Today we're chatting with Emalee Lally, owner of Bird Seed Florals.  Emalee has been a stalwart supporter of the Philadelphia Floral Guild since day one.  Her design style and story are unique, including her attitude towards being an eternal novice.  Three years in the biz, she’s still stretching her designer legs and has found being a beginner has some serious perks.  Like coming up with a really clever way to enhance designs in pin frogs!  Get a look at her singular design style on Instagram @birdseedflorals. This podcast is brought to you by the Philadelphia Floral Guild, a collective of flower farms in the mid-Atlantic region selling together to florist and other wholesale buyers. We help you elevate your design work and manifest a better tomorrow with locally-grown stems.  Visit philadelphiafloralguild.com to learn more and follow us on Instagram @phillyfloralguild for regular inspiration.  Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on what's in season, tips and tricks for design, and the latest episodes.  Not near Philadelphia but would like to source local flowers for your business?  Check out localflowers.org and rootedfarmers.com to find a flower farm near you.   What Can Locally Grown Stems Do For Your Floral Business? Less Shrink: Without the stress of a long ride in the global supply chain, our stems are superior in quality with much less breakage and far better hydration. Less Labor: Our growers do all the work of a studio assistant, stripping stems and making fresh cuts on stems that go directly into water and never leave a water source. This means you do not have to process anything! Less Trash: There are no boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, box straps, plastic sleeves, and all the other usual trash that comes with a flower delivery from the traditional wholesaler. More Inspiration:  Designing with the seasons sparks creativity.  No two weeks are the same.  More Community:  Workign with local growers is a very personal connection.  You'll grow your community every time you buy local.