Christina Stembel

In this conversation, Christina Stembel, founder of Farmgirl Flowers, shares her incredible journey of turning a mere $411 into a $65M floral empire. She discusses the bold choice of entering a perishable product market during a recession, navigating through 104 VC rejections, and thriving without a marketing budget. Christina emphasizes the importance of bootstrapping, customer obsession, and strategic planning, offering invaluable lessons on logistics and seasonal management. Her story is a masterclass in grit and resourcefulness!

Christina Stembel, the visionary founder and CEO of Farmgirl Flowers, bootstrapped her startup from her dining room in 2010. In this insightful chat, she dives into the challenges of prioritizing profitability over rapid growth and her courageous decision to reject a buyout offer, opting instead for long-term ownership. Christina sheds light on the difficulties of sourcing U.S.-grown flowers amid labor shortages and tariffs. She also shares her unique approach to integrating farming into her business, ensuring top-notch quality in her beloved burlap-wrapped bouquets.

Richard Edelman, CEO of a global PR firm, addresses trust in institutions amidst political polarization. Christina Stemble, founder of Farm Girl Flowers, discusses tariffs and AI's role in the floral industry. Johannes Thomas, Trivago CEO, shares insights on the travel sector's recovery post-pandemic, influenced by geopolitical factors. Sir John Kay, acclaimed economist, presents key challenges for modern businesses from his book on corporations in the 21st century. Together, they navigate the intricate dynamics of trust, industry challenges, and economic recovery.