Ep. 135: The Evolution of MUD Urban Flowers

03/13/25 • 56 min

In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 135), we're revisiting Chloe Murray, CEO/Creative Director of MUD Urban Flowers in Glasgow, Scotland and our second guest ever back in 2017 (Ep. 3) when the BB Podcast was just getting started.

When we last visited, Chloe was only a couple of months into her new business and absolutely on fire! She was seeing quick growth and loving the process. Fast forward to 2025. Today, Chloe has guided MUD Urban Flowers through a pandemic, exponential growth, and significant life changes. And she's still passionate about her business model and the people she serves. And she's done it all without a phone number for her customers from day one! If you wish your flower business was more outside the box, Chloe will get you thinking about the possibilities.

This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BTCO Circle Retail 2025 April 1-May 27th, 2025 Simple.Soulful.Connection 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.

This episode of the Botanical Brouhaha Podcast is brought to you by: BTCO Circle Retail 2025 April 1-May 27th, 2025 Simple.Soulful.Connection 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.

Previous Episode

Ep. 134: Rooted in Heritage: How Jamaican Roots Guide Olivee Floral

Building Olivee Floral

In today’s BB Podcast episode (No. 134), we’re visiting with Karla Smith-Brown, founder of Olivee Floral.

Karla’s inspiring journey evolved from a career in public relations to becoming a successful floral artist. Her story isn’t just about flowers; it’s about weaving passion, sustainability, and heritage with personal connections to make a powerful impact.

Starting out, Karla offered pop-up events and hand-tied bouquets, gradually building her brand (named after her great grandmother, Medorah Olivee Wright). With a design aesthetic influenced by her Jamaican heritage, she developed a signature wild yet refined style. As Olivee Floral grew, Karla began to view flowers as a medium for art, not just for traditional events. Now, she works with brands like Vogue, Birkenstock, and Nike, often being sought out because of the strong professional relationships she’s built and the unique design aesthetic she’s developed.

Join us as we chat with Karla about:

the significance of using locally grown and sustainable flowers for funeral arrangements
addressing the challenges and taboos surrounding discussions of funeral flowers in society
innovative approaches to creating sustainable funeral flower designs without floral foam
the role of florists in educating families about sustainable options and practices
the potential for changing perceptions of funeral flowers to make them more approachable
the impact of creative and sustainable practices on the floral industry and communities

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.

Next Episode

Ep. 136: Rachael Lunghi's Floral Business Insights

In today's BB Podcast episode (No. 136), we're visiting with Rachael Lunghi, owner of Siren Floral Co based in Southern California. Siren Floral Co was born out of a wedding and event planning company Rachael founded initially. Her love of flowers led her to eventually focus on floristry full time. Since that time, Rachael has developed a style all her own that's easily recognized and sought after by clients. Leaning into her love of travel, she gradually carved out a destination weddings and events niche for Siren Floral Co. We're honored to bring this conversation to you!

Join us as we chat with Rachael about:

her experiences with destination weddings and travel logistics
pricing strategies for floral services and transparency with clients
balancing work and family life as a new mom
her aesthetic and design philosophy
lessons learned from past business experiences, including closing a retail shop
advice for aspiring wedding planners and florists on contracts and goal setting
the importance of building a supportive team and community

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.