Save Our Sales Slump
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- After challenging spring weather, and recent slow sales, our intrepid farmer duo Serina and Ian find themselves struggling to make their flower business a success. Something has to change, because this isn't sustainable for long, the money just isn't adding up. In this video we travel through 2 farmers markets and a week of roadside sales to see if we can stop the slump, before the slump has us rewriting our business plan. As always, press the like button if you like our content, it really helps us out. And let us know down below what you would do if you were in our shoes.
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Ian and Serina of YOU CANT EAT THE GRASS feel that every small change can make a big difference to the world we live in. Every garden planted leads to a better future. We hope to inspire and motivate others to make positive changes in their lives by sharing our journey towards greater sustainability as we build our family farm. It's hard work to build a life worth living, and completely worth it!
Contact us at: iancolbeck@gmail.com
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As a retired nursery owner, my advice is to diversify. We got through bad years by having a wide range of things to sell. Over the years we saw herb sales peak, perennial sales peak, natives and drought-tolerant plants take center stage, and then pollinator plants rise in popularity. We sold at Farmer's Markets for fifteen years to grow our business, so we really had to adapt to a lot of changes. I know you gave up on veggies because of their lower cash value, but having a few veggies can also draw people to your farmstand. Or even having a few small plants to sell. Wishing you all the best.
Yes to me some veggies make it a real farm, not just a florist’s stand
Yes, good advice 👏
Yes, you can't eat the flowers!
@@sunshineinfla222You can actually eat a lot of flowers. 😉
I have written similar comments to yours Yes, it is a matter of diversity. You just have to let your gardening imagination go/grow wild! I have mentioned a few times that veggies, and even fruit, would draw people in. There are so many perennials and bulbs that could be grown.
I am betting that people are feeling the pinch of inflation and discretionary spending on things like flowers is easy to cut. Thank you for reminding me to go down to my local farmers' market today to support my local flower growers!
I fear you are right about inflation etc.
agree , flowers have become a luxury
Something I miss in the ranunculus bouquets is the pretty Kale flower 💛💐
Try a market with your red stand, & see if it makes a difference. People don't always remember faces, but they remember a stand that sticks out... just in case.
I like Ian. He is emotionally intelligent. He has composure and speaks to Serena calmly and loving. I admire that.
I love that you guys talk about money. It lets other people know how hard you have to work to have a flower farm. And you can work as hard as possible and it still can not be enough.
To me it looked like there was too much greenery in the bouquets and not enough flower content.
The red tent readily identifies your farm. Who knows if impacts sales but it certainly makes you easily identified and found. Ian, you seem very natural and approachable. :)
This! I was shocked when they replaced the red tent. I've been thinking maybe people are looking for their red tent but haven't been able to find it!
I liked the red tent in front of the stand, not at the farmers market. It made the farmers market to dark.
I agree. The red tent set them apart and made it easy for people to find them.
So find something (other than the red tent ) that makes your stand stand out. 😅
people used to complain in the comments that the red tent would give make the flowers look dark and that white would make the colors pop, funny how now the comments go the other way
I noticed a slump this late Spring too. I think people are not as optimistic as they were coming out of Covid. It is hard to explain but a number of my customers almost seem to feel guilty if they make a purchase. "I want to but I shouldn't"
So perhaps having signage that says "Thank you for supporting our family farm" or something that would help them overcome this misplaced guilt. It is weird.
Hoping both our sales numbers improve this summer 😊
Yes, I agree. I'm wondering if the economy is hurting more than we think.
Might be why the roadside stand works well. They can be sure it’s a local business for a nice family.
I love this idea
It's not misplaced guilt! People have to choose between food and flowers... that's real! But people still want BIden for some reason..
Supply food and flowers. Both of you work very hard and showing your children what this business takes to make a living makes an winning example of what your children will be bringing into their future vocations.
Agree; from a former florist. The bouquets are pretty and I love greenery, but I think the perceived value as someone mentioned would go up if you highlighted the flowers more.
I'd be curious whether it would help the farm stand if it became an Instagram destination - a couple cute areas for people to take pictures with flowers - an archway and bench? cute doorway, like French flower shop? bee wings for people to take a picture in front of? butterfly wings?
Great idea
The wings are an awesome idea! I think promoting on Instagram and Tik Tok could be helpful too. Idk about where they live, but a lot of younger people have ditched Facebook. They need a hashtag and to encourage people to post pictures of their flowers using it (free advertising!).
I agree. I don't know anyone under around 40(?) Who uses Facebook for anything other than event planning anymore. Some well planned Instagram ads would probably hit more people if the cute photo destination stand is the goal.
@@LauraStepney you’re probably not wrong, but damn I feel old now hahaha
Just to throw out another idea- Serena, you could teach bouquet making classes on the farm! A local farm by me does this and it is so fun and always sells out. It would be a good way to move stock (when you have more) and you don’t have to do the work of making the bouquets, just the prep stuff. Let people bring snacks and drinks or offer 1 glass of wine with the experience. Give a little tour of the farm, do some demos, teach some things, and then let people make a bouquet! You could have a set design or do it more of a bouquet bar style. You could easily charge $50 dollars for this. Even a class of 10 people, that’s $500 dollars for like a 1.5 hour long class activity. So many possibilities with this! Host a seedling class, where you teach everyone how to start seeds, how to grow certain plants. Then let them put seeds in soil blocks or have mini starts read for people to plant into bigger pots (or a combo of this), so there’s an “activity” associated with it and they get to take something home! I think re-visiting the seedling sale could be a good idea too. Many people hopped into gardening during covid and it’s kind of died down, but having access to seedlings could make that easier to get back into.
I would love if you did a CSA program. The parking situation at the farmer's market is my deterrent. I was at your roadside stand once but I need to make a special trip out to Lake Country as I live in Kelowna. If I prepaid for guaranteed flowers weekly, I would love that!
Yes!! I believe they have done one in the past but it would be even easier now with the stand as a pick up location.
For people who can afford it, I love this idea for people who want weekly flowers! Maybe there are nearby hotels and short-term rentals that would want weekly bouquets
I miss the red canopy and wonder if it made the colour of the bouquets more vibrant. Love your optimism and inspired by your work ethic!
😂
Agreed. People are looking for the red roof. Maybe find a way to add red to your tent again.
funny bc I also loved the red canopy but so many comments were saying it shaded the flowers and white was better for lighting. I think the red canopy makes the stand quick to spot but the white does make the flowers look better. Sorry Ian and Serina - I think grad bouquets are a great idea - please try it again! A new trend is small nosegay bouquets for prom too, so next year consider it! The rain def didn't help at market.
Maybe a red sheet over the white? Paint the outside of the white?
A red canopy muddies the vibrant colors of the bouquets. It changes how white and all warm color flowers appear.
Okay, this video has been up for almost six hours, and I just was able to watch it. I read through every single comment, and have never seen so much tough love! Lots of good ideas and advice, a lot of things to sit down and contemplate. Everyone is behind you!
Get your bouquet wraps either printed or stamped (something the kiddos could help do ?) with logo and name on one side. Low cost, high visual impact advertising when a customer is carrying their purchase around. Also lets recipients know where to get another 💐 from.
Good idea
Change the color of the wrap?
Its a personal opinion, but the greens in the bouquet is overshadowing the flowers. I have noticed that the leaves are blocking the flowers from initial view. Also some of the leaves looked chipped. This might've affected the decision of people buying them? Always rooting for you guys❤❤❤
I agree...I thought the flowers looked underwhelming due to all the greenery. Perhaps people felt there wasn't $20 worth of flowers in the bouquets.
I agree with this, in a loving way ❤
Agreed. There’s a concept in marketing called “perceived value”. Shifting things slightly can change what the mind chooses.
Agree
Same
Serena, you may want to make a window on the front. With an awning ? I hate to say rebuild the stand but perhaps work slowly on a new stand that is gorgeous.... And shows the product, inviting people yo stop
I do think that the way you did your farm stand looked better before, when you had veggies and flowers. Not sure if it’s just the table set up. The way it is now doesn’t seem as inviting. It seems like one big block of flowers, which makes it hard for each bouquet to stand out. They all look the same. Having the veg added more contrast and colour blocks, and it separated the tables, which seemed more appealing. Good luck, you guys are amazing, and so talented at making beautiful bouquets. ❤
Whenever I am feeling discouraged with sales or pests or whatever on my flower farm, I remind myself of what Lisa Mason Ziegler has said over and over- just keep showing up. And she is right, this low period will pass. Love you guys!
Try add banting flags that flap in the wind which will attract attention to the road stall or perhaps a sign that spins around. Creating movement will add to your plant garden attraction. Stay strong.
I see you've gotten a ton of advice in the comments. I hope it doesn't feel too overwhelming or critical -- you guys work so hard and everyone wants to see you succeed! I agree with what folks are saying with diversification, but one angle to that I think to consider is diversification of content. I know you don't want to be a content farm, but it's faster to make adjustments with digital products than farm products and it could get you through the slump temporarily while you begin planning for long term business solutions for the actual farming. Another idea for the farm -- marketing in bridal fb groups for direct selling for weddings. I think if you market it as a budget option for DIY brides, you could move a ton of flowers (once you have them). People might be saving money now and not buying flowers for their home, but there will always be a demand for wedding flowers.
Beautifully said.❤
Agreed! I was looking forward to seeing how wholesale-ing and wedding work would go for them and haven’t seen much of that yet. I think there’s lots of opportunities there.
I like this comment about wedding wotk. I was thinking they could consider the idea of hosting some small weddings on their property, or get photographers (engagement photos with a dried flower background, family photos with flowers in the background etc)or utilize the green house for photo ops? The wedding pics could be so pretty and Serinas flare for bouquet making and that dried flower sign they had up had me thinking she could really expand on that concept and create something for couples and families for pics....maybe too time consuming but they could always start small.
Open the side walls on the tent. Also, $700 is still a darn good day, even if it didn't meet your expectations.
I would say double the size of the roadside stand! and make more of the signage - bigger and colourful ! If you’re allowed have a progression of signs from 2 miles away . The signs, maybe simply a flower and a red arrow ⬆️..until the last 2 signs have the flower and left hand pointing arrow ⬅️ to the stand 🙂
Your gift is that busy road so capitalise on that. ☺️🌻
Maybe try dried flower bunches of same type of flowers only and maybe small bags of flower heads - good for crafters - people are starting to craft for fall and Christmas now, your higher shelf on the roadside stand would be great for those.
That's an excellent idea!!
That's a good idea. How about medicinal or herbal tea flowers?
Loving this channel. Inspiring us to grow flowers for sale on our farm here in Ireland! Sold out first flowers this morning! 🙌
Congrats on selling out! Would love to see more flower farm content so maybe you'd like to give it a try? ❤ These guys are indeed very inspirational and I grew my first flower garden although i'm far from having the resources & capacity to sell! 😂 It's a good dream to have, though, and i'm so glad you're living it!
Congratulations that’s awesome! Do you have a RUclips channel? I’d love to watch, my family is originally from Ireland and I have a love of everything Irish. 🥰🥰🙏🏻🇨🇦❤️
At my local farmers market they put the bouquets on the ground and a level up, so two levels. That way u can see them from the top. No brown wrapping. It makes a beautiful display. It really draws the attention.
Great idea! You are right! Tables need to be lower.
Yes. Improve the visuals! 🌺🌸❤️
Ian could wrap them in front of the customer as well! Also stamp all the paper with your logo!
@@karalee6522 I thought of that too. The brown wrapping to me takes away from the flowers. Maybe those clear wraps or pretty paper. I’m no expert for sure and they work so very hard but I can say what catches my attention at the farmers market.
Other people have already mentioned diversification. You know/follow other flower sellers and see all the paths they follow: bouquet bar, plant sales, dried flower heads for crafting, dried blends for potpourri, wholesale to florists, CSA with scheduled pickup, know the events in your area and be at them (love the idea of selling at the graduation, dance recitals, etc.), getting your product into local stores and farm stands, charging for photo shoots on your farm, and having a beautiful, consistent social media presence. Another grower on RUclips said the majority of their money was made from education and other non-bouquet sales.Good luck.
A farm in my area plants big fields of sunflowers and charges people to take photos. It’s very popular!
I love the bouquet bar idea. I went to brunch at a restaurant and there was a bouquet bar there. U can create your own bouquet for the price point u can afford.
Yes, great advice! Consult a social media/branding specialist to figure out more ways to increase their social media presence (it’s lacking right now and many young people are not on Facebook).
Hosting classes with the bouquet bar could be a really great way to increase the price of that offering.
Also workshops/tours of the flower farm with info on each type you grow. Could be for adults, could be for kids!
A good project for the off season would be to add a photo opp mural to the roadside stand - perhaps painted on the stand itself or the fence. I bet it would inspire people to pull over to snap selfies and purchase boquets while they're there.
Good idea I think 🤔 and surround the ‘seat’ with flowers ( in water of course.)
I think you are very well liked!
I especially like your honesty!
Don’t be discouraged! The first 5 yrs of any new business venture can be the toughest ;) Every failure is a learning opportunity :)
I live in Crimea. We buy bouquets only for holidays. These are roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, tulips. I've been doing my garden for 30 years. First there were peaches-grapes-tomatoes for sale. Now flowers (roots) are a priority. I plan to plant a lot of peony bushes for cutting.
First off let me say that you grow very beautiful flowers and make lovely bouquets. I have read a lot of these comments and there is some good advice there- I am a market vendor and farmer myself and know a tiny bit about such things. I would be wary of trying too much diversification as it can just get exhausting- going back to a few veggies might not be a bad idea, or maybe strawberries- something the kids could help harvest. The tan tablecloth I would suggest changing to dark green- it goes well with flowers and vegetables of any sort. That red roof tent did shed an odd light on the bouquets as I remember- the wrapping paper might look better in a green shade also- visuals are so important. And Ian- you are such a nice looking fellow- as a vendor you might want to try a shave and haircut- we need to be at our best when selling at market, even when we are exhausted! Good luck guys!
Ian is looking his best! A distinct look is not carelessness. Why do people feel the need to comment on peoples choices with their bodies? In my home this look would attract customers but even if it would not: it is his choice!
Yes. Fresh washed hair for both too. Sometimes the hair diverts my attention from your beautiful smiles 🌸
@@anniinglucksdorf960 he's essentially in sales so yes it matters
@@y.peffle2802 I know that it matters but this, in my opinion, is not an example where this arguments applies. It is peoples personal view on what makes a good looking sales person they are trying to push on Ian. But Ian does look put together it is just a very personal style.
Long hair and a beard does not equal sloppy!!! In a lot of regions he would be considered a hipster. That impression goes very well with being a farmer. I know a lot of regions where this would count as authenticity and would even be to the farmers advantage. So... if his style is not your style it does not mean that he does not look after himself. So people should stop pushing their beautystandards on people. It is inappropriate.
If I lived in your area, I would purchase flowers😍. You are a wonderful family flower farm. Canadians get out and purchase from Red Roof Farm. You also remind me to buy from my local flower farm. …love the videos 🎉
I watched a RUclips channel where they open their flower fields 2 days a week for “you pick” and it is very successful. Designate a specific field. They mostly had zinnias.
U-pick comes with it's own challenges especially with insurance.
We had a farm that did this (and unfortunately closed the Upick part this year), but it was SO MUCH FUN! And a great picture taking opportunity. They would gather up the flowers into a simple bouquet for you at the end, just took a minute or two. A seperate field for it would be a great idea!
Could it be the RED tent? It sure made the flowers look amazing on video. What if you switched it up a little and see. It could be the economy also but have a gift shop in Georgia in a tourist town my sales are WAY done too. Praying for both our sales to skyrocket now!
Yup, tune up your color branding theme. Buy red paint. Paint that aqua door on your flower roadside stand RED. Put up the red canopy tent out front, get red balloons and banners in a red theme. Have a "special bouquet" like, " I'M SORRY BOUQUET" sale. Etc. Say it with flowers.. etc
As someone who hates aqua, I agree. It's not a garden color. Green or white would also be an improvement.
I think the Farmers market going to come and you're going to sell all the flowers 🌹 you're flowers so beautiful I wish you all the best take care guys.
I think a big focus on the roadside stand is where the future is at. You could sell more through the stand and maybe eventually skip the markets...veggies, herbs, etc. Graduation bouquets and arrangements are a fantastic last minute idea for some extra fundage. Maybe set the kiddos up once in a while with a lemonade (cookie, popcorn..etc) stand out front or something that draws the eye of someone driving by to the stand...maybe a balloon or 3??
Yes. Something to catch the attention of passing cars.
I don't think it would hurt to paint your fence to catch the eye. Kind of like a billboard. I think the fun wall in your shop would be a great way to advertise. And write Flowers in the middle of those fun colors
A mural on the fence could be really cool! Serena's mural in the workroom is so pretty I wish it were out at the stand. Good background for photos too.
Would you describe in a future video what the rules are for the roadside stand ?
Ie: how big can it be? Can it ne a store ? Can you add on a wee greenhouse ? Or lathe house ? Then people can see inside. I think getting them to pull over is key.
Diversity is a good friend also. Carrots, tomatoes and the flowers could help with the swing of things. My heart goes out to you! Farming and ranching is not for the faint of heart. Best wishes to you all!
With the farmers market maybe try and make your booth more flashy. Reconfigure your tables, add some signs, make it so it catches the eye. I also agree with others saying diversify, but I don't think you need to add back veggies to do that. You just need to use your flowers to make more products. The flower crowns are a great idea (especially for your dried flowers) making stuff for prom could also be a good idea. I know many parents will splurge at prom, so that is probably a seasonal good market test out. You could even use some of your old dried flowers that aren't in the best shape anymore to make eco friendly confetti. I'm sure other people might have so great ideas for easy stuff you can make with flowers too!
Love the confetti idea!🎉
I’ve been watching for a few years and have noticed a pattern. I have an abrasive way of presenting information, so please know I mean this in a “I’ve got your back” way. Not a “I like to kick people while they’re down” way. You guys have been working so hard, I don’t want this farm to fail because you’ve gotten discouraged too many times.
So here it goes.
You really don’t have a firm grasp on your local market, yet every time you get a hunch about something it’s full steam ahead. It was years before you started making $40 bouquets after arguing ‘people can just buy two and put them together’. Turns out, people don’t want to do that. And even in this video, you said “no one is going to buy flowers for prom, only graduation.” Well… you don’t know that. You could have ran a prom sale and started a new trend of dates buying each other flowers. Or even parents buying for their children. Like a daddy-daughter “remember daddy always loves you” type thing. You could have donated the unsold flowers to a school and/or used them to create boutonnières. It wouldn’t translate to sales immediately, but it would show off your farm to the chaperones. Since, people are allowed to have fun again, you may need to do more event work.
I respect the decision to pivot toward flowers when veggie sales were down, but now that people are not stuck at home and money is tight, the perceived value of flowers has gone down. Getting out and having fun is still a semi-priority for a lot of people. (For now) so the flowers can be used to add value to that experience. Like flower crowns at a concert or, as I said, flowers at prom.
But that bubble is going to burst eventually. So you need a safety net which veggies could provide. The pendulum is going to swing back to home cooking soon. People will reevaluate their budgets and realize they have to reignite their culinary skills. And what better way to do that than the freshest ingredients possible? You can provide them with the best ingredients to help transition to home cooking. That is… IF you start selling veggies again.
And in five years, you’ll have to make changes again. But as of right now, you’ve been terrible at predicting consumer behavior and only pivot a year or two afterwards.
You’ve been mentioning a new employee lately. For a while you were saying employees are not the goal and you couldn’t afford them, but since you have one now… you really need to come up with a diversification strategy. You can’t keep chasing customers. You need to come up with your core products so people already know to come to you when they need them. The quantities can change, a few new products can be trialed. But please stop scrapping your business every few years.
Imagine McDonald’s not having burgers just because those sales go down during Lent. They don’t get rid of burgers just because sales go down for six weeks a year. No, they offer sales on fish filet in addition to their standard menu. Now imagine McDonald’s gets rid of everything but the fish filet… in May after Lent has ended… that’s been your strategy thus far.
So come up with a plan on how you can keep some variety now that you have help. I can understand not being able to do it all, but something’s gotta give, guys.
Well said!!
I agree with all your comments and have been hoping the decision to not grow veg would have been reversed before the growing season got going. If you can't see what is ahead, you can't see it.
I see a disaster for the population at large and a catastrophic shortage of food in much of the world. Wherever you are in the world and you have the ability to grow food please start NOW. If I am wrong you can always pivot back to flowers and I will apologize most humbly!!
Prepare to grow and store food for as many people as you can. Grow winter crops in tunnels even if extra frost protection is needed. Don't rely on your power supply long term.
Apologies for the doom and gloom but life is not just going to float along as it has for the last 50years.
If you ignore all this that's ok but maybe slim down your outgoings by saving your own seed and just grow those out each year. Yes, I get that it's nice to grow the gorgeous ranunculus, tulips, peonies etc but people don't NEED them.
Good luck with growing everyone. ❤
Flowers are really cheap at supermarkets this year. A dozen of small roses was $8.99 at Whole Foods a few weeks ago, a bunch of irises was $7.99. So it's not surprising that people don't want to pay $20 for a bouquet. I also think selling veggies along with flowers would be good. Everybody needs carrots!
Agree with everything you've said. My family has been selling veggies and flowers for decades, my whole life and before at our local market. They don't have a staple, unfortunately, they also follow "last year trend" and you are correct about the event thing. Heck, we even sold flowers for funeral during COVID... Yes, it sounds wrong, but it was the purpose people needed the flowers for. I really love people succeed and I'm getting worried about them...
Completely agree with this feedback. I'm only a more recent subscriber since March but it seems like every time I get the feeling you're running late or behind on things. Up until 5AM to make bouquets? I'm sorry but that means something is wrong in your time management. It can happen yes, but those are exceptions not a rule.
It's the same with you putting up on ad on your local social media page, it seemed like it was done the day of? No, that needs to go up days ahead of time so people can be made aware and make the time to come over and buy.
I'm unsure if it is done on purpose in the video's and you guys actually have more time then what it seems like, but everything seems rushed and unplanned and I do not understand why it should be like this. That's not ideal I'd think but who am I :) It's your farm and you decide how to run things.
The bouquets were still lovely! It's too bad that so many culminating factors have made these two weeks so disappointing financially. I hope things are better in the weeks to come, and that you get the flower abundance you've been missing :)
I just have to say that after all these years I've never once tried of your videos.. your one of the very few I've continued to watch over the years 👏👏👏👏
The quality of life coming from your roadside stand is not to be ignored
You are going to have great years, good years, and downright so so years at the Markets. When sales are great, it is easy to have a good outlook. When sales are so so, it's hard to be positive. Ian is right about the weather. Concentrate on the roadside stand and expect the market to be the side hustle. It'll all work out. Remember the weird weather plays into it. I was a Vendor in SoCal and my best day was 10 beautiful $20 boquets. Talk about disheartening. You're going to be fine. You have to take several years average before you get into a real routine of knowing what to expect. It'll be okay.
I was talking with my husband the other day. If the economic goes down, nonessential businesses will be the first to go. Being nonessential businesses always has that liability.
But what can we do, right? It's our passion and lifeline. We have to be optimistic and have a back up plan/saving.
Good morning,
Thanks for the great video.
Here are some things I’m wondering about-
Would displaying a few bouquets in the water bags help sales at the market? Would it lower an obstacle to sales?
Would a more structured consistent exposure on social media and advertising work? People need to see multiple ads before becoming customers.
Could social media become part of the daily work flow? Monday- thanks for a great weekend, I loved seeing that the tulip sales went so well (even though you didn’t make $) maybe a picture of the bunch of the week- which sold the best?
Tuesday a drone shot of the farm
Wednesday a kitten and flowers shot
Thursday a flower close up in the field
Friday shots of bouquets
Saturday a market shot
Sunday a funny picture- wearing a flower crown. Holding a mass of flowers (like the old veggie photos) amazing a really wild Serina bouquet- over the top! Using every leftover flower of the week…
A this is what we are cooking up for graduation post
A shot with a ruler of the flowers growing in the front garden?
I know you like to keep it elegant and minimalist for your customers. But I think incorporating some of the personality and techniques you are already showing in RUclips will help build your brand.
I assume you could schedule it to release on its own so it wouldn’t need constant attention.
Would having a separate Kelowna farmers market Instagram account help you find your customers?
A few ideas….
Ayelet
You have some great ideas!
Perhaps next year you should get permission to be in the parking lots to sell grad bouquets and advertise before hand.
I think the bag is a good idea. Reminds me of selling fish!
6:08 Heck Yeah!! Strong big yellow flowers with tiny dainty flowers, white petals with yellow centers, and a little bit of greenery! Looks perfect to me! I don't have it in my budget to buy flowers, but the sight of this bouquet had an immediate positive effect on me, and I'd buy it anyway! Even if I was a grad and my colors didn't include yellow or gold!
My opinion: if you were to do this with large, strong, "blue" flowers, and African blue-disk daisies (white petals, blue centers) that might be a big hit too. I believe at least one of the schools near you has a general theme of "shades of blue", as they said in a description when I went googling for school colors in your area. I don't know what advertising you do, but I would think that timely advertising that specifically mentions things like "We've got school colors for graduation and parties!" with a picture of school color themed bouquets, that might be a good seller for graduation and graduation parties. You can even plan flower growth to the themes and (hopefully) the right timing.
It’s our first year growing cutflowers for selling. Also our first time (2 weeks ago) joining a farmer’s market. There’s so much to learn.
That’s why I love this channel, they are opening up their learnings and experiences for anyone who want to take the same foot steps.
Hey ! I love your channel. My profession is sales and marketing and I would suggest this. You said the booth traffic is good so you are getting that. Ask the potential clients when they visit your booth what they are looking for in bouquets and they will tell you what they want. And if it's price they will tell you that also if you ask honestly in a learning format. If they say they are looking for a different bouquets they will say that also. It's really that simple; ask them what they want. The hard part of course in the subsequent weeks is growing what they want at the price they are willing to spend.
A vendor friend of mine does a b testing with samples basically all the time, or asks for ratings on flavors and I love it. I don't usually like to interact with customers because I don't want to pester, I'm more trying to close a sale. But the info could be really enlightening so maybe I will try it out next market.
Paint the outside of the home stand vibrant colors to attract people to it
Lol, I think it’s fine that you talk about your honest journey in the market farm reality. ✌🏻❤️ we love you guys!
The longer you grow and the more people you talk to that farm the more you’ll learn the trends and will be able to focus your efforts and energy with more precision. You’re still new so give yourselves some grace. Thank you for sharing your journey we are all rooting for you to succeed! ❤
Yes,, exactly. Well stated.
The proper clothing and clean hair always work.
So instead of a bag water should do wet paper towels. As a grad i would be devastating to get soaked holding flowers.
Definitely promote the stand at the farmers market! It is more time flexible for customers, and less time cost for you. The farm I worked at for years eventually stopped going to the market for all the reasons you are talking about and because they had plenty of traffic to there stand (+ wholesale sales) to make it feel not worth it to go to the market.
Maybe a terrible idea, but why not take the bouquets to the parking lot where all the people will be at the graduation? Sell them right there? I am always running late to things, and so would be that person who would buy on the spot because I didn’t have time to stop on the way. And I don’t mean a full market set up - just sell out of the back of the truck.
You could set up a small permanent display of your craft items in the roadside stand. Things you'd normally take to craft fairs like bagged dried flowerheads for example, your ornaments (come autumn, no one wants to see Xmas stuff in June!), etc. It wouldn't be a big money spinner but if you prepare them during the off season it's just a matter of stocking the stand once a week and you'd probably get an extra 100-200$ a week.
Maybe leave a request box for some of the craft items.
Dried petal wedding confetti from flowers that cant be sold would be great maybe.
We're also seeing slow flower sales at our market. But our veggies always sell out. Luckily we also have a flower CSA and offer retail flowers through a local shop and our online website. So we manage to get the flower sold. Like i said though, market sales have been slower than anticipated
you guys work so hard, i hope your sales slump ends soon. Serena your dried flower arrangements are so beautiful, i love them. You can do a cut flower bouquet like nobody's business just perfect....good luck (on your sign isn't it etransfer??? not etranfer??
Hopefully you have signs a couple of hundred yards up the road from your stand. Give customers a chance to stop.
Yes. Colorful signs. Instead of one sign all crammed in, have posters on the wall? COLORFUL posters. Paint flowers on the wall?
You could sell your strawberries or cherries a couple weeks in June. Flower crowns out of dried flowers at a farmers market would be great too.
Your channel ROCKS!! I LOVE watching. I'm in the Mojave desert in Nevada and sale produce here, very difficult growing conditions..Your channel inspires me to keep going and gives me great ideas for marketing..Keep up the great work!!
Have you considered selling some smaller, shorter stemmed boquets? It would expand your stock and not everyone has a place for a large statement boquet..which also really needs several bunches to have an impact and not look scrawny. That gets expensive unless you can augment with your own stuff. Small boquets offer more flexibility for the buyer, are less expensive and look more lush. I have a lot of flowers on my property and build boquets all the time but i prefer the smaller ones for those reasons. For the same amount of labor i can have lots of smaller boquets all over the house to cheer things up rather than one big one that often just gets in the way,plus the larger ones require more mtc. You dont want to just compost them when they still have some good stems so you feel compelled to salvage them as opposed to just replacing them. With smaller boquets there is less "guilt" and pressure to maintain them...which could result in more frequent repeat business...Just a thought.
I’m so sorry to hear of your hardships. When times are tough, people have to pinch every penny to feed their children and pay for their homes. I wish you well!
The forestry face cracked me up! Hahaha!
I would have gone to where the graduation was and sold out of the back of my truck. A lot of people forget to buy flowers beforehand or just don't have the time to stop at the store before going to a graduation. Just an idea for next year...
Have you guys got Sobeys or Co-Op grocery stores in Kelowna? I don't remember if I saw any there last time I was in the area. Anyways, those grocers are always open to local products being sold in their stores. Perhaps an idea would be to approach them and see if you could have your bouquets sold there. They'd be in coolers too so less product loss. Just an idea!
Hope things pick up for you guys. I don't think some people have the money they use to.
I don't have any experience in marketing, but I really liked your red tent at the flower market, eye catching and vivid. I thought the flowers looked just fine under the red color.
Not just flowers showing a pinch, the reptile, amphibian, and plant hobbies are seeing a sizeable drop this year across the board.
There's about 3 weeks around the fourth of July that the entire floral industry slows down. A lot of shops close and take the entire holiday off and go on vacation.
You need to factor this in and plan time off during this time and not get discouraged.
Also, people's own flowers are blooming at their houses.
If you have the graduations, that's great!
Beautiful bouquets! Would it be worth contacting the schools to set up a stand on the site? Very convenient for those who want to buy flowers for the grads.
More brainstorming here so feel free to accept or reject. Have you tried flower subscriptions? Or is there a nursing home nearby where families could have bouquets delivered to add some cheer? I recognise you are working full out and may not have time to find opportunities. Perhaps a little help with marekting? Wishing you success for all your hard work!
@@ronalee34i like the nursing care idea. But I would add that they probably need to be small-ish since there is often not a lot of table space
@@ronalee34flower subscriptions could work really well for them! They even have a pick up spot already to go with the stand, so if they aren’t interested in doing delivery, they can just have customers grab them on their own.
@@firehorsewoman414 Good point!
It's tough worldwide, even here in Australia people are spending less having to find an extra thousand dollars to pay their mortgages, unfortunately things like buying flowers go first. Maybe its time for the veggies to come back, or houseplants.
Most of us are so busy today that reminders are very helpful; consider putting a sign outside your flower shed saying something like graduation bouquets.
Hang in there! We're "rooting" for you.
You guys are my favorite Farmer’s Market channel! I’m a vendor at the Farmer’s Market in Moose Lake, Minnesota selling bedding plants, jelly, salsa, baked goods and some veggies. Of course you have to talk about money. It’s so much work, you can’t do it unless you make money!😂❤ Really love your channel!!!
Your flowers always look amazing, it’s how expensive everything has become. Less money to spend on extras like your beautiful flowers. Also I’ve seen flowers at a stand just recently that had a bag of water attached! Such a good idea😊
For the grads could you do something inexpensive in the school colors? People may not have $25+ for a bouquet but could come up with $15.
Good to hear that the roadside stand is still going strong. Maybe this will be your future?
Your honesty is lovely but makes it so people feel like they should give you all the „advise“ they can think of. I am in awe of your thick skin and seeing you make jokes about it in the end. Hope you are good! I am sure you will find a way.
I used to make and sell soap. So glad that part of my life is done! Best of luck to you.
You are one of my two favorite channels. I cross my fingers that sales will go up.
If I had the roadside stand I would pick that for my purchase because it would be close to my car. Carrying flowers around the market is clumsy.
Just finished watching your video and love you guys. Please don't give up on what you're doing. You know honesty is so powerful for you, I feel like I'm watching a thriller movie...what's going to happen next. I love you too ,your work ethics are so high. Keep going and don't feel embarrassed about failure because it's going to happen to you both ❤
I really like this idea. The red tent is gorgeous, but I see how it makes it challenging to film.
Very inspiring thanks for sharing and all your bouquets are beautiful
Your flowers and bouquets are gorgeous ~ I do agree with the comments on veggies ~ in the current economic conditions, people will buy food before flowers, hopefully the economy turns and people will buy flowers again. Inflation is crazy in the US, i.e., the cooking oil I buy cost $13 in 2019 is now $23. Gas, food etc. not much left for flowers, this year anyway. Try selling as a wholesaler to flower shops? The diy wedding flowers for brides is a great idea, do you have a flower bar where you sell by the stem?
I love love your video style and editing magic. Awesome video ❤
I like the "grad bouquet" idea. It being so hot makes them travel better😁
I like you two, you will have make more videos or/and sell plants as well. The tomatoes just went ,what about herbs and peppers,melons,squash,courgettes for next year. More work I know but you did it before but this time only roadside stand no orders. What’s not bought plant in your family garden win win.
This year is weird. My garden is growing but it’s almost July and none of my hibiscus have blooms yet and none of my Crape Myrtle have any buds on them. Last year at this time my garden was in full bloom and thriving. I did get my Team Flowers shirt, though. 😊
I hear the disappointment, unsure if things will turn quickly enough or at all. No way of knowing the future. However, I think you have a great product. There has to be other ideas from other flower farmers, not that I know them, but flower farmers who have experienced, or are experiencing this, must have creative ideas that might help, I hope will help. I do wish you all the best. Try not to get too down, keep your head up, seek advice from others who have been or are going through the same struggles. It is so fun when things go well, remember those times, have faith, things will change, finding how that works for you is the key. Love from Virginia USA.
Clearly Price your products. Visible outside of the booth. Folks are reluctant to ask a price for fear of not wanting to pay. Have several price points, everyone wants to buy, just maybe not $30, which allows the posting of a sign with a "great" price. Marking your price also makes a markdown believable. The last two hours, liquidation sale, new signs n prices. Guarantee these will double, or triple sales.
The flowers are beautiful! I think with the cost of living rise people are becoming more conservative on what they are spending money on, I know personally that I have stopped buying flowers for myself and gifts. Hang in there!
This past year when you turned to flowers because they were higher profit margin or selling better, my immediate thought was...why do that when we are clearly heading into a deeply recessionary cycle? When money gets tight, flowers for the house get cut from the discretionary budget, if there is even a discretionary budget left. Grow food. People always need food. Maybe not carrots, if the margin is low. But sell food.