Botanical Brouhaha Podcast

Linda D'Arco returns to the Botanical Brouhaha podcast nearly five years after her first appearance to share what's changed since we last spoke. Based in northern New York, Linda is the founder of Little Farmhouse Flowers and Ampersand Bulb Co., and she brings a valuable, behind-the-scenes perspective on importing flower bulbs, ethical sourcing, and sustainable supply chains. Drawing from firsthand experience as a bulb importer, Linda breaks down how tariffs work, why they've dramatically increased costs for small farms, and how these policies affect the future of local flower production in the U.S.
This conversation goes far beyond bulbs. Along the way, we explore what it means to let go of offerings you love, build businesses that reflect your values, and take responsibility for the ripple effects of your work.
Join us as we chat with Linda about:
Letting go of offerings to make room for more aligned work
Building a wholesale flower bulb company
Ethical sourcing, sustainability, and supply-chain transparency
How flower bulbs are grown—and why they take years to produce
How tariffs affect American flower farmers and florists
The environmental tradeoffs between importing bulbs vs. cut flowers
Frozen agricultural grants and their downstream impact on farms
Using your business as a vehicle for values and advocacy
Choosing your audience—and being okay with who opts out
Parenting, boundaries, and designing a business that supports real life
Connect with Linda D'Arco:
Little Farmhouse Flowers
The Tulip Workshop
Ampersand Bulb Co.

This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by:
BLOOM TRUST CO.
A curated collection of floral resources you can trust.  Click here to learn more.
 
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find Amy on IG at either @botanicalbrouhaha or @bloomtrustco and Natalie at @hey.nataliegill or @native_poppy
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.

In this bonus episode, Amy and Natalie take a deep dive into Bloom Trust Co. CIRCLE—what it is, why they started it nearly five years ago, and how it's evolved since that very first session in 2021. They reflect on how CIRCLE grew from just an idea about how to connect with other florists into a trusted, small-group community for florists who want a safe, candid space to talk about the real work of owning a flower business. They cover how CIRCLE works (and why it's not a course), the importance of community, transparency, and talking about numbers. And they discuss the unexpected impact it's had helping businesses develop systems strong enough to allow them to sell when the time was right. Whether you're thinking about opening a shop, wanting to take the next step to expand and grow your retail business, or just curious what CIRCLE really is, this episode gives you an honest look behind the scenes. If you are interested in joining either CIRCLE Retail or CIRCLE Weddings, you can contact Amy directly through email or DM to find out more. 
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find Amy on IG at either @botanicalbrouhaha or @bloomtrustco and Natalie at @hey.nataliegill or @native_poppy
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.

Redefining Success as a Florist
In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 144), we're visiting with Evelyn Krebs, a Swiss florist, shop owner, and creative entrepreneur with nearly three decades of experience in the floral industry. As founder and owner of Stil & Stiele in Zurich, Switzerland, Evelyn shares what 25 years of shop ownership taught her about growth, courage, and building a business that actually supports your life.
We talk about her unconventional path—from apprenticing in the late 1990s to owning a long-running flower shop in Zurich, launching a concept-driven retail store, and reimagining what a sustainable, values-aligned floral business can look like. This conversation explores courage, redefining success, and building a business that truly serves your life—not just industry expectations.
Whether you're a florist questioning traditional shop hours, dreaming of a different retail model, or simply craving permission to do things your own way, this episode offers thoughtful perspective and real-world insight.
Join us as we chat with Evelyn about:
her journey into floristry and opening her first flower shop in Zurich
using farmers markets as a high-end marketing and client acquisition tool
balancing creative work, management, and personal health
the impact of staffing, scale, and "growth at all costs" thinking
why fewer employees can sometimes mean higher profit and less stress
building a second, non-floral concept shop with higher margins and fewer demands
flexible staffing models using shared calendars and trust-based systems
selling emotion and experience rather than just products
redefining success over a long career
courage, boundaries, and opting out of the hamster wheel
self-service flower shops and retail models in Switzerland
Links mentioned in this episode:
TimeTree App – Shared scheduling tool
Poschtilädeli – Evelyn's second shop
Connect with Stil und Stiele:
Website
Instagram
Evelyn's second shop, Poschtilädeli
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by:
BLOOM TRUST CO.
A curated collection of floral resources you can trust.  Click here to learn more.
 
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.

In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 143), we're visiting with Evelyn Streeter, founder and owner of Eve Floral Co in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our conversation follows Evelyn's deeply personal and inspiring journey as a florist who grew up in the middle of the hum of her mother's small-town flower shop in Michigan.
What began as a family trade became both a lifeline and a legacy when Evelyn unexpectedly took over the business after her mother's passing. Years later, she built her own thriving floral company in Cincinnati—complete with a studio, retail space, and loyal community. But now, standing at a crossroads, Evelyn is considering something few florists ever talk about: selling her business. This conversation unfolds like a love letter to the flower industry—its grit, its heart, and the quiet courage it takes to know when to keep growing and when to let go.
Join us as we chat with Evelyn about:
Her family roots in Detroit and the flower shop that shaped her path
Taking over her late mother's shop as a young college student and learning business by survival
The emotional and financial realities of running a business solo
What it's really like to consider selling your flower business—and why it doesn't mean failure
How she's preparing her shop and team for a future beyond her own ownership
The practical process of valuing and selling a small floral business
Why success can sometimes mean walking away with gratitude
Connect with Eve Floral Co:
Website
Instagram
Eve Floral Co Shop Instagram
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by:
Madrid Flower School
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.

In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 142), we're visiting with Diane Szukovathy, co-owner of Jello Mold Farm in western Washington and a founding member of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market Cooperative. Diane shares her decades of experience as a flower farmer and cooperative leader, discussing the realities of small-scale farming, the importance of industry standards, and the newly released Floral Standards Book — a groundbreaking resource that compiles practical, research-backed post harvest care information for more than 230 crops. From her love of plants and an art background to her insights on pricing, sustainability, and cooperation, Diane offers a refreshingly honest look at what it takes to build a resilient flower business and community.
Join us as we chat with Diane about:
Her journey from artist to flower farmer and the origins of Jello Mold Farm
The founding and evolution of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market
Why the Floral Standards Book was created and how it serves farmers and florists
What the Floral Standards Book reveals about dahlia varieties, including vase life testing
The role of quality standards in creating fair pricing and cohesive products
Cooperative business models — how they function and benefit small-scale farms
Challenges in U.S. flower farming: land access, climate change, and market pricing
Lessons learned over two decades: finding niches, doing enterprise math, and taking time off
The importance of abundance, generosity, and community in a sustainable floral future
Links mentioned in this episode:
Dr. John Dole – North Carolina State University professor, researcher, and post harvest expert
ASCFG (Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers) – professional organization for flower farmers
Robin Wall Kimmerer – author of Braiding Sweetgrass and The Serviceberry, cited for her perspective on abundance and reciprocity
Downloadable Case Study: Portrait of a Cooperative Pioneer (The Seattle Wholesale Growers Market Cooperative)
This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by:
Madrid Flower School
You can find show notes and more episodes of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast at botanicalbrouhaha.com, and you can find the BB Podcast co-hosts on IG @botanicalbrouhaha and @hey.nataliegill.
This episode of The Botanical Brouhaha Podcast was produced by Joel McGee. Original music by Landon McGee.