based in Michigan's picturesque Upper Peninsula, Meg is renowned for infusing her work with warmth, nostalgia, and a timeless beauty that resonates deeply.Inspired by her rural surroundings, motherhood, and a passion for classic artistry, Meg's photography transcends the ordinary. Every frame tells a story—a celebration of life, love, and the everyday moments that connect us to one another.During our conversation, Meg opened up about the heart behind her creative process, offering a glimpse into how she balances life as a mother of five with her thriving artistic career. She also shared her thoughts on cultivating authenticity in both life and art—a theme that runs through her work and her journey.Meg's impressive accolades include serving as a SIGMA Ambassador, Profoto Legend of Light, and 2022 Lightroom Ambassador. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she dedicates her talents to The Gold Hope Project, a nonprofit organization that provides free photo sessions to families affected by pediatric cancer.We hope you'll join us for this heartfelt episode with Meg Loeks. Whether you're a photographer, an artist, or simply someone seeking a little inspiration, her story is sure to ignite your creative spark.Website: https://www.megloeks.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meg_nloThe Artist's Eye Workshop: https://www.clickphotoschool.com/the-artists-eye/Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.

Stepping into Caroline Simas's world is like entering a vibrant canvas of color, creativity, and connection. Listening to our conversation with her will leave you inspired and ready to explore your own creative potential.Based in Charlotte, North Carolina's historic South End, Caroline has spent over 15 years creating art that speaks to the heart. Her designs—celebrated for their bold colors and uplifting messages—are licensed globally, gracing homes and gift products worldwide. Yet, her greatest passion is helping others discover their own creative spirit.Caroline believes creativity is as essential as breathing and dedicates herself to guiding women toward rediscovering their artistic side. Whether hosting retreats or leading workshops across the globe, she creates welcoming spaces where participants can explore and grow. Known as a “creativity cheerleader,” Caroline encourages others to find joy and meaning through art.Beyond her work, Caroline is a proud wife and mother of four young adults, all carving out their own creative paths. Gratitude and love fuel her life and work, with every paint stroke reflecting her connection to art and the world around her.Ready to feel inspired and uplifted? Tune in to hear Caroline's incredible journey and discover how following your passions can transform your life. It's a conversation you won't want to miss!Links:INSTAGRAM: @CAROLINESIMASWEBSITE: CAROLINESIMAS.COMFACEBOOK: Caroline Simas StudioINSPIRED BY NATURE RETREAT / Connecticut Retreat with Caroline: https://www.artistsrising.net/caroline-simas-2025Creativity & Culinary Retreat in Sabina, Italy: https://www.carolinesimas.com/blog/join-me-in-sabina-italyFLOWER POWER (ONLINE/VIRTUAL WORKSHOP) https://www.carolinesimas.com/flower-power-workshopCREATIVE COACHING WITH CAROLINE: https://www.carolinesimas.com/coachingPodcast Title: Caroline Simas: Following Her Purpose and PassionThank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.

In our latest episode of the ReBloom Podcast, we had the extraordinary opportunity to chat with the iconic designer and creative visionary, Todd Oldham. Renowned for his groundbreaking work in fashion, design, and the arts, Todd took us on an inspiring journey through his career, sharing invaluable insights and his unmistakable passion for creativity.Todd's lifelong love affair with art and design began humbly at a craft table in his childhood living room. This early spark of creativity grew into a dazzling career, marked by his unique ability to seamlessly blend joy, inclusivity, and artistry. One of the most compelling moments of our conversation was when Todd reflected on his transition from the world of high fashion to his current creative endeavors, many of which are designed to inspire children.Todd's work radiates a deep sense of playfulness and accessibility, reminding us all that creativity is for everyone. His belief in fostering imagination at any age is as refreshing as it is uplifting. Whether you're an artist, a designer, or someone simply looking to rediscover your creative spark, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to embrace your passions and explore new paths.Todd Oldham's story isn't just about achieving success—it's a celebration of evolving with purpose, staying true to your passions, and finding beauty every day. This episode is not to be missed!Website: https://www.toddoldhamstudio.com/Smarts and Crafts: https://www.smartsandcrafts.com/collections/bundlesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddoldhamstudio/Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you're launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout.

Wharton's Barbara Kahn and Dr. Americus Reed speak with Megan Darmody, VP of Brand Marketing at UrbanStems, about where they source their flowers, the experiential nature of floral gift-giving, reinventing the floral industry, how florals play a role in the social media posts of younger consumers, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margo Tantau is on a vibrant journey of reblooming, bringing her unmatched energy, vision, and passion to the creative world like never before. With over 30 years of experience in nearly every aspect of the creative industry, Margo began as a hands-on artist and evolved into roles as a designer, collaborator, and corporate innovator. From building her own magical retail business to developing sought-after wholesale product lines and mentoring thousands of students, her career is firmly rooted in artistic passion and purpose.Margo is now bringing a fresh voice to the art licensing world with the founding of Tantau Studio, a creative agency dedicated to nurturing extraordinary talent from across the globe. She is passionate about connecting a curated roster of innovative artists with leading brands who share a love for exceptional design. Tantau Studio will deliver the unexpected, the delightful, and the commercially brilliant.Beyond her agency, Margo thrives on empowering fellow visionaries. Through her Windowsill Chats podcast, dynamic workshops, consulting services, and her newest venture—The Foundry, a membership community for modern creatives—Margo continues to make a significant impact in the creative industry.Her evolving ventures foster a dynamic, inclusive community where creatives can connect, flourish, and thrive. Don't miss the latest episode of the ReBloom Podcast to hear how Margo is redefining the future of creativity and inspiring others to make a lasting impact through their artistry.Website:http://margotantau.com/The Foundry:https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundryWindowsill Chats:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/windowsill-chats/id1529045232?i=1000678409037Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mtantau/LIVE COURAGEOUSLY REBLOOM RETREAT: https://tickets.madtixevents.com/e/livecourageouslyrebloom-may2025Our Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey. UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%! Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Join us for a deep dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Tyler Lewis, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Jackworth Ginger Beer—Pennsylvania's first ginger beer brewery. After relocating from New York City to Pittsburgh, Tyler has been dedicated to building Jackworth Ginger Beer into a standout brand with aspirations for nationwide distribution. Founded in collaboration with Pittsburgh native and head brewer Jackworth Smith, their company is one of the few breweries in the U.S. specializing in alcoholic ginger beer, while also catering to all tastes with non-alcoholic options.Before his venture into the craft beverage world, Tyler co-founded the art gallery My Pet Ram and contributed to groundbreaking research at Neuro-Insight, a leading neuromarketing firm with clients like Anheuser-Busch, Samsung, and Facebook. Tune in to hear Tyler's inspiring story of moving from NYC to Pittsburgh, merging creativity with business savvy, and building a unique brand with broad appeal.Our Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey. UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%! Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcastWebsite:https://www.jackworth.co/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jackworthgingerbeer/

Kailin Noivo's guest this time on Ecommerce Toolbox: Expert Perspectives is Meenakshi Lala, CEO of UrbanStems. Drawing on her two decades in fashion retail, Meenakshi explores her pivot to the floral industry, explaining how her experience helped her drive the customer-focused ecommerce process that UrbanStems wanted to employ. The pair delve into all the challenges that come with stocking and delivering a perishable product sourced from 11 countries across 48 U.S. states. Innovation and AI is relevant to all industries, and for Meenakshi, it has been a gamechanger in how they deal with customers and maintain dynamic stock levels. This is the company's key instrument in avoiding wastage and keeping profit margins high. Join the conversation now to learn more.

At UPPERCASE publishing, Janine Vangool truly does it all! As the driving force behind every aspect of the business, Janine wears multiple hats: publisher, editor, designer, customer service representative, logistics coordinator, subscription manager – you name it, she's involved. Janine embodies the UPPERCASE ethos: a commitment to craft, a love for the creative process, and an appreciation for the beauty of handmade things.Janine's journey began with a background in graphic design. Working as a freelance designer for arts and culture clients, she honed her skills and built a strong foundation in visual storytelling. Along the way, she also taught typography and publication design at the college level, passing on her passion to the next generation of designers.Her love for design isn't limited to publishing. Janine has been a shop owner and bookseller, curated galleries, launched a wholesale line of greeting cards, and, impressively, hand-assembled 10,000 books with the help of a dedicated team. Her sewing skills even found their way into her business, as she crafted products for retail by hand.Adding to her creative repertoire, Janine has collaborated with Windham Fabrics on four distinct collections. Her love for vintage items, particularly typewriters, has not only influenced her personal style but also inspired an entire book. Janine also created the UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration—a beautifully curated series of books that are thoughtfully designed and offer a high-quality tactile experience that delves deeply into niche creative fields.Janine's story is a must-hear for anyone with a creative spirit and a curious mind!Website:https://uppercasemagazine.com/Newsletter signup: http://uppercasemagazine.com/freeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/uppercasemag/Our Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey. UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%! Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

What would have to be true for you to buy a Chateau in France?Stephen asked Sara this dream question and hear how they pivoted from jobs in Canada and found the Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés to begin their next adventure. Stephen and Sara created “Manor and Maker” to reflect two goals-- one, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs, and two, to pursue their passions as makers by creating exhibition spaces in a glorious setting. We invite you to listen to their fabulous adventure and they invite you to bring your creative dreams to life in France!Maker and Manor LinksWebsite: https://www.manorandmaker.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manorandmakerOur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey. UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Enjoy this powerful conversation with Courtney Minor as she shares her fascinating story, unique and inspiring travels, and how she discovered her creative voice. Courtney explores alternate worlds with her art using collage elements photographs, paint, and found objects. Whether with abstract figures, graffiti-style motifs, or a combination of both, she turns her creative visions into original artworks, fine art prints, and home & personal goods. Her work is rooted in her emotions, psychology/mental health, memories, travels, and love of science fiction. Her style is primarily contemporary abstract with street art & surrealism elements. She opened the Courtney Minor Design Studio at Mana Contemporary and is open for private studio tours. Courtney Minor's work can be viewed & purchased on her website https://thecmdstudio.com/collections or at her partner galleries: Singulart Gallery in Paris, Saatchi Art online, 33 Contemporary in Chicago, and Kente Royal Gallery in Harlem, NYC. This episode is filled with inspiration to travel, to create, and to share your voice!Courtney's LinksWebsite: https://thecmdstudio.com/collectionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyitscourtneyminorOur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey. UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Sometimes moving forward is a challenge, but as Amy Butler shared with us, “We are trained deeply to hold on to things that make us feel secure or understand ourselves. To understand myself further, I needed to grow and change and allow myself to do that.” Hear how she listened to the taps on her shoulder. Amy seeks to uplift people and create products that enrich their lives and inspire others to seek out and grow their own creativity. Throughout the years, Amy has created fabrics, patterns, books, and extensive collections of home decor, craft and fashion products. Through global workshops and retreats, Amy gets to align with other like-minded folks to explore local cultures around the world and bring about a sense of our deep-seated human connection.WEB SITE: https://www.amybutlerdesign.com/CARAVAN SOUK ONLINE STORE: https://www.amybutlerdesign.com/new-page-4GLOBAL RETREATS: https://www.amybutlerdesign.com/global-retreats-workshopsBLOSSOM MAGAZINE: https://www.amybutlerdesign.com/new-pageINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/amybutlerdesign/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/amybutlerdesignOur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey. UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Juan M. Villanueva is a second-generation florist whose journey has taken him from the vibrant wildflower-filled pastures of South Texas to the bustling streets of Manhattan. Initially trained as a painter and sculptor at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Villanueva soon rediscovered his passion for floral design, founding his own floral design company in NYC in 2008. Never fully abandoning his artistic practice, his debut solo art exhibition in Chelsea, Manhattan, in 2023 showcased the incredible and varied depth of his talents. His floral expertise has taken him to the HGTV/Discovery+ topiary competition 'Clipped!', judged by Martha Stewart as well as work with many international brands, high-profile celebrities and esteemed interior designers. Juan's story is one that shows in the smallest of spaces and with some challenges too, big dreams can and do come true!Website: https://villanuevadesigns.com/Artwork: https://www.jmvillanueva.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VILLANUEVADESIGNSOur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

We invite you to take a few minutes to discover why you should become a “playful imperfectionist” like our next guest and friend Robin Davis. She followed heart compass, and it led her to a whimsical wonderland and successful business! Robin's creative journey began in Visual Merchandising and Graphic Design and Art Licensing. Guided by a playful heart and inspired by her little boy, Robin began creating a miniature up-cycled world with a tiny robot named Pocket. Pocket's mission is to bring hope and wonder while inspiring creativity using the treasures that surround us. Pocket cheerleads every creature, demonstrating that even the smallest steps can lead to big dreams. Robin Davis Studio invites everyone to rediscover childlike wonder and embrace the magic within our everyday life.Website: https://www.robindavisstudio.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robindavisstudioYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RobinDavisStudioOur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Our conversation with Jehane take us Brighton England. Her journey is fabulous, and she shares how some of the seeds that were planted when she was a child have continued to bloom brightly throughout her life. Jehane is the creative heart and mind behind UK-based Illustration Agency; Jehane Ltd. A successful designer in her own right, Jehane has licensed hundreds of her own designs all over the world and was one of the first designers in the 1990's to use quotes and lettering in surface pattern—thanks to the inspiration of a fellow Brit named Shakespeare. Renowned for her exceptional eye and creatively developing concepts, Jehane personally represents 20 distinctive artists from the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, and New Zealand. Clients include Chronicle Books, LEGO, Anthropologie, Godiva Japan, and many more. Her journey, pivots and how she has grown a successful agency is a conversation you won't want to miss!Our Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcastJehane's Links:https://www.jehane.com/Jehane's Golden Thread - weekly illustration challengeFind your Art Agent - how to find your agent resourceOcean Dreams Brief - free creative brief and moodboardYour Creative Gold: The 2025 Edition - join the wait-list

It's no secret, Lori loves color and Jamie loves florals! What a treat for us to interview and welcome Cathy Nichols, a mixed media artist specializing in lush florals set within lyrical layers of text, pattern and of course bold color. Her goal is to promote a vision of kindness, love and interconnectivity in her work using paper, paint, archetype and, always, a bit of magic. A lifelong teacher, Cathy adores nurturing her students and helping them to unleash their creative vision. Her beautiful story of reblooming is an inspiration and she reminds any artist, new or experienced, how important it is to listen to your heart and allow your emotions to take you on a creative journey.Our Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Every day for over a decade, Mary Jo Hoffman has made a daily photo of found nature. For Hoffman, a former aeronautical engineer, this ritual cracked open profound revelations about connectedness, placefulness, and life. Her new book, STILL: The Art of Noticing, is the astonishing culmination of the STILL project, with 275 breathtaking photos from her enormous archive accompanied by her perceptive and oft-times humorous essays. We are thrilled to have a conversation with her about this major pivot in her life and share her amazing journey of discovery and creativity.Mary Jo's Links:To Order: STILL: The Art of NoticingMary Jo's NewsletterInstagramOur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Sometimes you make mindful pivots and other times, life makes them for you. Fourteen years ago, Kim was a licensed artist, living quietly in a small Canadian town, raising her boys, and married to her husband John. After some challenging family years and her husband's cancer diagnosis, her creative career stalled, but she found a more fulfilling and intentional path. Hear how this self-described introvert has created a successful business as a photographer, filmmaker, creative coach, writer, podcaster, lightroom instructor, and finder of the coolest things! Kim inspired us and we are so happy to share her story of Reblooming with you.Kim's Links: http://kimklassen.com http://discover.kimklassen.com http://instagram.com/kimklassenOur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

You are invited to take a sneak peek behind the curtains of Leslie Saeta's 100-Year-Old dream home she shares with her husband Dave! As a full-time lifestyle blogger and influencer, she shares her ever-changing life in this gorgeous home as well as her beach house and a remodeled a fixer-upper home in Waco, Texas. Enjoy our fabulous conversation with Leslie and hear how she ReBloomed combining her passions for art, decor, DIY crafts, recipes, flea market shopping, and entertaining. Amazing things can happen when you follow your creative passions!Website: https://my100yearoldhome.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my100yearoldhome/Blog: https://my100yearoldhome.com/blog/Haven Conference: https://havenconference.com/Our Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Hear the incredible journey of Seth Apter, who pivoted from a full-time career as a psychologist in New York City to a renowned mixed media artist, international instructor, designer, shopkeeper, and best-selling author! You will be inspired by his art journey that started with a little kindness and a thank-you note and completely changed the trajectory of his life. Seth's artistic practice is centered around community and collaboration, and this is evident when he shares his passion for teaching others to share their artistic joy. Seth's online in-person workshops and books, The Pulse of Mixed Media and The Mixed-Media Artist are a must for mixed-media inspiration! Enjoy our wonderful conversation with Seth as we explore the interesting layers that led him on a journey to ReBloom.Seth's Links:Website: https://www.sethapter.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sethapter/Online Shop: https://www.sethapter.com/categoriesOur Podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. If you are looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Welcome Jessie-Sierra Ross--fabulous cookbook author, television contributor, and food & lifestyle blogger at Straight to the Hips, Baby.A native Bostonian and former professional ballerina, Jessie traded in her fast-paced urban life for the farm-to-table landscape of Western Massachusetts. She then ReBloomed as a self-taught cook and avid home entertainer. She brings her unique artistic background to her “light & bright” food photography style and recipes. Jessie-Sierra shares her easy elegance with a variety of audiences to empower the home cook to create their own food experiences for family & friends.Find her new book, Seasons Around the Table on Amazon or follow her on Instagram and Facebook @straighttothehipsbaby.Guest Links:Website: www.straighttothehipsbaby.comBook Pre-Order on Amazon Seasons Around the Table: https://a.co/d/5z7qCzCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/straighttothehipsbaby/Facebook @straighttothehipsbabyReBloom is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

I sit down with teacher, practitioner, speaker, and leading voice in the sexual wellness movement Kiana Reeves to talk about expressing sexuality while being a mom, how to get out of your head and drop into your body while having sex, asking for what we need in the bedroom, the different types of orgasms women have and how to achieve them, how to break out of routine and keep the spark alive in a long term long relationship, what contributes to low-libido, and using mirror work to give ourselves the body confidence we need to achieve what we want in the bedroom.A word from our sponsors:Nutrafol: This Mother's Day share the gift of growth with a special woman in your life. Whether its your mother, aunt, or friend, Nutrafol is a unique and thoughtful gift with lasting impact. for a limited time, Nutrafol is offering listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter promo code HONEST.Hero Bread: Don't give up being a breadhead. Go to hero.co and use code HONEST to get 10% off your order at checkoutBon Charge: Go to boncharge.com and use code HONEST at checkout to save 15%Lulu's: Visit lulus.com and use code HONEST at checkout for 20% off your first purchase. New customers only. Terms apply.Urban Stems: Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th. You can visit UrbanStems.com/honest to see some of our top picks! Just be sure to order in time by using code HONEST for 15% off your purchase.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do you do when your semi-professional basketball career comes to an end? You move to France, meet your life partner, and start a retreat for artists! That is just what Harrison Turner did and what pleasure to hear how he created the fabulous Perigord Retreats for artisans in France. What started six years ago as a side hustle, is now his livelihood and passion. Together with his partner Katel and young son, they have made a special space filled with inspiration that welcomes groups for unique adventures and local cuisine. We are proud to tell his inspirational story in this podcast!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perigordretreats/Other Links: https://perigord-retreats.com/links/ReBloom is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Justin Anderson is back to dish on all the latest hot topics including TikTok beauty trends we're trying, having Coachella FOMO, celebrity plastic surgery and dental work, and our thoughts on Tyler Cameron commenting on my relationship.A word from our sponsors:Zip Recruiter: Spring forward with a new hiring partner - ZipRecruiter - and find top talent sooner. See why 4 out of 5 employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. Just go to this exclusive web address to try ZipRecruiter FOR FREE: ZipRecruiter.com/HONESTSkims: Shop SKIMS T-Shirt shop at SKIMS.com. Now available in sizes XXS - 4X. Plus, get free shipping on orders over $75! If you haven't yet, be sure to let them know I sent you! After you place your order, select "podcast" in the survey and select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Farmer's Dog: Get 50% off your first box of fresh, healthy food at TheFarmersDog.com/honest. PLUS, you get free shipping!Saie: Shop Saie's makeup essentials at Sephora.Urban Stems: Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th. You can visit UrbanStems.com/honest to see some of our top picks! Just be sure to order in time by using code HONEST for 15% off your purchase.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dating coach Matthew Hussey joins me to discuss why people are having such a hard time finding a successful relationship, why we get obsessed with someone when they don't text for 2 days, how to figure out if you're compatible with someone, qualities for a long-lasting relationship, why having tough conversations is a necessity, attention vs intention, and having FU Confidence.A word from our sponsors:Ritual: Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at ritual.com/BEHONEST. Start Ritual or add Synbiotic+ to your subscription today.Quince: Get warm weather ready with Quince! Go to Quince.com/honest for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/honest for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!Farmer's Dog: Get 50% off your first box of fresh, healthy food at TheFarmersDog.com/honest. PLUS, you get free shipping!Bon Charge: Go to boncharge.com and use code HONEST to save 15% off my favorite Red Light Face Mask and other wellness products.Urban Stems: Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12th. You can visit UrbanStems.com/honest to see some of our top picks! Just be sure to order in time by using code HONEST for 15% off your purchase. Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When you trust that your creative heart is on the right path, good things are bound to happen. Jo Packham's has been on more than one right path and there is so much to admire about her creative journey! As a leading innovator in the handmade publishing market for more than 45 years, she was a successful entrepreneur as the creator and owner of the very successful publishing companies: WOMEN CREATE, WWC Press, Chapelle Ltd., and The Vanessa-Ann Collection. And if this were not enough, Jo is ReBlooming again with a new career in online video and live-streaming TV with the introduction of MadeT.V Network. Working with and supporting women has been Jo's focus her entire career … and she always looks forward to tomorrow, the women she will meet, and the stories they tell that she can share. We are proud to tell her inspirational story in this podcast!Enjoy her story and learn more about Jo on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jo_packham/ and on MadeT.V. https://www.instagram.com/madetv.network/ReBloom is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Reblooming with purpose and passion on the farm!What happens when you mix creativity with no fear—you get the best cocktail in the world called the “Blue Ash Farm Spirit!” Join us as Bill O'Donnell shares how he went from the Chicago Stock Exchange to a beautiful farm in Wisconsin making craft spirits, honey, and priceless great memories with his family and friends. His creative roots run deep and wide. The original Blue Ash Farm was his grandparents in Kentucky and the only thing left was an old sign and some special childhood memories. Bill is from a big family of creative risk-takers and his desire for a farm combined with a need for a more enriching life led him to take a huge risk and create a spectacular new professional life and restore not only his soul but the land that he farms. Enjoy his story and learn more about Bill and Blue Ash Farm at https://blueashfarm.com/media/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blueashfarm/Links Mentioned in this episode:https://johnnieo.comhttps://whereareyougoinginthat.com/Our podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Sometimes the seeds of inspiration are often planted as a child, but sometimes it takes years for them to germinate and eventually bloom. Lucy shares her wonderful journey from wandering through her grandmother's garden as a child to her life in Wales as a landscape architect, florist, photographer, and best-selling author. She may have been raised in the city and started her career in banking, but her creative heart has led her to bloom and rebloom in the most beautiful ways. Her story is both interesting and fabulous! We hope you will enjoy getting to know Lucy and be inspired to grow your creative garden. You can learn more about Lucy at https://www.lucyhunter.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucytheflowerhunter/Books: https://www.lucyhunter.co.uk/my-booksOur podcast is proudly sponsored by Jet Creative and UrbanStems! Jet Creative is a women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Looking to build a website or start a podcast--visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey.UrbanStems is your go-to source for fresh gorgeous bouquets flowers and gifts delivered coast-to-coast! USE: BLOOMBIG20 to save 20%!Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rebloom.podcast

Cori Sue Morris is an entrepreneurial brand & growth marketer with 12 years experience building high-growth, consumer-facing brands from the ground-up including Havenly, Usual Wines, UrbanStems, WeWork, Curex and Tailwind. CONNECT WITH HER https://www.retreatmicrodose.com/about Subscribe to this channel now!  https://www.youtube.com/user/lunidelouis/?sub_confirmation=1    ---------------------------------------------------- Join our exclusive Facebook group @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/339709559955223  --------------------------------------------------- Looking for accountability to do your morning routine -- join us tomorrow morning, it's FREE:   https://bestmorningroutineever.com/  ----------------------------------------­­­­­­­-------------

This is a NYC-special, recorded in August 2023 and I, Businesshenriette, speak with the brand builder, entrepreneur & content creator Cori Sue Morris. She is the Founder of Retreat which is a platform providing education, content and community for the mushroom-curious✨

"Operating under constraints is a reality at this stage, and sometimes, I have to be the bearer of tough news, allocating resources judiciously. It's about making the most with what we have and prioritizing strategically."Have you ever wondered about the thrilling journey of being among the first few employees at a tech startup? In this episode of The Shape Of Work, our guest Jereme Holiman, VP of People of Shardeum Foundation, shares his riveting tales from the trenches of Web 3.0 startups and the promising future they hold. Join us as we embark on an exploration of his experiences, right from the adrenaline rush of early-stage tech startups to the enlightened philosophy behind the vision of Web 3.0. With a rich professional background spanning over two decades, he has contributed his expertise to distinguished organizations including UrbanStems, Clyde, and Struck Crypto, among others.As we continue the discussion, Jereme uncovers the inner workings of Shardeum's rapid expansion, detailing his role in managing people operations, shaping internal culture, and mastering the art of recruitment. Learn about Shardeum's diligent hiring process and its strategic approach to attracting top talent.Episode HighlightsWeb 3.0 and its potential to give users more control over their dataHiring process and talent acquisition at a startupHiring strategy for a Web 3.0 companyWeb 3.0 opportunities and global work cultureFollow Jereme on LinkedinProduced by: Priya BhattPodcast Host: Archit SethiAbout Springworks:Springworks is a fully-distributed HR technology organisation building tools and products to simplify recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention. The product stack from Springworks includes:SpringVerify— B2B verification platformEngageWith— employee recognition and rewards platform that enriches company cultureTrivia — a suite of real-time, fun, and interactive games platforms for remote/hybrid team-buildingSpringRole — verified professional-profile platform backed by blockchain, andSpringRecruit — a forever-free applicant tracking system.Springworks prides itself on being an organisation focused on employee well-being and workplace culture, leading to a 4.8 rating on Glassdoor for the 200+ employee strength company.

Cori Sue Morris is a third-time female founder with 2 successful exits, wellness junkie, and total mycophile. She's the founder of Retreat, a microdosing platform providing content, community, and coaching to psychedelic newcomers. Cori has 15+ years building and scaling brands as a founder & head of marketing, including Havenly, Usual Wines, UrbanStems, WeWork, Curex and Tailwind. Cori is a member of the Microdosing Collective, Psychedelic Women, and is currently training to be a psychedelic facilitator with Synthesis Institute. Cori is passionate about helping others improve their wellbeing, building brands, and supporting women-led businesses. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil, and a master's degree from the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. @corisue Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Lauren dives into how anxiety can be sneaky and put on a disguise to try and GETCHA! But have no fear we are smarter than our anxiety and can pivot to get through any new season! Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurenelizabeth Follow me on TikTok: https://bit.ly/3r7cyci Follow on YouTube: youtube.com/lovelaurenelizabeth  Visit ritual.com/MOOD to start Ritual or add Essential For Women 18+ to your subscription today Head to Hatch.co and get free expedited shipping on your new Restore 2 so you can start feeling well-rested ASAP. Use code MOOD at UrbanStems.com/mood for 15% off!  

Welcome back to MOOD! This week Lauren's Mood For Thought unpacks why you have to own your choices and how it's helped her this year. As always you'll love her best mood, worst mood, and mood boosters of the week!  Amazon Storefront: https://amzn.to/3JsUOAp Follow Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurenelizabeth Follow TikTok: https://bit.ly/3r7cyci Urbanstems.com/MOOD code MOOD for 15% off! Article.com/MOOD for $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more! Visit Zocdoc.com/LAUREN to download their free app! Headspace.com/MOOD30DAY to unlock a month of headspace!

The most popular day for flower deliveries? Here's a hint: it's not Valentine's Day… Find this trivia tidbit and many more growth marketing insights shared by Megan Bailey Darmody, senior director of brand marketing for online gifting company UrbanStems. Megan, Billie, and Billy explore how proactive communication improves customer satisfaction and loyalty, and how the shifting landscape of supply chain logistics for perishable products impacts long-term marketing strategy. Megan shares her expertise in cross-functional collaboration, data, and insights, and why the best strategy is treating people well. Hot topics discussed:How marketers benefit from understanding customer service, supply chain, operations, and logistics — especially in the CPG sectorThe connection between customer acquisition and corporate adaptability, creativity, and agilityDriving engagement through consumer sentiment analysis, cross-channel content, and delightfully unexpected brand partnerships (cheers to you, Budweiser and Bridgerton)Keep the growth going:Connect with Megan Bailey Darmody, UrbanStems Senior Director of Brand Marketing on LinkedInFollow Billie Loewen, WillowTree Partner & VP of Growth Marketing on LinkedInFollow Billy Fischer, WillowTree Partner & VP of Business Development on LinkedInConnect with WillowTree on LinkedIn

Orion Kobayashi has always had a passion for food, agriculture, and solving supply chain challenges. After serving in AmeriCorps and three years of working on farms, he went to Tufts Friedman School, earning an MS in Food Policy and Logistics. His work centers around connecting people with farmers, and through that connection creating value for sustainable products. He has helped build these value chains and manage the logistics at startups like sweetgreen and UrbanStems.Connect with Orion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orionkobayashi/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orion_ontheroad/  Follow Farm to Future on Instagram at @farm.to.future

It may seem simple to order a bouquet of flowers and have it delivered to your home, but a lot of work goes into such a task. On this week's Modern Retail Podcast, Seth Goldman, the CEO of online flower and plant delivery service UrbanStems, discussed the ins and outs of the e-florist business. Over the last two years, UrbanStems saw year-over-year growth in both 2020 and 2021 -- even after the company shut down its local delivery services in March of 2020, which resulted in a 60% decline in its business at that time. But when things reopened in July, the company was back on track and "revenue growth continued to scale," said Goldman. Indeed, sales grew 130% in 2021. Now, with these two years in the rearview mirror, Goldman says he's figuring out what parts of the business to invest in. "For all brands, it's about starting to make sure that all of those customers that tried us out are sticking," he said. Venture funding is helping with that. Last year, Urban Stems raised $20 million, giving it a valuation north of $100 million. This year, Goldman is trying to continue figuring out how to best use that money. One of his focuses is on building out the infrastructure that allows the company to deliver its flowers. Meanwhile, Goldman is also investing in both the technology and user experience side of things. Lastly, the company is also investing in its team and growing its headcount. Goldman spoke about all of those aspects of the business -- infrastructure, technology and talent -- and how he's thinking about prioritization. "There's a lot of work to continue to do across all three," he said.

Jereme Holiman is the Co-founder and VP of People and Operations at Clyde, an ownership enrichment platform. They empower retailers — from startups to enterprises — to offer product protection plans to customers. They aim to bring more businesses online and help merchants engage more effectively with their customers. Jereme is also the Co-founder of UrbanStems. In this episode… The first year of starting and building a company can be very tough. Entrepreneurs focus most of their time developing new products and building their customer base. This stage is often capital intensive, and venture capital funding becomes ideal for entrepreneurs looking to grow and scale quickly. Based on his experience, Jereme Holiman decided on VC funding to build his second company. Bootstrapping was not a good option because it wouldn't accomplish his vision. VC backing helped him and his business partners invest in quality employees and lend support to the business from the start. In this episode of the Skunkworks Podcast, Eric Bourget interviews Jereme Holiman, the Co-founder and VP of People and Operations at Clyde, about the benefits of building a venture capital funded company. Jereme explains how he manages his business operations, talks about his role at Clyde, and discusses the importance of working with the right venture capital partner. Stay tuned.

Welcome to the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, Season 1, Episode Three  , I'm your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with CommerceNext and presented by Wunderkind.In these times, insights on modern, post-COVID ear consumer attitudes, behaviours and norms has become the new life's work for brands and agencies alike.  How can retailers find opportunities for growth in a consumer environment that is recovering from widespread disruption?  What strategies and tactics can their agency partners bring to bear to get them there?In this episode I meet Ryan Urban, the founder of Wunderkind, and Seth Goldman, the CEO of UrbanStems. These two founders share their analysis and experience regarding the latest trends in retail marketing, customer engagement and employee empowerment.Together, they discuss they discuss their respective career paths, how finding and retaining great talent has changed and evolved, and ultimately how connecting all of these dots leads to better customer experience. [End]Thanks for tuning into this episode of Conversations with CommerceNext.  Please follow us on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform where we'll be sharing career advice and marketing strategies from eCommerce and digital marketing leaders at retailers and direct-to-consumer brands each and every episode.   CommerceNext is a community, event series and conference for marketers at retail and direct-to-consumer brands. Through our online forums, interviews, webinars, summits and other in-person events, we harness the collective wisdom of our community to help marketers grow their businesses and advance their careers. Join CommerceNext events to meet other industry leaders and learn the latest ecommerce and marketing strategies. You can find upcoming events at CommerceNext dot com Have a fantastic week everyone!Seth GoldmanExperienced e-commerce manager with strong finance and analytical skills and a passion for consumer products and services. Industry expertise in consumer consumables, food and floral.Seth is currently the CEO at UrbanStems, an ecommerce company disrupting the floral and gifting space. UrbanStems' mission is to send 'Send Happy' to all of its customers, and to make it easier to send a beautiful gift to friends and loved ones. As CEO, Seth has successfully installed processes and reporting to allow the business to scale significantly. He has focused on increasing margins while maintaining strong top-line growth.Prior to UrbanStems, Seth ran the US division of HelloFresh, and helped scale that business into the leading meal kit company. HelloFresh raised nearly $300 million from its investors to disrupt the food delivery and grocery space, culminating with a successful IPO in 2017. While running the US business, Seth added facilities in NJ, TX and CA, expanding HelloFresh to a national footprint. Seth built many parts of the business from scratch, including the operations, finance and HR departments. Under his leadership, HelloFresh was able to secure a $37 million incentive package from the state of NJ to support their exponential growth.Before joining HelloFresh, Seth was at Quidsi (acquired by Amazon), where he was on the launch team of Wag.com, a pet-focused commerce site. At Quidsi, Seth led supply chain for Wag and three other sites. Seth began his career working in management consulting and private equity. Seth holds an AB from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at NYU.Areas of expertise:* E-commerce* Consumer Products, with specific expertise in food* Scaling high-growth businesses* Operations, supply chain and logistics* Hiring and managing high-performance teams* Cash flow modeling and valuation analysis* Statistical and quantitative analysisRyan Urban ABOUT US:  Scott SilvermanAn ecommerce veteran, Scott Silverman has been active in the industry since 1999 and is passionate about digital retail and the innovation driving the industry. Scott Silverman is the Co-Founder of CommerceNext. Previously, he spent 10 years as Executive Director of Shop.org where he launched the Shop.org Annual Summit. Scott co-invented “Cyber Monday” in 2005 and was the founder of Cybermonday.com in 2006, a shopping site that has generated more than $2.5 million for Shop.org's scholarship fund. Veronika SonsevVeronika Sonsev is the Co-Founder of CommerceNext. She also leads the retail practice for Chameleon Collective and is a contributor for Forbes on how to grow retail and ecommerce in the age of Amazon. Having spent the last 10+ years working with some of the largest retailers and direct-to-consumer brands, Veronika has intimate knowledge of the challenges facing retail and ecommerce today. She is also an advocate for women in business and founded the global non-profit mBolden, which is now part of SheRunsit.  Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus        Global E-Commerce Tech Talks  and       The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.  You can learn more about Michael       here  or on       LinkedIn.  About CommerceNextCommerceNext is a community, event series and conference for marketers at retail and direct-to-consumer brands. Through our online forums, interviews, webinars, summits and other in-person events, we harness the collective wisdom of our community to help marketers grow their businesses and advance their careers. Join CommerceNext events to meet other industry leaders and learn the latest ecommerce and marketing strategies. You can find upcoming events at https://commercenext.com/commercenext-webinars/. 

Ajay Kori is Co-Founder & Chairman of UrbanStems, a plant and flower delivery company that rewrote the book on what was traditionally a business with a reputation for a surprising number of dissatisfied customers.  He joins the latest episode of Subscriptions: Scaled podcast to talk with host Nick Fredrick about how UrbanStems has disrupted the flower delivery industry by building a business from the ground up with a laser focus on creating the best customer experience possible. This meant starting from scratch building relationships with the growers, creating their own delivery system, and controlling the entire process from receiving the orders to making the deliveries.Ajay is also transparent about the mistakes he has made along the way. He underestimated how powerful and popular subscriptions would be, not only for his business but also for many customers who appreciate sending or receiving flowers on a regular basis without having to go back to the site to re-order. Tune into this episode of Subscriptions: Scaled to hear Ajay talk about all this and more at the link in the comments below. Don't forget to rate, download, and subscribe to the show and share this episode with your network.@ajaykori@NickFredrick@UrbanStems@rebar-technologyUrbanStemsRebar Technology Ready to get started with Rebar?Head to rebartechnology.com or email info@rebartechnology.com to schedule a call today.

Welcome to Getting To The Truth In This Art. This week I have the pleasure of speaking with portrait and lifestyle photographer based out of Baltimore, MD Isaiah Winters.Isaiah is a documentary photographer and conceptual artist based in Brooklyn, NYC & Baltimore, MD. Focus on architecture, social landscapes, and analog photography assist in giving his work a nostalgic and romantic feel. I enjoy emphasizing certain aspects or colors within my work; to highlight the effects everyday light and composition have on all of us. He's also a member of TheBmoreCreatives team - they work to connect local artists and creatives with each other, highlight local businesses, and showcase Baltimore’s art scene!He's gravitated towards documentary photography and portraiture that tells a narrative. Currently working w/ archival and appropriated content from 20th Century.He's spent the last few years coming to terms with my own identity, and attempting to work through questions of what it means to be a Black male in today’s society. He believes that through more representation in the visual arts and beyond, we can work to empower our next generation of Black leaders.Some of these clients and partners include:Google, Moment, Baltimore Magazine, Baltimore Sun, Verizon, Budweiser, COACH, Samsung, Parks Project, K-Swiss, Bar Clavel, UrbanStems, Walgreens, Coca-Cola, HELP USA, UNIQLO, and Pursuit of Portraits Photo by TutesIf you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really makes a difference and it's always nice to read kind words.Follow us on Twitter and  InstagramBe sure to check out our other podcasts:Mastermind Team's Robcast - Mastermind Team's Robcast is an irreverent and hilarious podcast covering all things pop culture and weird news. Let's Watch It Again - Let's Watch It Again is a movie review podcast from MTR The Network.★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, co-hosts Madison and Claudia, interview Ajay Kori, co-founder and former CEO of UrbanStems. They find out more about his journey of founding and scaling this massively successful eCommerce flower delivery service business. He shares a few of his learnings about customer satisfaction and the best way to ensure the longevity of new customers. His inspiring story of failing during the initial phases of the business, but not letting that deter him or his team from making a huge success of the company, should be a great motivation for any aspiring entrepreneur. Ajay shares why he eventually decided to hand over the CEO reins of UrbanStems and start a new business that now has the potential to help millions of people find relief from migraines.

Thank you for tuning into "Starting Small", a podcast about brand development, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the modern world. In this episode, I am joined by Ajay Kori, Founder of Allay Lamp, a therapy lamp for migraine sufferers, using a patented narrow band of green light, discovered by Harvard neuroscientist, Dr. Rami Burstein. Ajay attended Duke University for his undergrad for a major in Applied Science, and attended Harvard University for his MBA. Following college, Ajay has founded numerous startups such as UrbanStems, an online flower delivery service, Novilla Pharmaceuticals, and Allay Lamp. While collaborating with Dr. Rami Burstein, they wanted to find the correct light band that could limit stress on the eyes, that result to migraines. This type of bulb was first estimated to $20,000, until they found a contact who worked with light installation for NASA on the space station, who was able to introduce a precious band at an affordable price. From this, the Allay Lamp was born and has been effective nation wide. Make sure to check out Allay Lamp at: https://allaylamp.com/ Thank you to this episodes sponsor, Basic Rights. Basic Rights is a clothing brand that was founded in NYC and designed in London, that focuses on style and sustainability. They have partnered with Trees for the Future in 2019 to offset our carbon footprint by planting a tree for every item sold. To date, they have planted over 15,000 trees. Find out more at: https://us.basicrights.com/ Follow Starting Small:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tourLinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle Check out my favorite journal by LEUCHTTURM1917 at: https://www.leuchtturm1917.us/notebook-medium-a5-hardcover-251-numbered-pages-5-3-4-x-8-1-4-in.html  

In recent years, UrbanStems has grown from operating its online flower ordering and delivery business in a few markets to processing and delivering orders from coast to coast. It’s a DTC success story, but it was by no means an easy road to get to where the company is now. Scaling is one of the most challenging parts of running a business. Where do you allocate your resources? How do you enter new markets? And what do you do when disaster strikes in a way that could topple your business?Seth Goldman had to answer those questions and more when he took over as the CEO of UrbanStems in 2017. On this episode of Up Next in Commerce, he spilled the tea on everything he learned along the way. Seth explains how to navigate through the process of scaling, finding bottlenecks in your operations, and breaks down the ways to look at ROI when trying to break into a new market. Plus, he gives some insight into best practices when adding headcount. Main Takeaways:Finding the Bottleneck: There is a tendency for everyone to think everything is the problem, so it’s important to use data to prove that you have an actual bottleneck rather than anecdotal experiences. With the data as a guide, you can zero in on the actual bottlenecks and fix them at the source.Tipping The Scale: There are various hurdles to scaling. Doing it successfully is about finding the right level of balance when it comes to allocating resources. Are the current processes failing? Is there new technology that can create efficiencies? Or maybe you should be allocating headcount in a different way. Answering those questions is the best way to determine how to stimulate sustainable growth.Welcome To [Enter City Here]: When expanding your business into new markets, understanding the ROI of moving into those cities is the first step. It’s not enough to figure out if there are potential customers. Other factors such as supply chain, cultural considerations, and non-financial benefits also need to be taken into account.For an in-depth look at this episode, check out the full transcript below. Quotes have been edited for clarity and length.---Up Next in Commerce is brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Respond quickly to changing customer needs with flexible Ecommerce connected to marketing, sales, and service. Deliver intelligent commerce experiences your customers can trust, across every channel. Together, we’re ready for what’s next in commerce. Learn more at salesforce.com/commerce---Transcript:Stephanie:Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of Up Next In Commerce. This is your host, Stephanie Postles, co-Founder at mission.org. Today, on the show, we have Seth Goldman, the CEO of UrbanStems. Seth, welcome.Seth:Thank you, Stephanie. Great to be here.Stephanie:Yeah, I'm excited to have you. For anyone who does not know UrbanStems, can you tell me a bit about it?Seth:Sure. UrbanStems is a six-year-old old company that is the premier provider of direct to consumer florals.Stephanie:That's awesome, and how long have you been with the company?Seth:I've been at the company for about three and a half years.Stephanie:Cool. What brought you to UrbanStems and what was your background before?Seth:Yeah, so it was a person actually that brought me, the founder, Ajay Kori is a dear friend of mine, and we both worked at a company called Quidsi together, which was acquired by Amazon back in 2011, and we remained very close friends from that point on. I went off to a company called HelloFresh. He went off to found UrbanStems, and we reunited in 2017.Stephanie:That's great. What did you do at HelloFresh?Seth:Yeah, I was the CEO of the US business, helping to grow HelloFresh from its near infancy in the US to a much larger business, and it was a wild ride and I had a lot of fun doing it.Stephanie:That's great. It seems like a good company to get a lot of lessons from, to bring to UrbanStems, like similar problems maybe, or things to tackle.Seth:Absolutely, both in terms of the apps, specific product, a perishable product, and a complicated supply chain, as well as I'd say the softer skills in terms of scaling a business, scaling a team and the challenges that come along with that.Stephanie:Very cool. When you came into UrbanStems, what was going on back in 2017, and how has it changed since?Seth:Yeah. When I came on board, it was great. Ajay brought me in and asked me to help beef up the operations of the company. I'd say, as a consumer, the biggest difference between now and then is that you could only get UrbanStems in a few select cities across the US at that point, and we made a big decision to go nationwide in early 2018, and that's really helped us scale the business since then. Although, we really still love our city delivery method that we still have in New York and DC. It creates that really intimate relationship with the customer and their recipient. We hope to be able to do more of that going forward.Stephanie:Tell me a bit about how do you pick cities? Of course, if it's started in a certain city, you're probably going to launch there, but how would you go about picking which cities to start in and having that city method that you're talking about, is developing a good relationship in that city?Seth:It's a pretty simple exercise of figuring out which cities are likely to have enough revenue and an ROI on that city to get in there. We believe there probably around 30 cities that we could identify today that likely makes sense. In terms of which cities we'd prioritize next, we would really rely on data. That data would help us understand what would be the revenue opportunity, how quickly we might get there. From there, we would also layer on supply chain and we would try to figure out if that city was easier or more complex from a supply chain standpoint. Finally, we'd overlay brand. We'd try to understand if there were any idiosyncrasies of that city that made it more or less attractive. Then finally, we might say, does that city have any sort of non-financial strategic importance to our business?Stephanie:Oh, great. Okay. This is a very interesting topic that I actually have not talked to many people on the show, so I want to double click into all of those, if you're happy to go there with me.Seth:Sure, let's go.Stephanie:All right. When you're picking your cities, you're talking about developing which ones have an ROI, and then of course, looking into a bunch of data for rolling out to the next cities. How do you go about developing which cities will have a good ROI?Seth:Yeah. The great news is that we have data to show what revenue we have in those cities currently. We would have to do a deep dive analysis of what zip codes we thought we could actually deliver to, depending on the city, if it's a city that we could get in with bike messengers, as we currently do in New York and DC, or if it's a city that would force us to rely exclusively on cars, which is not a major concern although we really love our brand promise of delivering via bike where we can.Stephanie:That's fun.Seth:Yeah, we would then use analytics to understand where we stand in each city revenue versus where we think we might be able to get to, where we start to have to look at some proxy data. For example, Google can help us understand what we believe our penetration in that city is versus a benchmark say of New York or DC, where we currently have our strongest brand recognition. That could give us some guidance as to whether, if we're doing X dollars of revenue, do we think if we jump in, we can increase that by 25%, 50% or more than 100%? Then we have to partner with the marketing team to understand what sort of a marketing effort would be required to get us there within a year or 18 months to break even, which is sort of, not a hard rule, but it's sort of a general proxy of what we're going to be looking for.Stephanie:Okay. When it comes to that marketing effort, what kind of channels do you look for, especially when you're launching in a new city where maybe you're not well-known and it's like, this seems like a city maybe similar to DC, but we've never been there before? What kind of things do you explore to get those new customers and brand awareness?Seth:We have to probably devote certain on the ground marketing campaigns. It could be as simple as going to street fairs, it could be that we would take some sort of local radio or other sort of top of funnel awareness advertising out. Each city though, is really going to be unique. I think that's something that we've learned, even just having New York and DC, we see small differences in the average order value. We see small differences even between, say Manhattan and Brooklyn, in terms of the percentage of flowers versus plants that the consumers purchase. So, we'll have to do some research that helps us understand the consumer and then that would help us figure out which marketing channels would make sense. But we almost certainly would be more comfortable getting aggressive in awareness marketing when we jump into a new city, because the return on that investment should be pretty strong, given that when we get into a city, the conversion rate, we would expect to be higher on our ecommerce platform.Stephanie:Yeah. That's cool. I can also imagine if you have bike deliveries, like if they had the backpack with your logo and beautiful flowers sticking out of it. That in and of itself could be a great marketing tactic to spread word of mouth.Seth:Absolutely. That is an entire romantic vision is true, except hopefully for the flowers sticking out the back, because they should be in contained packaging.Stephanie:Oh yeah. I guess I would just buy all over the place if they're just sticking out. Huh.Seth:But we do have branded everything for our couriers, t-shirts and vests, the coveted sweatshirts and hoodies. In fact, one of the downfalls of our sort of head of delivery was that he designed a hoodie that was too well loved that, not to accuse our corporate team, but they started taking them in numbers that they shouldn't have so we had to place an extra order. It really is the most comfortable hoodie.Seth:But it accomplishes two goals. The first, as we discussed is, it's really nice branding and advertising for the company. The second is it helps make these employees in these remote locations feel more part of our broader and greater team and brand.Stephanie:Yeah. I love that. Are there any other on the ground methods like that, that you're experimenting with or that you are hopeful of to promote word of mouth in maybe a new and different way?Seth:It's interesting in, especially the last nine months, we probably pulled back on a lot of that for obvious reasons. I think that it's an area where we would experiment, but I think you also have to be careful because it's hard to measure the effectiveness of that spend it takes, not just monetary resources, but really time. One of the things that I noted when I came on board in 2017 is that my city managers were being asked to do a lot of these in-person events. We hadn't really thought through how much of their time was being taken and how to think about them as an operations manager versus a marketing manager when we had a lot of work to do to scale the operations of the business. I think people just have to be thoughtful and careful about the KPIs that they're going to measure people against.Seth:But the people who are responsible for budget, but also the people whose time is going to be taken during these events. The good news is that the people love doing the events. These small scale events were very popular for the staff that, even after I told them that they should pull back, I found out months later, they were still doing them because they enjoyed them, but then they would complain that they didn't have time for other things. It did have to lead to some alignment meetings.Stephanie:Yeah. That's a really good point. So, thinking about the next piece that you mentioned was layering on supply chain when rolling out into new cities. It seems really difficult of course, with fresh items. So, how do you all go about thinking about that in a new city and building out a good supply chain that makes sure the flowers don't just die in a warehouse or something?Seth:A very sort of blocking and tackling for our goods is that you have to have a refrigerator. It has to be something that you have confidence is going to maintain temperature at around 35 degrees. And you, say very simple things like just like you're developing any real estate, make sure you give enough time to build it out, so you're not under pressure, because it's hard to come back from that if you're forcing yourself to open up on January 1, but you just can't have the refrigerator installed before then, you're going to fail. Making sure you understand your lead times. But for our business, I'd say the most important thing is understanding the notes in our networks. We have a larger facility in the Greater DC Area that helps service our New York and DC same day delivery locations.Seth:We have to think through as we branch out to more cities, if so for example, Philadelphia, we could certainly service from the same Maryland facility with limited additional CapEx, with limited additional complexity added to our supply chain. As we think to the West Coast, or as we think to, say the big populations in Texas or in the upper Midwest, if we have a facility nearby, there may be synergies where we can pull product from there and deliver it to a local facility. I would say that the farther we get from our home base, in terms of miles, in terms of being three hours and three time zones behind, you have to just ... it's hard to model it out on paper, but you have to start to acknowledge that the difficulties, things that could get lost in translation. You go from having everyone on the same eight hour, 9:00 to 5:00, to only overlapping for five hours, that can just sort of add strain to the systems.Seth:If you're going to go to the West coast, have you hired someone, did you decide that you're going to spend three months having them on the East Coast, training up, learning your culture before you send them to the West Coast, or you're going to take a gamble and just hire them on the West Coast and through more Zoom calls and maybe someone flying to California, try to build them into the culture and the brand of the company? I think those are really important decisions that don't sound like supply chain decisions, but ultimately, really help you down the line when someone is going to have to make a lot of executive calls that will impact your supply chain and will impact your ability to be successful or not on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis.Stephanie:Yeah. I think that's so important around building culture and a team. I mean, especially right now, where everything is digital and companies are still having to hire and find the right people, and it's kind of hard over Zoom. I've interviewed some people over zoom and it's like, you don't really know if you know them or how many notes they have in front of them, or what's really going on. How do you guys go about building a relationship and hiring? I think earlier you mentioned having this connection economy, where everyone's on digital tools, but people still want to connect in the real world, but maybe you can't right now. How do you think about that with teams and cultures and hiring new people?Seth:Yeah, that's a great question. We actually have hired probably about half a dozen people since the lockdowns were initiated and since our corporate staff for the vast majority of folks have not gone into the office. I'd say that we had one key advantage, which was that, before March, we did have a team that was split between New York and DC, so it was not uncommon for us to be on video conferencing. That transition was, to some degree, at least natural. In terms of the hiring process, I'd say the hardest part, and one that we definitely still have not right, and I'll be honest, for some small company, we didn't have it right necessarily before the pandemic was the onboarding. That the team though has started to make headway, we've gotten our swag. We've actually pulled it from the various physical locations and people are getting a care package now when they are in their first week at the company.Seth:I make sure to reach out to new hires during their first week to just welcome them with a warm email and then tell them when they're feeling no longer overwhelmed that we'll have a 30 or 45 minute call with no specific agenda other than really getting to know each other. I can try to sprinkle a few of my thoughts around company mission and values into those calls. Seth:I think for hiring managers and/or senior executives out there, I would also say, it's not just you making sure you know them. If you have someone that you really like, how are they getting to know you and feeling it on both sides? That you have an easier time convincing them to come on board.Stephanie:Yeah. Are there any best tips that you recommend to make sure that the candidates get to know you because, especially over Zoom, it seems like people are always talking over each other, even with ... I was talking earlier about internet, the video's not on, I had to turn it off. Is there anything that you guys practice to make sure that, not only are you getting to know the candidates, but also that they feel comfort with you and can ask questions and feel confident about that?Seth:Yeah, so we do as much as possible try to do video rather than just phone call interviews. I guess you could make arguments that that's better or worse, but it certainly allows people to respond to facial expressions, queues when it looks like someone is about to speak so you can try not to talk over them. I do reserve the last 15 minutes of every interview to allow the interviewee to ask me questions. That's both for them, and also, I secretly am looking to see how prepared someone is by the quality and thoughtfulness of the questions that they ask. If anyone is local, I will try to meet with them in person. We have to be thoughtful about that. Let's say we have two candidates and one is in New York and one is in DC, and we haven't crossed this bridge yet, but how do we make sure there's no implicit bias that we're pushing for the person that we met in person? But we try to have a variety of interviewers for each role. I think we've done a pretty good job with that.Stephanie:Okay, cool. Thinking through bringing on new employees, the first thing that's coming to my mind is scaling companies, something you've had quite a bit of success with around HelloFresh and now UrbanStems. I wanted to hear a little bit about how you think about scaling companies, whether it's at UrbanStems or HelloFresh or anything in the past that you've worked on.Seth:Yeah. I think what I try to do is, when I do have a moment to step back, is look at each function within the business, or I look what our plan is, where are we expected to get to over the next year? Whether that's our revenue mark, whether that's improvement along other KPIs or important metrics, and I try to pair that against each function. Is each function at a point where they can make that leap without any additional people? Are they at a point where they can make that leap but they'll need to improve just process? Do they need technology investments in their function in order to be more successful? We are nowhere near perfect on this, but each year we've gotten better. Our planning process is in the sort of June/July timeframe, of talking through what that plan is, and each team trying to think through what they will need to be successful there.Seth:I would say that stepping back where you run into problems, and it's sort of dual-edged sword, is if you put cash out and investments ahead of growth, you can get yourself in trouble. But you can also get yourself in trouble if you put growth ahead of investment. It is a dangerous game. I think, when it comes to hiring people we try to be thoughtful. It's also, what level are you hiring at? That's something you'll often hear me say to the team if they ask for another resource. To me, it's most important that we get that right level right. Very different to hire an associate versus even someone with two or three years of experience where you're saying, we just could not be successful, we hired someone just out of college. My next question will almost assuredly be, why?Seth:And managing the specific work that someone needs to do against the experience that you're saying is required. You don't want to hire someone too senior to do junior level work. They won't find it satisfying. There is such a thing as overqualified. Then on the flip side, you have to be careful what you can expect of someone more junior and what level of accountability and ownership you can place on them. I think, to me, that's the most important thing, is making sure you're hiring it to the right level, that everyone is aligned, that this role is needed. The reality is, in almost any startup, you're going to have a whole slew of resources that are not yet hired that people think are necessary, and trying to at least agree on alignment on when those might get prioritized.Seth:If something comes up that accelerates something, that happens too. That can throw a wrench in plans and you have to walk people through that that's happening and have conversations, well, hey, how did this new role cut in line ahead of the others? That can be hard, but you have to do it.Stephanie:I've definitely seen that in the past. At previous companies I've been at, I worked in finance, and every team always wanted headcount. Everyone always had a reason and were pretty good at justifying why they need those people. How do you go about spotting those opportunities of like, this is an area that obviously needs investment and I see growth coming after that? How do you actually think through finding the opportunities when they seem like they're pretty hard to spot? What's holding what up to create growth or to create exponential growth in the future?Seth:Yeah. I would say that you're sort of hiring for two reasons. One is growth, like you said, we're truly, there's a revenue or a profit or a customer experience opportunity that's not yet ... We can't go after because we don't have someone on the team. The other is that we're, I don't want to say things are crumbling, but sort of this more fixing the foundational type hires that you have a critical process that's not being executed the way you want. That's where you have to start to lean in and understand, is that a process technology or a resource issue? Once you get comfort that that's a resource issue, from my standpoint, typically that's a pretty easy hire, because, unless you have invested in something that's causing friction, that itself is not worth investing in, that hire will pay for themselves financially, because they're going to unblock something that, that is important to be unblocked.Seth:That's how I get comfortable with those kinds of hires. On the revenue side, if it's creating something new, you can run ROI models. Sometimes you can do those in your head. Sometimes you put them down on paper. Then for other functions, sometimes it is a little bit of taking a risk. For example, it was about a year or 18 months ago that we decided we needed a stronger social presence. We weren't sure exactly what that meant financially, but we brought someone on board on our brand director, Megan's team. After a few months, we started to really see results. We were really impressed. We managed to, in the last 18 months, five X on our Instagram following, not that that's the be all and end all of KPIs. Then for the sort of CFO in me, we started to see revenue, directly attributable revenue follow that.Seth:I think the other thing that, this is where managers have to do, is they have to sometimes take a risk. They say, there's a resource I'm really asking for, this is what I think it will return, and when they have something pan out, they are able to probably come to that next meeting with an ask with a little more confidence themselves, and with the, me again wearing my CFO hat, and me having more confidence to say yes to that opportunity.Stephanie:That's cool. I like you wearing your CFO hat. I appreciate that with a background in finance. You just mentioned, which I'm now I'm sure a lot of people are like, well, tell me how you grew your social, because that is an avenue that obviously a lot of brands are relying on and it's becoming even more important with the ability to click and buy on social, or at least it's headed in that direction. What did you guys do to grow your social presence?Seth:Yeah, so the very first thing we did is, like I mentioned, hire a dedicated resource, someone who spends probably 75% plus of her time thinking through our social channels and how we can become more influential there. Second is, once we started to see some results there, we added a SaaS software platform that helped us assess which visuals were going to be more engaging for our customer base. We did, though still have conversations, interestingly enough, the photos that I'd say I prefer from a brand perspective, those with people in them significantly underperform those of just flowers.Stephanie:Oh, interesting. This is a piece of tech that you guys were utilizing to figure out which ones like, which images would you best?Seth:Yeah. I actually don't know how precise it is, but it certainly helped us. We didn't need that to tell us that people underperformed flowers, but even just different variants of a similar image, they were able to pretty convincingly predict which one was going to outperform. Obviously we are betting on engagement, at least these measurable engagement statistics mattering. I think one of the hardest things in social is understanding what matters and what doesn't. Like I said, having our Instagram following at 150,000 versus at 30,000, where it was, we think that is directionally very good, is that, can I quantify what that means for our company? No. Will we continue to push to increase our reach. Absolutely. Are we seeing that increased reach is translating into direct revenue? Yes. Is that our only goal? No.Seth:Do we know the relationship between directly attributable revenue and non-attributable revenue? No, we have no idea if that even is the same month over month. But these investments that we made in a resource, training her, we actually had some, at one point also gave a green light to bring on an intern so that our full-time hire could manage up and start to add strategy to how she was thinking through, not just executing every day, and that's been great. We talked about that. How much is this going to cost? What is this person going to do? It was a pretty quick decision. But because it wasn't a ton of money, but even there, what I think is still critical is that someone comes to the table with that analysis done that's thoughtful, and that they seek to justify any investment, whether it's $100,000 or $1 million or $1,000.Seth:It just gets people in the discipline habit of understanding that money is going to be invested or not across teams, and it's not ... there's not an infinite amount of it. Stephanie:That's very cool. Now that your social person is able to start managing up, what kind of tactics or strategies are they hoping to implement over the next couple of years? What are they saying they believe in, or they want to try or test out?Seth:Yeah. I think a big buzz word in social is influencer. One of the things I've said is, if Oprah came out and endorsed UrbanStems, I don't know if that would even help us because our website would probably crash. We'd be out of stock on inventory in the next 20 minutes, and we'd enrage all of our good customers who came back and sold out. So, we have to think through how we would even execute that, but the team is bullish that, that matters. So, we're trying to think through that. I certainly also believe in content. The team believes in that. So, expect the we'll invest more in content. It's no secret that video content outperforms static photo content. So, looking at that, but it's also no surprise to anyone that videos are a lot more expensive to make than taking photos.Seth:You have to figure out what your budget is. You have to still be able to test very scrappily. I still will always believe in that, some of the best content is always going to be UGC. Some of the best content is going to be filmed in an iPhone, or for suckers like me, Samsung Galaxies. It's about mixing that with the more professionally created content, figuring out where and when to spend bigger, both from a photography standpoint and from a video. For example, the team did a wonderful job. This Thanksgiving, we have a dedicated lining page, which features video for the first time on the site.Stephanie:Oh nice.Seth:I'm really excited about that, testing it and testing more of that. With everything digital, the best thing is that you can always AB test that. Even if you spent a ton of money on something, I still encourage you to AB test it, to ensure that it's working. If you want to AB tested at 80% with the video and 20% control without so that you get more out there, that's fine. It'll just take a little longer to get the results of that test.Stephanie:Yeah, that's great. I appreciate you letting us look into the future with you and your team. I'm sure that you're probably like, ah, I don't want people bringing this up anymore. That's so three years ago. However, it came to my mind when you were talking about Oprah and if she were to endorse you guys and you could sell out, and their website will crash. It brings me back to, of course what happened in 2017 that I think a lot of people could learn from, who are listening, around, I think there was like a Valentine's day snafu where you had too many orders and the website maybe crashed or something. Tell me a little bit about that and what you guys have ... what actually happened, what are the details on it? I know you weren't there, but what are the details? What have you learned from it? And what do things look like today?Seth:Yeah. No, I wasn't, but I don't think that's the sort of important part of the story. I think, in three short words, we messed up. We did not fully understand how we were going to execute the holiday. It was unfortunate that it was on Valentine's day, which is one of these two days a year that everyone looks to flower companies to sort of solve their buying need, which is to get flowers delivered. We were better at marketing than we were at executing that year. We learned a lot. I think that that's the most important thing, which is we learned that we needed a more sophisticated plan. That plan needed to be backed by data. To be honest, this is why I came in. This is why Ajay asked me to come into the business, which was to help figure it out for the next year.Seth:The first thing I did was I talked to people. I got the stories. I started sharing those stories around to make sure that they matched with what people thought went wrong. I started to look at data, and data helped me craft a plan. One thing that I actually think I did really well is that we had the data and we had the plan, and we just kept going over the plan. I think that is one of those things that, for people who would like to move quickly, can infuriate you. It's infuriated me at times. The number of times that I think we had to go over the plan or that we went over it was well into the double digits, just reviewing and reviewing, but we were successful and it wasn't just that we fixed everything from the previous year.Seth:In fact, we had to make changes that had nothing to do with people making mistakes. We had just pushed too many orders into certain physical facilities than we could handle. Our tech had not been robustly tested to meet the peak needs by a combination of looking at data and incorporating feedback from people who had gone through it. We were able to create a plan that was, again, based in numbers and efficiency metrics, and a realistic execution, still stretched by all means. We did not pull back. But to the credit of Ajay, he brought me in, and he gave me the green light to bring in some additional resources, which I did. We did some new things. We delivered for the first time in the company's history via a third party parcel carrier that allowed us to take orders that we otherwise wouldn't have been able to take.Seth:We had an on-time rate of about 98% to 99%. So, it was a nice reversal from the previous year. The way we phrase it with the team is, it's three and a half years ago, so it's, we don't dwell on it. But we do remember it, and we remember it as a way of motivating ourselves to make sure that our plans have been vetted, thought through, are based in data and have been shared with the team well enough in advance so they feel confident in their ability to execute them.Stephanie:Yep. What are some of the biggest data points that you looked at? When you were coming in or when you reviewed what actually happened, what were some of the biggest things that stood out where you were like, oh, was it the website crashing because it was the tech stack? Was it the supply chain? What specific things were the biggest contributors that maybe any new company can learn from of like, oh, if I'm setting up a similar type business, I need to look for this, this and this. If Oprah decides to come out and give me a shout out.Seth:Yeah. And Oprah, if you're listening, we will still take the shout out.Stephanie:Yeah, send it our way.Seth:But I think the challenge was, when I got ... everyone thought it was everything. It was really important to help people compartmentalize. It actually brought me back to a course in business school. I feel like, in many respects, I was one of the only people, one of the only ones of my friends who actually learned something in business. I remember taking an operations course and it talked about a factory that made, I forget if it was chocolates or chairs, it almost doesn't matter, and they said it was an assembly line and it took a minute to make the first chocolate. The chocolate had to go through, it doesn't even matter, let's call it six steps that each took 10 seconds, and it said, how many chocolates can you make in an hour? I got it wrong.Seth:I said, well, you can make 60. It takes a minute to make each chocolate. It turns out that there were six, like I said, six steps, each were 10 seconds. So, you can actually make six a minute, or 360 an hour. My mind was blown. It was really cool to figure out how an assembly works, what throughput is. I went to a Chipotle just to observe it in action, to find out what the bottleneck was and to figure out actually how a company like Chipotle does an amazing job at lunchtime. It's actually the cashier who typically is the bottleneck. So, you can see they add an extra cashier. Sometimes it's the first person who has to do both your burrito and the meat. So, you'll see they have an extra person who just does the meat. If you ever want to understand operations one-on-one in action, go to a Chipotle at peak time.Stephanie:Oh, that's good. I'll be looking at police so differently now.Seth:What really I just had to understand, and what was clear to me is they hadn't really done that kind of analysis to look at throughput, how many orders can be packed out. We also have to ... people kept telling you what the bottleneck is. The bottleneck is basically where your business chokes, what's the slowest part of your operation. People kept telling me things that ... and then I would say, well, how long does it take to do this? And I would write down the answer, and the numbers they gave me did not match with it being a bottleneck, which either meant that it wasn't the bottleneck, or that it took a lot longer than what they thought.Seth:The key thing was keep digging, keep trying to understand, is it ... because at the end of the day, the math will be the truth that you can use. But if your assumption is based on faulty math, then it's just garbage math. So, you have to look at the operation in action and you have to understand, so for example, with us printing out these custom note cards, whereas it's the note that you wanted for your mother for Mother's Day, right? That's what makes every UrbanStems order unique, besides the fact that you get to pick the bouquet you want and the ad-ons that are specific to your order, which took a lot of technological build hardware and software, to be honest, but it's that note card.Seth:I was told, "This is our bottleneck," and I said, "Well, how long does it take to print a note card?" And they said, "Five seconds." I said, well, it takes a lot longer to pack out an order than five seconds. That can't be. But then I started to lean in, and it turns out that they would print 20 of these note cards at a time, and then they would organize these into a folder, and then they would put the folder away, and then they would bring the folder back out when they were ready to pack out. What was five seconds, when I did all the math, ended up being a minute, and you couldn't even do them one by one, like in the chocolate example, because you had to get 20 chocolates assembled at once. You had to wait for 20 of those chocolates to go down to the end of the assembly line before. So, if you ever got behind, the time to catch up was significant.Stephanie:Oh, wow. That's really Interesting, about like something where you're like, oh no, that's not the problem. Then being like, oh, actually your process is the biggest part of the problem.Seth:Exactly. This is a very cool evolution. People who have not been at the company for at least two years, don't understand. With a bottleneck, you have two solutions. You either make it more effective or you add resources to the bottleneck. The first year that's what we did. We had five of our most analytical people, five very smart people who just on Valentine's day helped us print them. As absurd as that sounds, that's what we did. We just overwhelmed the process with resources. This past year, the tech team and the supply chain team got together and they completely reinvented. Now, every single order is sent to a specific person's queue that ties to their physical desk, and there's a printer at every station and that printer prints out one note card at a time that's tied to that a specific order. Now, it takes five seconds to print an old card, and it is no longer a bottleneck.Stephanie:Yeah. That's great. It seems like there'd be a lot less room for things to get lost. I mean, if everything's in a folder and you're trying to sort through it, [crosstalk] maybe picking up the wrong notes and you'd be like, hey grandma, and be like, oh, this is the wrong note that got sent out. It seems a lot more. Yeah. You're not going to have any errors doing it this way now.Seth:Yeah. The error rate, both reported and for sure, actual declined. We also saw that our throughput overall went up by 50%, 60%, 70%, and we could train people on this new system much faster. Those five people that I mentioned that had to be in that room on Valentine's day now don't have to be in that room.Stephanie:Yep. That was very good reminders about bottlenecks. I think it's very encouraging for every new brand to kind of look into that and really dive deep. So, yeah, I love that example. All right. The couple of minutes left, let's jump over to the lightning round brought to you by Salesforce Commerce Cloud. This I'm going to ask you a question and you have a minute or less to answer. Are you ready, Seth?Seth:I am ready.Stephanie:All right. We'll start with the hardest one first. What one thing will have the biggest impact on ecommerce in the next year?Seth:The one thing that'll have the biggest impact on ecommerce is FedEx and UPS.Stephanie:Okay. Tell me a bit more.Seth:Yeah. Their ability to grow and sustain their supply chains and deliver on time is going to be critical to, in the next 13 months, they're going to have two holiday seasons, and either a lot of happy customers or a lot of unhappy customers. It'll be really interesting, your 800 pound gorilla. Amazon is highly confident because they've largely disintermediated their over-reliance on UPS. In fact, FedEx and Amazon, they're divorced for the most part. I think that their ability to continue to shift to ecommerce to add Saturday and Sunday delivery nationwide to do FedEx, and UPS delivery to do ground deliveries next day, seven days a week, based on a previous day pickup, all of these things are going to either allow ecommerce to continue to blossom or hold it back. Also, what's very unclear is how much they're going to raise rates in January. Typical years call it 3% to 6%. There is a lot of concern that they could be above, and potentially well above that 6%, and what does that do to demand?Stephanie:Yep. Yeah, that's a really good answer. What one topic or thing do you wish you knew more about?Seth:One topic or a thing.Stephanie:[crosstalk] technology or ...Seth:I've been in and around physical product ecommerce businesses. I think getting more in the data and technology side is always the right ... that is always the future. I love being in consumer businesses. I love the ability to ask almost anyone about the product or service that I'm working with and trying to lead forward and getting their opinion and having that opinion matter. That's the joy and the challenge of ecommerce, but certainly getting deeper into data, getting deeper in technology is something I'm going to encourage anyone, especially anyone young, certainly what I'm going to get my kids into.Stephanie:Yep. I love that. If you were to have a podcast, what would it be about, and who would your first guest be?Seth:I think it would be about brands that do it right. I think that I so admire people who build iconic brands, and it goes back to this consumer side of things, but to me, it's looking at these revered brands and whether they are the Phil Knights, Nikes of the world, Reed Hastings and Netflix, or some lesser known smaller brands. I'm always so impressed with people who take the leap to do it. Those, especially who do it without raising significant amounts of capital and create something that just clicks and resonates with consumers, because I think we can all learn that. I find that I've been around companies that have done a nice mix of brand and execution, that have focused so much on execution. I think it's something that I'm good at, and I've been around other people that have been good at it. Maybe it's because of that, that I so admire the folks, those creative, just truly creative visionaries on the branding side.Stephanie:I love that. And who would you pick to bring on as your first guest?Seth:Who would I pick to bring on as my first guest? I guess, not that Reed Hastings would agree, but Netflix ...Stephanie:He might.Seth:Netflix so transformed and based on an industry that could have gotten there, had they seen it coming. In fact, I think at some point he had discussed with them with blockbuster buying out the business, and they dismissed him. I'm sure he has fabulous stories. I'm not so interested in actually the last three years where they've been a powerhouse. I'm really interested in those first years when he struggled, when he kept the faith when things were not going well, how he saw the future when others didn't, how he pivoted from CDs delivered, when he knew it was the time to digital and build something big and special, how he hired people in those early years and got them convinced it was going to be big and special. Those are the questions that are ... and/or now getting the best and the brightest is easy, given the company that they've built. But it's those early years that I'd be really excited to learn about.Stephanie:Yep. Yeah, I love that. I think we have the same kind of passion, and you would probably like one of our other podcasts called the story, because it's about people like that. We did retastings Phil Knight, We do Elon Musk, and it talks about the early days, how they got started and then you guess their identity at the end, because you wouldn't actually all the things they went through to build the companies that they did. You have to check that out.Seth:Very good. I will.Stephanie:All right, Seth. Well, this has been a great interview. Where can people find out more about you and UrbanStems?Seth:Yeah, UrbanStems is the company name and it's also our website, so urbanstems.com will get you there. If you want, you can also reach out to me, seth.goldman@urbanstems. I'd be happy to chat with you. I'd be happy to provide you with a promo code on your first order. We love people enjoying flowers, and more importantly, we love people sending gratitude to people that they care about.Stephanie:Awesome. Love that. Thanks so much, Seth.Seth:Thank you so much, Stephanie. Bye.

On today’s season finale, we discuss the “modern floral experience” with Director of Press & Partnerships Megan Darmody of UrbanStems! She tells us about the state of the industry, how gifting behaviors have changed since the pandemic (self-sending, anyone?), and why brands shouldn’t be selfish when it comes to sharing the spotlight.

UrbanStems is announcing that it has raised $12 million in Series B funding. CEO Seth Goldman told me the startup has already been using the money to expand nationally. He explained that UrbanStems now has two delivery models — there are bike couriers who deliver plants and flowers within two hours in New York City and Washington, D.C. (where the company is headquartered), and then there's a third-party shipping partner who offers next-day delivery to anywhere else in the United States.

The best way to prepare to run your own startup is to learn from one of the best. Ajay Kori got to work under Marc Lore and learn from an eCommerce master before launching his own company.    Ajay founded UrbanStems in 2014 to fix a flower delivery industry that was institutionally broken. The company offers same-day, on-demand delivery in New York & DC, while offering nationwide next-day shipping.    The company has raised millions of dollars from top VC firms including SWaN & Legend, The Motley Fool, Kevin Plank & Under Armour, and NextGenVentures.    In this discussion, you’ll hear Aaron & Ajay discuss the challenges associated with scaling a team, the meta-entrepreneurial skill set that can apply anywhere, and what was broken about the flower business.   Ajay’s Challenge; Keep a journal where you write down what you’re grateful for every day.   Connect with Ajay Instagram Linkedin UrbanStems Website ajay@urbanstems.com   If you liked this interview, check out episode 340 with Craig Markovitz where we discuss building $300M in shareholder value, commercializing technology out of universities, and finding a purpose behind your business.   ALLEN GANNETT KEYNOTE https://youtu.be/8XKHw5MyHSE   Underwritten by Piper Creative Piper Creative creates podcasts, vlogs, and videos for companies.    Our clients become better storytellers.    How? Click here and Learn more.   We work with Fortune 500s, medium-sized companies, and entrepreneurs.   Sign up for one of Piper’s weekly newsletters. We curate links to Expand your Mind, Fill your Heart, and Grow your Tribe.   Follow Piper as we grow YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay

In this episode of Taking notes, Dan Mindus (managing partner at NextGen) and Ajay Kori (co-founder and chairman at UrbanStems) discuss the broken flower industry and Ajay's motivations for entering the space, why Amazon is unlikely to compete here and why he handed off his position as UrbanStems' chief executive officer.

UrbanStems co-founder and chairman Ajay Kori talks Valentine's Day, subscriptions, and sustainability. Plus headlines from Prima and the "click-to-buy-to-make" model for e-commerce.

Joe and Tom have a furious debate about forestry. And right after Joe locks down a sweet deal from UrbanStems.com, Tom is made uncomfortable by the sexual habits of bonobos. It's yet another great listening experience. 

Ajay Kori knew nothing about the floral business. But after too many bad experiences when ordering flowers online, he devised a brand-new supply chain, from the growing process through delivery within hours of an order. On this episode of Retail Gets Real, UrbanStems CEO and co-founder Kori talks about how the startup is upending the online flower industry — and how it turned a disastrous Valentine’s Day into an advantage.

This panel discussion, moderated by Tyler Art History junior Fiona Fackler, will focus on Temple alumni who have taken the path less traveled, doing unexpected things with their Temple Degrees. Panelists include: Melissa Alam, Femme and Fortune; Sara Strugger, Hugh Wood, Inc,; Michael Latini, Monkey Boys Productions; Erica Hawthorne-Manon, Small But Mighty Arts; Christanna Ciabattoni, Skai Blue Media and Jereme Holiman, UrbanStems.  If you're looking for the resume resource that Sara made in her remarks about creating a better resume, you'll find that here: enhancv.com.

Ajay Kori - Co-founder of UrbanStems Summary: Ajay Kori is leading UrbanStems on their mission to deliver happiness one flower bouquet at a time. While doing so, he is upending the flower delivery business.

Ajay is a founders dream having been a pivotal player in several startups including Quidsi, and autodream.com, both which have since been acquired by major organizations. His latest venture? You may have heard of it … UrbanStems the charming is a DC-grown tech startup aiming to make anyone look like a hero. By utilizing new technologies and a curated selection of flowers, we allow you to send a hand-crafted bouquet to anyone in the District, delivered within an hour or so, for $35 - all inclusive.