2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers

Ryan

Join Mike Black and Fernando "The Fern Show" Ortega as they dive into the floral industry's hot topics.  Always bringing you the good, the bad, and the ugly about flowers.  Each episode is filled with flower topics, jokes, and knowledgeable guests.  This podcast is always entertaining and sometimes educational.   The goal is to enjoy a conversation and meet the people behind the flowers.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Ep. 153 - The Legendary Red Kennicott AAF: A Lifetime of Floral Service & Commitment
6d ago
Ep. 153 - The Legendary Red Kennicott AAF: A Lifetime of Floral Service & Commitment
Send us a textThis week on 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers, we are thrilled to welcome the legendary Mr. Harrison “Red” Kennicott III, AAF, a true pioneer in the floral industry. Red’s connection to flowers runs deep, having grown up working at his family’s wholesale business, Kennicott Bros. Co., since the age of 12. He graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Floriculture, and over the years, he has served as president of several major industry organizations, including SAF, the Allied Florists of Illinois, and WF&FSA. In this episode, Red reflects on his lifelong journey in the floral world, sharing insights on the value of having a trusted wholesaler, the history and evolution of Kennicott Bros., and even takes us behind the scenes of the NEW Jet Fresh building. Red talks about his love for working the wholesale floor and sees opportunities to improve their historic floral company. With his team, they work together to establish best practices for quality and integrity. A standout moment in Kennicott Bros.' history came in 2000, when Red & Katie Kennicott led the company’s transition to a 100% employee-owned business, fostering a sense of pride and stability among the staff. As Red puts it, “Now, when customers call, they are speaking with the owners.” With awards like the WF&FSA’s Leland T. Kintzele Distinguished Service Award, SAF’s Paul Ecke Hall of Fame, and the AIFD Award of Merit under his belt, Red’s contributions to the floral industry are nothing short of extraordinary. Join Mike, Mimi, and Fern as they enjoy a great conversation full of stories, wisdom, and a deep love for the floral industry. This is one episode you don’t want to miss! https://www.kennicott.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Kennicott1881 https://www.instagram.com/kennicott1881/?igsh=MTJiZ3YzdDMzajQ4eg%3D%3D#
Ep. 152 - Class is in Session: Higher Learning & Vitamin F with Renee Tucci, AIFD, PFCI, AAF
Jan 31 2025
Ep. 152 - Class is in Session: Higher Learning & Vitamin F with Renee Tucci, AIFD, PFCI, AAF
Send us a textThis week on 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers, we're joined by the delightful and super-talented Renee Tucci, AIFD, PFCI, AAF! She’s not only a floral design powerhouse but a true advocate for the power of positivity and education. Renee takes us on a journey through her career—from getting her degree in ornamental horticulture to pivoting from designer to manager and, eventually, finding her calling as an educator.In 2019, Renee went all in on freelancing, wrote a book, and started teaching floral design classes that have ignited a spark in countless future designers. Now, as a passionate educator at Bucks County Community College, she’s shaping the next generation of Certified Floral Designers (CFD), with a special AIFD track to boot!But wait, there's more! Renee’s also the President-Elect of AIFD, a volunteer with SAF’s Awards Committee, and she's organizing her students to showcase their talent at the legendary Philadelphia Flower Show. Oh, and did we mention her social media series, Vitamin F? It’s all about the mental health benefits of flowers, because we could all use a little more bloom in our lives.Renee shares how she balances her packed calendar, her commitment to her students, and how she’s spreading positive vibes all around. Plus, Ryan pitches the idea of a Tucci TV segment (we’re here for it,!). Tune in for a fresh dose of floral feel-good energy, and a whole lot of inspiration!
Ep. 150 - The Countdown to NextGen Live Dallas: Sneak Peek w/ Amanda, Jenny T, Erin B and Laura W.
Jan 17 2025
Ep. 150 - The Countdown to NextGen Live Dallas: Sneak Peek w/ Amanda, Jenny T, Erin B and Laura W.
Send us a textIn this fresh episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking About Flowers, we’re joined by Amanda Jedlinksky from the Society of American Florists. Amanda brought along some special guests to talk about the upcoming Next Gen Live event in Dallas this February.On this Next Gen episode, we’re excited to feature Jenny Thomasson, the current Next Gen Rising Star, Erin Bruno of McNamara Florist (who might as well be an honorary co-host by now!), and future Dr. Laura Walsh from Smithers Oasis. These incredible women will be sharing insights on the hot topics they’ll be covering on stage at Next Gen.Jenny also gives us a sneak peek into what attendees can expect at Dr. Delphinium, one of the largest and most stylish flower shops in the U.S., known for its high-end Euro flair. The Next Gen crew will get a behind-the-scenes tour, including the designer center, production area, and upscale front of the store. Plus, Jenny teases that the Creative Cartel will be gathering beforehand to create trend-forward displays.Laura, who is pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Change, reflects on how many of the skills she’s learning are already second nature to Next Gen professionals—like using digital tools, adaptability, and teamwork to drive change. She’s eager to share practical takeaways that can help transform the floral industry.Erin’s session focuses on the art of managing “up, down, and all around”—how to develop and mentor your team while promoting leadership growth across the board. And Ryan gives a quick preview of his Ai session, which he promises to help florist!The conversation was so good that Amanda even convinced Mike to join the podcast—though she promised they wouldn’t be carding at the door. The Early Bird special ends January 20, so be sure to visit safnow.org to sign up or register your team for Next Gen Live. Jenny Thomasson AIFD PFCI EMC AAF: https://www.instagram.com/jennyt.floristry/?hl=enErin Bruno AAF: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinadavidson/Laura Walsh: Laura Walsh AAF, PFCI IG: oasisfloralproductsnamerica
Ep. 149 - "Fast-Talking Flowers: Meet Belkis Hernandez, Jet Fresh’s Newest Sales Star!"
Jan 10 2025
Ep. 149 - "Fast-Talking Flowers: Meet Belkis Hernandez, Jet Fresh’s Newest Sales Star!"
Send us a textOn this fast-paced episode of 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers, we welcome the newest member of the Fresh Sales Team, Belkis Hernandez! From being a loyal Fatty Listener to stepping into her new role at Jet Fresh Flowers, Belkis shares her journey from “Assistant to the Assistant” to fast-tracking her way in the flower world. She learned the ropes from one of the pioneers of the Fresh Cut flower industry, with valuable tips like “count the blooms, not the stems”—a lesson every flower salesperson should know.In this episode, we dive into the high-speed world of mass-market flower sales, and Belkis reveals why she jumped at the chance to join the Jet Fresh Team. Spoiler: Fern was more than ready to bring her on board! We also get a taste of Belkis' passion for flowers (her excitement is contagious!) and talk about all the things that make this industry both fast and fun.But it wouldn’t be a 2 Fat Guys episode without a little food humor—watch out for Joel’s unique cookie-eating habits, which may just call for a visit from the Fatty Police! True crime against Cookies.Whether you’re a weekly listener or just tuning in for the first time, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and a whole lot of flower career talk. Belkis will talk faster than you can pronounce “Roas,” so tune in and try to keep up!You can contact Belkis at Belkiss@jetfreshflowers.com
Ep. 140 - Flexing Creative & Marketing Muscles with Kelsey Thompson CFD, AIFD from Petals & Profits
Nov 8 2024
Ep. 140 - Flexing Creative & Marketing Muscles with Kelsey Thompson CFD, AIFD from Petals & Profits
Send us a textIn 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 inspiration and resilience. She originally pursued a career in social work, but her love for flowers led her to a career in floristry. She launched her own business at just 24, armed with an 80-page business plan. Kelsey turned to education, testing for AIFD, and exploring the marketing side of floristry. This ultimately led to her online venture, Petals & Profits, where she provides coaching, consulting, and tools to help florists streamline their marketing and operations.Kelsey’s popular service, Content Club, offers florists social media templates, flyers, holiday checklists, training reminders, and expert advice for building a strong online presence. Tune in to hear her story, her tips for attracting Google reviews, and how she helps florists redefine selling as serving.(We won’t judge her unique food combinations—but you’ll have to listen in to find out more!) https://bloomalgona.com/https://www.petalsandprofits.com/https://www.instagram.com/petalsandprofits/
Ep. 138 - J Schwanke: Bringing Life in Bloom to TV—Where Fun with Flowers Takes Center Stage!
Oct 25 2024
Ep. 138 - J Schwanke: Bringing Life in Bloom to TV—Where Fun with Flowers Takes Center Stage!
Send us a textGet 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 icons like Bob Ross and Mister Rogers!Born at a flower convention (yes, really!) and raised in his family’s greenhouses, J’s life has been a floral adventure from the very beginning. In this episode, we dig deep into how Life in Bloom is more than just a show—it’s a celebration of the beauty and joy flowers bring to our lives, and a huge boost for the floral industry. The show even earned him the SAF Marketer of the Year award.  J also shares all about uBloom.com, where J’s flower fans can enjoy his passion for blooms 24/7 (listen in to see how you can see episodes FREE). With over 90,000 YouTube subscribers and a whopping 11.5 million views, J is spreading his love for flowers far and wide!  J shares how he doesnt do it without his team and especially his creative director (and husband), Kelly—though Kelly prefers to stay out of the spotlight, he’s a driving force behind the success of Life in Bloom.The 2 Fat Guys Talking Flowers crew had an absolute blast chatting with J, and we can’t wait to watch his continued success as he inspires the world—one beautiful flower (and TV screen) at a time!For more from J Schwanke visit: ubloom.com, https://www.youtube.com/@LifeinBloomFollow J at j_schwankes_life_in_bloom