Send us a text In this holiday season opener of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers , we’re thrilled to welcome John Marks, a true next-gen entrepreneur who has turned his passion for creating into a thriving enterprise. From selling wreaths and candies to launching his own ribbon line and TV show, John’s journey is a testament to the power of organic growth, hard work, and staying true to oneself. Known for his signature “Hey y’all!” videos, John has used social media to educate, connect, and open doors...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 144
Send us a text It's giving...Thanks. Our 2024 Thanksgiving special episode is now served. Whether you're working or eating, listen in as the Fatty Gang discusses hot Thanksgiving topics. Ryan is back from Japan and gives us a quick insight on his trip to Japan, we discuss what the f* happened to the Fall flower season and more. Be sure to email us 2FatGuys@jetfreshflowers.com and share your Thanksgiving thoughts, or make suggestions for future episodes, guests and topics!...
Nov 28, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 143
Send us a text In this 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers episode , we sit down with Frank Biddle, the fearless founder of FBI Flowers and Tradwinds International. With over 30 years of experience in every corner of the floral industry, Frank has seen it all — from the highs and lows of flower importing and exporting to the adventures of running a successful, global operation. Frank shares some unforgettable, nail-biting stories from his decades in the business and offers insights into how floral pros c...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 142
Send us a text On this episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers , Mike and Fern sit down with the Jet Fresh team members who recently traveled to the Netherlands for the 2024 International Floriculture Trade Fair (IFTF)! Dan, Jimi, Connor, and Anahi joined Mike on this floral adventure, and they're back to share their favorite moments- from picturesque canals and fragrant lilacs to meeting top breeders and witnessing the famous flower auction. With this year's IFTF shaping up to be the biggest yet,...
Nov 15, 2024•56 min
Send us a text In this creatively charged and business-focused episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers , we sit down with Kelsey Thompson CFD, AIFD, a nationally acclaimed floral designer and owner of Bloom in Algona, Iowa. Winner of the prestigious SAF Sylvia Cup in 2022, Kelsey is known for her love of floral design and marketing. Beyond her design skills, Kelsey has a deep passion for education and frequently speaks on her business and floral design expertise. Kelsey's journey is one of inspira...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 140
Send us a text In this episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers, we are joined by our fabulous friend, Dr. Reverend Rob Gooljar. Gooljar is the face and hair behind IRIS Blossom, a luxury retail and event florist serving clients in Charlotte, North Carolina, the greater South Florida area, and globally through travel. Listen in as we discuss Rob's backstory, his heritage, his path to a PhD in Geology, Island Iris, Greek weddings, and how he turned a creative outlet into an award-winning & multi...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 139
Send us a text Get ready to tune in for a good time on this week’s episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers ! We’re channeling our excitement as we sit down with the one and only J Schwanke, AAF, AIFD, CFD, PFCI—the creative mastermind behind J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom . J's hit show airs nationwide on public television, bringing floral magic into over 415 markets across the USA. With six seasons and 81 episodes in rotation, J’s show is quickly becoming a classic, earning him comparisons to TV icon...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Send us a text In this episode, we're thrilled to chat with the one and only Donald Yim! From his humble beginnings as a delivery truck driver in his sister's flower shop in Hong Kong to becoming an award-winning designer and educator, Donald shares his incredible journey. With over 35 years of experience, Donald’s story is packed with inspiration, optimism, and practical tips like the importance of being prepared and the power of social media. Tune in as we dive into his fascinating career, his...
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 137
Send us a text Ep. 136 - Expo Flor Ecuador 2024 - Live From Quito with Jet Fresh GrowersThis week's episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers takes listeners on an international trip to ExpoFlores Flor Ecuador, where the Jet Fresh Flower Growers team has unveiled a groundbreaking product for the North American floral market. The introduction of VIP Choco and Wax Roses, now cultivated at Jet Fresh's farm in Cotopaxi, Ecuador. In this episode, Ryan and the marketing team to delve into the creative pro...
Oct 11, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 136
Send us a text In this week’s episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers , we’re thrilled to welcome Paige Kennicott Jaques of Kennicott Kuts! Join us as Paige takes us on a journey back to 1836, sharing her family’s rich history in the floral industry from the horse and buggy days to today. As an 8th generation floral professional, she reflects on her childhood spent on the farm and in the wholesale house, revealing how she and her growing family continue to embrace this vibrant industry. We dive in...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 135
Send us a text On this week’s 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers episode , we chat with the enchanting Talia Craig of Petunia’s Floral! Talia shares her unique journey from a successful hairstylist to a floral specialist after a life-changing accident. After a little binge-watching of Bob Ross during Covid she swapped her hair scissors for floral wire and began her floral journey. Talia found a great appreciation for finding creative balance in her business and focused on creating stunning fairy crowns ...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 134
Send us a text This week on 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers, we're chatting about the importance of community with special guest Valerie Crisostomo, the founder of Black Girl Florist. Valerie takes us on her professional journey from event management to her growing world of flowers, where she discovered her passion for designing and created a much-needed community. Despite the challenges, she thrives while nurturing her two beloved "babies" - her floral companies, Pink & Blooms and One Soul Event...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Send us a text Fatties bring out your cheer gear and get ready for an uplifting episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers ! With Fern and Ryan out, Mike has brought in a special guest, Rodi Groot, a powerhouse in the floral world. Rodi, a second-generation Dutch floral expert, shares the fascinating journey of how he and his team launched their new floral company, Groot in Flowers. From his roots in Amsterdam to his new home in California, Rodi uses memorable sports milestones to narrate his story. ...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 132
Send us a text Join us for a special episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers as we hand the mics over to a dynamic group of rising floral Next Gen’s. With Mike and Fern taking a break, a powerhouse lineup of floral friends from across the United States steps in to save the day. From discussing puzzles and essential tech tools to exploring Gen Z lingo and the exciting upcoming Next Gen live events, this episode is packed with laughs, floral messages and lively conversation. Tune in to hear from ind...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 131
Send us a text Join us in this momentous episode as we welcome a true trailblazer in the world of flowers, Caroline Marshall-Foster. Broadcasting all the way from the UK, Caroline is a 3rd generation floral professional who has woven her rich family heritage into the pages of modern floral history books. As the head honcho of Florist Magazine , Purple Spotted Media , and the Good Florist Guide , Caroline brings a wealth of knowledge, innovation, and passion to the podcast. Caroline has dedicated...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Send us a text This week on 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers , we’re thrilled to have the sensational Alexander Campbell—social media’s floral maestro with a whopping 1.3 million followers! Alexander’s journey is as colorful as his creations, from arranging blooms with his mum and Grandma Queenie to studying floral design in London and sprinkling magic in Madrid. Find out how his TikTok flower mash-ups rocketed him to fame and how he crafted stunning bouquets for DisneyWorld. From dazzling his followe...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 129
Send us a text Fore! In this week’s Two Fat Guys Talking Flowers episode, we’re swinging into action with a special live recording from the 2nd Annual Blooms + Birdies Golf Tournament at Normandy Shores Country Club! The event was a hole-in-one, bringing together industry pros for a day of fun, flowers, and philanthropy—all in support of the Society of American Florists' (SAF) Advocacy efforts. With a slice of the golf sales and the incredible backing of over 22 sponsors, Blooms + Birdies chippe...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Send us a text In this week's episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers, we are a "Fatty down" missing Fernando but Mike, Mimi, Ryan, and Joel brought in a knowledgeable special guest, Carmen Marquez Campbell of Ball Horticulture to keep up the energy. You may have met Carmen at one of the very many trade shows and fairs around the world, and you've definitely seen her company's flowers in your coolers. Grab a pint of Rocky Road and tune in as we get to know more about Carmen, her past relationship ...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Send us a text Get ready for a laugh and a good time on this week's episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers! Our special guest is none other than Dennis Wheeler, the national sales manager for Chrysal USA. Join us as we hear all about Dennis's journey from the nursery to navigating the interview processes of the flower industry. With 30 years of experience in post-harvest sales, Dennis spills the T-Bag on valuing relationships over spreadsheets, shares his top sales tips, and reveals his two "wow"...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 126
Send us a text Step right up, Ladies and Gentlemen! You won’t want to miss this week’s episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers . True to our catchphrase, we deliver the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. We kick things off with the exciting news that Connor Black, son #5, has officially joined the Jet Fresh Family. We welcome Connor onto the podcast, and with just a few days under his belt in the Cash & Carry, he’s already proving to be a pro. For all our Fatties heading to Miami for the SAF Convent...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Send us a text In this week's special episode of #2FatGuysTalkingFlowers we sit down with Kim Williams and Ralph Giordano, AIFD, CFD, FSMD, FPCF, CEJ of Giordano's Floral Creations in For Pierce, FL. In this fun episode, we review all the excitement and action from July's 2024 AIFD Symposium "Emerge" in Orlando (of which Ralph is the treasurer and part of the "Core Four" planning team.) As well as Giordano's recent Petals and Paws event, a fundraiser and open house geared to help raise money for...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Send us a text Grab your pens and paper, ladies and gentlemen, because this insightful episode of "2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers" is one you don’t want to miss! Join the Fatty team as we speak with Dr. Charlie Hall and SAF’s Amanda Jedlinskey for a preview of next month's educational session at the SAF Convention. Dr. Hall shares his expertise on the current economic landscape and the impacts of an election year on the economy. Discover fascinating studies and research about the significant effects...
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Send us a text Get ready for an inspiring and entertaining episode of #2FatGuysTalkingFlowers where Fern, Mike, and the gang glimpse into the magical mind of FLWR PSTL! FLWR PSTL, the mad scientist and creative mind behind Haus of Stems a botanical art studio based in Los Angeles, CA. Home of the original iridescent anthurium and the all-new iridescent cymbidium "Zorchids!" Listen in as we talk through FLWR PSTL's corporate past, art background, where she was when Katy Perry slid into her DM's, ...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Send us a text In this groovy episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers, Mike, Fern and the gang are joined by Stephanie and Madison Johnson of Posie's Flower Truck. Listen in as we find out why and how Stephanie stepped away from 2 successful Marketing and IT companies and into a vintage VW Bus full of flowers. Fast forward a few years and now it's a family business with her daughter and 8 VW buses in the fleet, spreading flowers all around Tampa Bay, Sarasota and Winter Park, FL. More about Posies...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Send us a text All about AIFD with Lori Novak, AIFD. Welcome to another episode of Fat Guys Talking Flowers ! This week, we chat with Lori Novak about everything AIFD. With the Symposium just weeks away and registration closing soon, we provide a sneak peek into the industry's biggest design show. Lori, a true AIFD superstar, has attended every Symposium since the late '80s. The AIFD® National Symposium is more than just a flower show; it’s the premier event for floral design education. This yea...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Send us a text Get ready for a patriotic and fun episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers! We're thrilled to welcome the podcast's official #1 Fangirl, Tracy Parke from House of Flora Flower Market. Tracy, a proud 4th generation florist, shares her family’s floral history and her heartwarming journey of discovering our podcast. Her discovery led her to last year’s challenge for Memorial Day Flowers, which she embraced wholeheartedly. Tracy drove 6 hours from Connecticut to Arlington Cemetery to hon...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Send us a text This week, we’re thrilled to have Marco Groot, CEO of Hilverda de Boer USA, join us for a fun episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers. Marco shares all about Hilverda de Boer, a floral powerhouse with over 100 years of history, renowned worldwide as one of the Netherlands' largest exporters of cut flowers. Listen to Marco’s floral journey which began in the Netherlands, where his grandfather was a bulb farmer. Marco’s path took a twist at 15, thanks to a close friend, the allure of ...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Send us a text Welcome to a monumental episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers ! Today, we have the honor of hosting all the Armellini siblings together, providing a unique glimpse into the history and future of their family business. Join us as we sit down with the five siblings, originally from New Jersey, who share heartwarming and hilarious stories from their childhood—rubber band pranks and box weight requirements included! Discover what it was like growing up in a family deeply rooted in the...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Send us a text This week on 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers, we are thrilled to be joined by Arnold Wittkamp of Thursd.com. Arnold shares his floral story, taking us on a journey down memory lane through Amsterdam. Initially aiming to follow a traditional educational route to satisfy his parents, Arnold soon found his true calling in the floral world. Combining his experience in flowers and business, Arnold mastered many aspects of the plant and flower industry. From his early days of selling blooms ...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Send us a text MALIMA® is a leading fresh-cut flower grower and exporter in the south Andes of Cuenca, Ecuador, proudly serving customers around the world since 1990 with premium quality flowers, most notably Gypsophila! In this fresh episode of #2FatGuysTalkingFlowers Mike, Fern, and the gang get into the good, the bad, and the ugly of gyp growing with David Martinez, Commercial Manager, and Mauricio Crespo, Director of Operations of Malima Ecuador. Listen in as we learn all about their farm, t...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 115
