Join hosts Mike, CJ, and Ken on the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast as they celebrate culture, entrepreneurship, and business! In this episode, they welcome Sunny Jackson, the dynamic owner and creative director of Chicago-based The Sunniest Designs. Sunny shares her inspiring journey, from humble beginnings without equipment to running one of the most celebrated floral design companies. Tune in to hear about her challenges, unique business approaches, and how she's transforming the floral industry. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs and flower enthusiasts! 🌼
Guest's Socials:
Website: http://www.thesunniestdesigns.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesunniestdesigns/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesunniestdesigns
Thank you for listening!
Follow our socials!
Contact us:
- Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com
Hosts:
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
CJ (00:00):
Hello and welcome to the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast
where culture, entrepreneurship,and business intersect to fuel
inspiration.
This podcast celebrates thepower of diverse voices shaping
the future of business.
So whether you're building abusiness, breaking barriers,
we're just looking for someserious inspiration here in the
right place.
(00:21):
The Black Bridge mindset whereculture and entrepreneurship
collide.
Mike (2) (00:26):
happy, what is it?
Tuesday?
we've literally recorded, howmany?
One, two,
CJ (00:33):
number five.
Mike (00:34):
four, Yeah, this is number five.
We recorded like five episodeswithin a week and a half, which
is like crazy.
CJ (00:44):
Oh, wow.
Mike (2) (00:45):
Thinking that we started this not knowing what
the hell we were doing.
We had absolutely nothing.
We didn't have cameras.
We didn't have microphones.
We didn't have anything and herewe are.
Recording our fifth episode ofthe Black Bridge Mindset.
So welcome, everybody.
If you're just tuning in.
My name is Mike Lovett and I amhere with two of my best
friends, CJ and Ken.
(01:06):
We are all in three differentcities.
city is the best, by the way.
am in Chicago, Illinois, and CJis in Columbus, Ohio, and Ken
Peak is in Atlanta, Georgia.
How are you guys doing?
CJ (01:20):
Doing good?
Ken (01:20):
I'm good.
And first of all, I don'tappreciate you two using my full
government name.
I understand
CJ (01:25):
Who's looking for you,
Ken (01:27):
syllable words, but still, that's not the point.
Mike (01:30):
just the way I'm used to your name,
CJ (01:32):
right?
Ken (01:33):
does, everybody does, that's all
CJ (01:34):
What would you prefer to be called?
Your nickname?
Mike (01:36):
Ken.
Ken (01:38):
What?
CJ (01:39):
Would you prefer we call you by your nickname?
I
Ken (01:41):
listen,
CJ (01:42):
mean, you have several.
Ken (01:43):
you wanna get into this conversation, we certainly can.
CJ (01:46):
This is not the time or the place, trust me.
Ken (01:49):
Okay, so that's, that's what I thought.
Okay.
Mike (01:53):
Y'all are crazy.
I know we just spoke a coupledays ago, but, Our W2s are
crazy.
CJ (01:58):
Mm
Mike (01:59):
It's 65 here, Or 69, or a little bit
CJ (02:02):
And this,
Mike (02:03):
that.
It's almost 70 degrees inChicago.
So I'm excited.
CJ (02:06):
that's what it is here.
Ken (02:07):
to be, it to be the best city, it's like 75 degrees here,
it's a beautiful day, you mightwanna rethink that.
CJ (02:16):
Yeah, and where are you?
You left work and now you backat work, so you won't get to
enjoy any of that 75 degrees, soyou can go on and eat that.
Ken (02:24):
but I will, once I get out of here, that's, that's the goal
is to be done here, change myclothes, head outside, hit the
CJ (02:31):
And look, I can't tell the 75.
You sitting there in a goldLeMay thermal.
Ken (02:35):
Correct.
Listen, listen, I got to givethe people what they need.
Okay.
That's exactly what this
CJ (02:40):
That ain't what they need.
Ken (02:41):
Oh,
Mike (02:43):
We'll take a poll on YouTube.
Because people can't see you onApple or Spotify.
CJ (02:47):
You know, flesh tone
Mike (02:49):
y'all
CJ (02:49):
top you got
Mike (02:50):
need?
Ken (02:51):
listen.
CJ (02:54):
looking naked.
Ken (02:54):
Things are good.
You know, actually, chattingwith my, with my sister today at
lunchtime and, I was sayingtalking about, you know, we're
doing a family vacation inMontego Bay and I was like, you
know, I was like, now's the timeto start thinking about like
what's going on, like, you know,for the summer.
And I'm really looking forwardto, you know, us all spending
some time together.
(03:15):
I know we're going to go see,Beyonce
Mike (03:16):
Okay.
Ken (03:37):
yeah, and then actually my, My college roommate is on his
second marriage and, is gettingmarried in Lake Tahoe.
I think around the time that weactually get back from Greece.
So, I'll probably be extendingmy vacation and heading out
CJ (03:52):
where is Lake Tahoe
Ken (03:55):
California.
It's a few hours from Vegas, soit's right on the, kind of right
on the border of California andNevada.
CJ (04:03):
in the summer?
Ken (04:05):
It would be, yeah, I guess late summer, early
CJ (04:08):
Look, don't fall for what these people say about dry heat.
Hot as hot.
I'm just saying.
Mike (04:15):
suits.
Just sweating, makeup, nothing.
CJ (04:19):
and look, you know you sweat eating hot sauce.
So what you gonna do out in 110degree weather?
Ken (04:23):
it.
Let's do it.
Let's do it.
But listen, this is why I workhard, because I can be in air
conditioning.
You hear me?
ain't got to be out in theelements like that.
CJ (04:32):
Okay,
Ken (04:33):
so
CJ (04:35):
beach somewhere in the desert somewhere exactly
Ken (04:41):
there is no beach in Lake Tahoe.
CJ (04:43):
I meant desert
Ken (04:44):
Lake Tahoe.
I understand that you were, youwent to the Paducah Public
School, but you know, there issomething
CJ (04:53):
Remember what I said about time and place
Mike (04:57):
Yeah, you didn't have to call him out in public like
that.
CJ (05:01):
I'm proud of where I'm from.
Forget y'all.
Ken (05:04):
All right, let's get started.
CJ (05:06):
Yes, we let's let's do that.
Besides, I'm pretty much overthe moon about today's show
anyway.
Who would have thought this timelast year number one that I'd
be.
Co hosting a podcast with two ofthe craziest people on the face
of the earth.
But I'd also be interviewingsomeone that I've known since
(05:27):
they were pretty much baby.
It, it, you, you, you, you couldpinch me a thousand times and I,
I could never have written this,this person that we will be.
Interviewing this evening, I'vehad the pleasure of knowing
forever, pretty much her wholelife.
She's always had this largerthan life personality.
(05:47):
She's an absolute sweetheart.
Today we are nestled at theintersection of culture and
entrepreneurship, With one ofthe best people I know outside
of you two.
She is the owner and creativedirector of Chicago based floral
design company, The SunniestDesigns.
Mike (06:05):
of
CJ (06:06):
specializes in events and personal deliveries for
weddings, special events, andfloral design classes.
The Sonny's Designs has beenfeatured in Modern Luxury
Weddings, Chicago Magazine,Chicago Style Weddings, and
Munalichi Bride.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring tothe table tonight, Miss Sonny
Jackson.
(06:28):
Hello, hello.
Ken (06:29):
to the show.
CJ (06:30):
Hello and welcome.
Sunny Jackson (06:30):
you guys for having me, I'm so excited to be
here.
My Uncle Chris, I cannot believeit's been, going on 29 years,
right?
CJ (06:39):
You look powered, are you?
Sunny Jackson (06:42):
I'll be 29
Mike (06:43):
everyone.
CJ (06:43):
There you go.
Sunny Jackson (06:45):
Mm hmm,
CJ (06:46):
Who the thunk it?
Sunny Jackson (06:48):
I know.
It's so good to be here, though.
I love the space that you guyshave created.
I love, like, you guys missionand what you're trying to do.
It's an honor to be here.
Thank you guys for having me.
CJ (06:59):
Thank you for joining us.
Mike (07:00):
Your, your name definitely matches you because you, from
the moment you hit the camera,you were smiling and I'm like,
Ken (07:06):
Okay.
CJ (07:29):
seen it from your,
Ken (07:30):
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (07:46):
with, like, a STEM
Ken (07:47):
Okay.
Okay.
Mike (08:01):
we're okay?
that's the
CJ (08:05):
on the same team?
Ken (08:06):
Okay.
Mike (08:12):
of it.
Okay.
let's making the first part
Sunny Jackson (08:21):
to have like an eye
Mike (08:22):
Okay.
So we're going to have aconversation about the top 10
sectors that we care about, andthen I'm going to have a
conversation about the top 10sectors that we care about.
So I'm going to take a fewminutes to introduce our next
panelist, and she's going to beour guest speaker on the next
panel, and she's going to be ourpanelist for the first time, so
let's get her on.
So she's going to talk about theexpertise of all of our
(08:44):
panelists, and then we'll haveher take a few minutes to
address some of the questionsthat we have for her.
I'm go through the next section.
I'm going to go through the nextsection.
Okay.
Okay.
CJ (09:04):
of your influences?
Mike (09:07):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
everybody.
CJ (09:15):
entrepreneurship and and also, that kind of guided you
into this floral world, if youwill.
Mike (09:22):
Yeah, no, collaborations.
Sunny Jackson (09:28):
I guess I've never
Mike (09:29):
That the child has a copy of the document Yeah.
Yeah.
Nice.
And how did you come up with thename of your, your company?
I've
Ken (09:47):
Hello.
Mike (09:56):
Well, I didn't know if there was like, you know,
sometimes you create, you, yourname is sunny and you do
designs, but
Ken (10:03):
Okay.
Mike (10:10):
of just your name because, so my last name is love it.
And I went to Ohio university.
And when I created an email backin the day, it's, Oh, you love
it.
didn't think anything about it.
So when people are like, how didyou come up with that?
It wasn't because my name islove it.
And I mean, it's because my namewas love it.
And I went to OU, but I didn'tthink of like, Oh, you love it.
Like, and people have to tellme, and I was like, Oh my God,
(10:32):
there's more, there's more to itthan what.
what
CJ (10:35):
How did you not hear that
Mike (10:36):
know it was
CJ (10:37):
out loud?
Mike (10:38):
do you say
CJ (10:38):
How did you not catch that?
If you said it out loud,
Sunny Jackson (10:41):
Right.
Mike (10:42):
because I said it in my mind CJ I didn't say it out
loud.
I was just like, OhioUniversity.
Love it So, let me just
Ken (10:50):
test.
you Okay.
Mike (10:56):
She was like, what's your email address?
I said, oh you love it at Ithink it was like Bobcat.
net or something crazy back thenshe's like, Oh, that's such a
cool name.
And I was like, what?
She's like, Oh, you love it.
And I was like, Oh, that is acool name.
All by mistake.
But anyway, back to you.
Sunny Jackson (11:16):
I know
Mike (11:17):
So you.
Sunny Jackson (11:17):
is cooler when, like, you hear it, like, you
think something is so simple,but, like, other people will
take it, be like, oh, like, thatwas the coolest thing ever.
That's so awesome though.
Mike (11:28):
Yeah.
So I.
So my mind straight to like, youknow, flowers need sunlight.
I don't know.
Ken (11:37):
Yeah.
Right.
Have a great
Mike (11:50):
I love it.
So, I'm still in some of yourquestions, CJ.
Sorry.
But,
CJ (11:56):
well,
Mike (12:08):
Going into business in general?
Sunny Jackson (12:11):
Honestly, the biggest challenge is probably
myself,
Ken (12:15):
okay.
Okay.
All right.
Okay.
So, this is really a,
Sunny Jackson (12:49):
no one can tell me
Ken (12:50):
And so
Mike (12:50):
you have to watch this.
That's a lot of content for youto watch.
Who is the person?
It's a really good question.
I'll tell you a little bit aboutmyself.
I'm a full time coach.
I teach at the School of MentalHealth.
I teach at the School of MentalHealth.
I teach with the deaf community.
I teach at the University ofMichigan.
And I teach at the University ofMichigan.
I teach at the University ofMichigan.
I'm in the Department ofLearning, and, I teach at the
College of Arts and Sciences.
Nice.
Sunny Jackson (13:29):
but I mean don't we all have that little voice in
actuality like yeah, I'm I'm apretty easygoing girl I'm cool
to talk to but like everyone hasthat little voice of like What
if this or what if this goeswrong or what if I accidentally
say the wrong thing?
like you kind of have to justPush yourself
Ken (13:48):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (14:02):
spin it You can play the what if game but play
it positively.
Mike (14:07):
Exactly.
Okay.
Ken (14:17):
of the things that you did to take those challenges head
on, right, and get to thatpositive space that you were
just talking about?
Sunny Jackson (14:27):
Oh how to get there like we were just talking
about it Fake it baby.
it.
You have to do it scaredsometimes You're not gonna
Automatically come out the gateperfect.
I mean, if you do, okay, like,go out there, do it, like, love
that.
But, you have to, I don't know,sometimes you have to show up.
(14:48):
you know that saying, like, ifyou can't give 100%, give 80.
If you can't give 80, give 60.
You have to start showing up,and then showing up becomes
easier.
And then talking to new peoplebecomes easier.
So you take those baby steps.
doing the things that are alittle bit uncomfortable so you
can get yourself familiar withthem and that fear will kind of
go away.
CJ (15:10):
That's true.
Ken (15:12):
It's amazing.
CJ (15:30):
things going out of the gate.
What, was from a financialstandpoint, can you let our
listeners know what you did to,get established?
Like, did you put up all themoney yourself?
Did you take out a loan?
Did you know, you know, how didyou finance your business?
Sunny Jackson (15:50):
100 percent
Ken (15:52):
Okay.
Mike (16:07):
that can describe a person's, who they are, and the
way they feel about their self.
I think it's a word that candescribe a person's thought of
other people.
And I think it's a word that candescribe a person's connotations
and desires for life.
Sunny Jackson (16:24):
we all kind of had that, like,
Ken (16:26):
everyone.
Sunny Jackson (16:41):
like,
Ken (16:42):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
(17:02):
Okay.
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay.
Mike (17:12):
Yeah.
Okay.
(17:44):
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (17:45):
And that
Ken (17:45):
I'm sorry, but the other
CJ (17:55):
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
Mike (18:25):
that you, you use the word pivot and you talk through how
you got creative in order tomake the business work.
Because sometimes, you know,there's barriers and a lot of
new entrepreneurs, somethingwill happen like COVID.
And I'm like, you know, this isa sign and to give up, even
though I love this thing.
(18:45):
So, when, when you had to pivotand be creative, was it an easy
process for you or was itsomething you had to take a
pause and like, how am I goingto figure this out?
Mm hmm.
Sunny Jackson (19:12):
So when you, you feel the
Ken (19:16):
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (19:24):
in
Ken (19:25):
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (19:25):
ways Like you'll see a commercial someone has
flowers.
You'll see someone walking downthe street Someone has flowers
like there's a lot of thingsthat remind you This is what
you're supposed to be doing.
once you realize okay, I this ismy lane What can I do to make
this lane work for me the pivotkind of comes easily but until
(19:46):
you kind of have thatactualization, it's it's hard
growing is hard and It can bepainful,
CJ (19:54):
How
Mike (20:04):
Did you put like pieces of paper in a hat and throw it in
there?
Did you have a big whiteboardand you start like drawing up
stuff?
Did you look in magazines andstart cutting out papers and
putting one of, what was yourlike creative process to be
like, let's do flower grams.
Like how did you end up to that?
Sunny Jackson (20:21):
Yeah, well, I mean, I'm a big lover girl, I'm
an empath, so seeing the I missmy friends, the I wish that I
could go have dinner with, youknow, my aunts and my uncles,
like, seeing that and trying tofind a way to bridge that gap
between people who miss eachother and want to connect, in a
creative way, in a way that canstay around for a long time.
(20:45):
do love snail mail, but flowersjust kinda, they ground you,
they're so, they're beautiful.
And I could go on all day abouthow pretty flowers are, like,
don't get me on a tangent.
But, trying, basically seeingwhere there's a gap, seeing a
problem that could be solved, ora way to make something better,
(21:06):
is how most pivots begin for me.
Like solving for X, we lovecalculus.
Mike (21:14):
Perfect.
I mean, I sort of knew theanswer, but I'm happy that you
answered it that way.
You saw a problem and youprovided a solution.
Awesome.
Ken (21:23):
So can you talk about the talk about the beginning and
kind of when you got started?
What was?
Your approach to gettingbusiness, Cause I think that's
one of the things that a lot offolks who are listening, want to
better understand, like, whatwas your approach to, to getting
(21:44):
new business, to getting yourname out there.
CJ (21:47):
did you market yourself?
Sunny Jackson (21:49):
Yeah, I love marketing.
So I guess in the beginning, itwas a big social media game.
Big on Instagram, Facebook, andI think around that time, like,
Tick Tock was kind of like justgetting its footing.
I didn't really mess around withit too much.
But Instagram, I would say isprobably
Mike (22:06):
Okay.
I think it was Such a long,
Sunny Jackson (22:29):
at it as.
I'm looking for organic leads.
I want to connect with peoplewho align with the vision of my
business or my product, anddon't be afraid to, you know,
put yourself out there.
CJ (22:43):
You've,
Ken (22:44):
Here we go.
Hello,
CJ (22:53):
floors everywhere.
And with that market, I'm surebeing as large as it is
Mike (23:00):
should Glad
CJ (23:02):
of social media.
Mike (23:03):
my
CJ (23:04):
Clearly you you're driving customers to yourself that way,
but I'm curious for people thatare out there listening.
And those that, you know, havethe desire to get into something
that's kind of saturated.
What sets the sunniest designsapart from other florists in
Chicago?
Sunny Jackson (23:22):
I mean, yes, there are a lot of great
Ken (23:24):
Silence.
Sunny Jackson (23:47):
a learning, opening experience.
Mike (23:51):
Yes.
One way.
Okay.
Great.
Why is it going to do something?
I don't do a lot of stuff.
(24:15):
I don't know.
Sunny Jackson (24:19):
our cat was doing something weird, and, you know,
you put your cat on the screen,and you said hi, like, it's one
of those, like, I want to beyour friend, I want this
experience to be,
Mike (24:29):
Thanks for having me.
Sunny Jackson (24:34):
to be, like, The experience for you.
And so that's what I pridemyself on and I think that's
what makes us a little bitdifferent from the competition
out there
CJ (24:45):
I like that.
You said that it sounds likeyou, you try to make it even
more personal than what theoccasion actually is.
Ken (24:54):
Okay.
very much.
CJ (25:20):
you are engaged to be married and I know that.
Ken (25:24):
Bye, guys.
CJ (25:25):
Yeah, I didn't tell you guys that, but yeah.
Your mom just threw that on me 1day out of nowhere, but knowing
that, you know, now you areactually kind of on the other
side of the camera.
How has that affected yourthought process and your
approach to your designs?
Sunny Jackson (25:45):
Oh man, it's kind of rewired my brain a little
bit.
Mike (25:49):
I'm going to be speaking about the art of language.
And, and the, the, the, the,the, the, the, the, the, the,
the, the, the, the, the,
Sunny Jackson (26:10):
why got into this
Mike (26:12):
So I'm gonna give you a little bit of time to do that.
And I'm gonna share with yousome of the questions.
And, I'm gonna show you some ofthese pictures.
So, let me show you thepictures.
One of the questions is, What'sthe difference between a B T R E
N E D Which one is this one?
Is it the B T R E N E D.
(26:34):
Which one is the B T R E N E D.
Sunny Jackson (26:38):
if that was a route that I wanted to take, but
I mean, I'm a
Mike (26:45):
your own flowers.
Sunny Jackson (26:47):
Okay, but, but listen, but
Mike (26:49):
I didn't want to, I didn't want to skip past that.
I'm sorry.
I had to interrupt you.
You're the
CJ (26:53):
You
Sunny Jackson (27:01):
is like, So I'm
CJ (27:03):
open the corn worms.
Sunny Jackson (27:05):
know, I know, and everyone's like poking me with
like spears right now.
It's not as busy as y'all aregoing to think it is.
Mike (27:17):
Okay.
Ken (27:18):
Okay.
Mike (27:18):
All right.
Ken (27:19):
Okay.
Mike (27:20):
alone.
You're the expert.
You know what you're
CJ (27:22):
Right.
Mike (27:23):
But I, I just like my skin crawled for a second.
I said, Ooh, Ooh, going to bebusy and Oh, Oh.
Sunny Jackson (27:31):
okay.
Off script, we're going to bedoing like live plants, so it's
going to be a lot of like soilbased stuff.
It won't be anything that I haveto like design a lot of.
So really focusing on my bouquetand Bryson's boutonniere.
I'm designing something very,very special for him.
(27:52):
I don't, to say I don't like atraditional boutonniere, for a
groom, like we go all out for abride.
You know what I'm saying?
For a groom, the same energy
CJ (28:03):
up.
Sunny Jackson (28:04):
to be kept.
Okay?
The same energy.
So you want like a huge lapelsash, like less.
Do it.
You want to feel kingly on yourwedding day?
Yeah.
Mike (28:15):
Mhm.
Sunny Jackson (28:16):
to me.
CJ (28:18):
All right, I need all the photos.
Ken (28:22):
but are you, are you just designing and overseeing the
execution or are you designingand executing?
Sunny Jackson (28:32):
I am designing and executing up until day of
the wedding.
Day of the wedding, someone elsewill
CJ (28:38):
Wow.
Ken (28:39):
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (28:40):
know, I'll be getting hair and makeup and like
Ken (28:42):
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (28:43):
So I know that was like the major, like, so
when are you going to get ready?
I know, I know that was theconcern, but I've planned for
that.
We got a team.
They'll, they'll take care ofit.
I, I got faith.
It'll work.
Mike (28:59):
Okay.
All right.
Listen, I got all the faith inyou.
I've I've seen the pictures oninstagram and on facebook and
everything and everything alwayslooks spot on.
So I Yeah, I'm sure your daywill your day will be amazing.
Sunny Jackson (29:16):
Yeah,
Mike (29:16):
I have a question I want to ask you, but I don't, I don't
want to ask this questionfollowing up this conversation.
So I'm going to let can ask aquestion and then I'm going to
ask my question and you'llunderstand why when I ask my
question.
Sunny Jackson (29:29):
okay.
CJ (29:30):
Oh, boy.
Ken (29:31):
Okay.
So, I want to, I want to dig ina little bit more the business
and what I want to, I guess.
better understand what is yourprocess with your clients?
Like, what do you, I know
CJ (29:47):
Okay.
My been asked
Ken (30:05):
is kind of based on your personality, I think this is
probably more of what, you know,what will, shine at your event.
Sunny Jackson (30:15):
Yeah.
Mean, we get that all the timeand I feel like the world of
flowers is kind of notnecessarily unknown, but not a
lot of people know a lot aboutit.
Like, yeah, we know our roses,our lilies, our carnations,
right?
But when it comes to, like,things like I mean, the first
time I told my mom aboutinstallations, she's like, what
(30:36):
is that?
So, it'll,
CJ (30:38):
that question.
So like,
Sunny Jackson (30:42):
it's when you make a structure out of flowers
or any type of, so like, I'llput flowers on the ceiling.
So like what?
CJ (30:53):
like a funeral?
Yeah, I said it a funeral.
Sunny Jackson (30:57):
Think,
Ken (30:57):
You know what?
Sunny Jackson (30:58):
yeah, think bigger though.
Think
Mike (31:02):
What about like, like an arch at the altar
CJ (31:06):
Okay, that too.
You
Sunny Jackson (31:08):
a format installation.
Mm hmm.
That too.
Think bigger.
Ken (31:13):
going to fight you, I swear.
Mike (31:17):
that there's that Paducah again?
Ken (31:19):
Right?
CJ (31:21):
I said what I said.
You're.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
(31:42):
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (31:46):
stuff comes in.
Mike (31:48):
Yeah.
Mhm.
Mhm.
Ken (32:08):
you are dealing with clients and you know, I guess,
helping them to express what itis that they want while also
being as creative as youpossibly can.
Sunny Jackson (32:19):
Yeah, so I like to treat every event kind of
like its own unique brandingstory.
So like every couple isdifferent, even down to like the
corporate clients.
Every corporation has adifferent vision or goal for
their event.
So I first, I'm a listening ear.
I'm like, you tell me everythingthat you think that you want and
(32:40):
then we can go from there.
So I let them kind of get it allout.
And then
Mike (32:46):
In the And I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm
Sunny Jackson (32:56):
of ladies choose lilies to represent like,
grandmothers, like matriarchalfigures.
But
Mike (33:02):
And it is the document that is used to recognize, to be
able to collect, a transcriptand, make it available to the
public.
And also being able to find aproof of copyright and make it
public in the year that it wasfiled before the election.
And it's also being used to openup access to early access to
what's happening.
Sunny Jackson (33:19):
wedding, what would it be?
So I know what needs to beperfect, right?
so I know what I Feelcomfortable?
Do you want them to be like,This is the main character
moment, like how, what kind offeelings do you want to invoke?
And then from there we'll getinto colors, textures, I kind of
work backwards.
I go big picture and then kindof minimize it down.
(33:40):
A
Ken (33:42):
Okay.
Okay.
Mike (33:45):
well, now I'll ask my question since it's more
appropriate after that question.
So, Sonny, not every day, You'regonna have a cloud in there
every once in a while.
It's gonna storm.
You like what I did there?
What is one mistake you madethat taught you a valuable
lesson?
Sunny Jackson (34:04):
mistake that taught also undervalues you.
So
CJ (34:19):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (34:37):
just because you want to get the work done, you
know?
So at a point, and COVID thinghad to do with that
Mike (34:46):
Provided by Transcription Outsourcing, LLC.
The board of trustees in theLet's go back and Do you have
any thoughts we would like tosupport a motion to approve the
(35:07):
motion on the board of trusteesapplication, so proud of the
board of trustees that Themotion is approved.
Sunny Jackson (35:17):
it to the second location.
So there are a lot of thingsthat you don't necessarily
consider.
So I would, yeah, the biggestmistake is definitely not
knowing my value.
And please, please do marketresearch going into an industry.
Please, please, please, pleasebe familiar with your industry,
(35:39):
look things up, see what othercompanies are doing, your
potential competitors, you know,
Mike (35:44):
Mm-hmm
Sunny Jackson (35:45):
offering, see what their price points are, so
that you know how to marketyourself and so that you are
also know,
Mike (35:54):
Self worth, you know of what you're bringing to the
market But you didn't let thatstop you you just like There and
do it and that's what you did Soand that's how you got here six
years later killing it
Sunny Jackson (36:06):
You just got to keep
Ken (36:07):
go to the next
Mike (36:21):
Love it.
CJ (36:21):
So, Sonny, you mentioned, that you work with wholesalers
and I'm curious with the, thelarge quantities of flowers that
you deal with on a regularbasis.
Talk about forming some of thoserelationships with those
wholesalers and what.
What, things you've done to, toget through, you know, I know
the economy is probablyaffecting you like it is
(36:42):
everybody else.
You know, how did you set upthose relationships in the
beginning so that you'resuccessful in the back end?
Mike (36:50):
All right in the important relationships
Sunny Jackson (36:53):
yeah.
Honestly, like my reps, I lovemy rep.
I love, love, love them.
When I first started, trying to,like, get into those wholesale
markets, I don't know, like theflower markets, right?
It was, they kind of give you a,like when you first get in, they
give you like a, Oh, here's alike random salesperson.
(37:16):
Right.
And there's a bunch of them.
You can see them.
You can interact with themwhenever you go.
So.
When I first went, I just kindof like, introduced myself,
started asking questions, whereare things, like, let it be
known that this is your firsttime there, they're going to be
so happy to help you, and I'm, Iknow that's not just true for
the flower markets, butanywhere, whatever your industry
(37:38):
is, like, hey, this is my firsttime at this market.
I would love to know what the
Ken (37:43):
Silence.
Sunny Jackson (37:53):
of that, I would say, like, make sure you form
those relationships firstbecause they will tend to help
you out in areas where youdidn't even know that you needed
help.
Mike (38:03):
Okay.
And I made a statement aboutthree weeks ago, about the other
day, where I said that, I'm notgoing to be on the massive news
I'm going to be on the massmedia for a week, to try and get
you to get a news.
I did that and we still have tofigure out how to get there.
I'm going to get that news rightback to you.
But I think that's maybe thebest way
Sunny Jackson (38:22):
my guy, he always gets it done for me, he's, he's
the best.
CJ (38:26):
It's that relationship you built,
Mike (38:28):
able to go into the business of the Realtor with
full freedom and fullresponsibility.
And now moving forward now we'regoing to be able to engage with
the Realtors to see what'spossible with them and what
steps are they taking to bringI'm excited for the Realtor.
It's going to be a very similarprocess to the business of
investing.
You know, the business ofinvesting, the business of
(38:48):
investing, the business ofinvesting funds, and the
business of investing withpeople
Sunny Jackson (38:52):
that, but there's a right way to say it.
Yeah, just get to know yourfolks, because they low key want
to get to know you too.
Like, everyone wants a friend.
Make a friend.
Mike (39:02):
Nice.
Ken (39:04):
Ever been a time when, the wholesaler didn't have what you
needed and you kind of had toscramble or pivot?
Can you kind of just talk, theaudience through that particular
scenario and kind of what youdid, you know, in order to not
alienate the relationship,right?
And, you know, kind of howthings turned out.
I
Sunny Jackson (39:25):
I told you how often things don't work out
with, like, flower farms andwholesalers, you, you wouldn't
believe it.
Almost, like, I would saypercent of the time, something,
something is going to go wrongwith your order.
50 percent of the time.
Murphy's law, count on it.
Okay?
So that is why we always order a
Mike (39:47):
Silence.
Sunny Jackson (39:51):
But going back to the wholesalers Things go wrong
Right white roses.
They're not on here.
He'll be like, Oh, we're out ofthe playa Blanca is probably one
of my favorite white roses.
But, are our options forsubstitutions.
So, always be open to a sub.
Job done at the end of the day,and sometimes you can't put all
(40:14):
your eggs in one basket, sothat's
CJ (40:15):
Silence.
Silence.
Sunny Jackson (40:35):
our contracts as well we're very transparent
about the fact that a flowersare a perishable product We are
working with a very very tightwindow to do these things and
Flowers are a natural productfrom Mother Earth herself.
You can't control the hue of acolor.
You can't control the size of ahead of a flower.
(40:57):
You know, like, nature gives
Mike (41:00):
So, you know, so.
So, I'm going to, I'm going to,I'm going to show you some, some
of the stuff that you can do.
So, this is the, the DTSinterpretation of the,
Sunny Jackson (41:22):
they are.
Brides are surprised theirbouquets can end up being like
10 pounds.
You're holding that all day, youknow?
So, yeah.
CJ (41:32):
10 pounds.
Good Lord.
Sunny Jackson (41:33):
original question.
I'm going off on so manytangents right now,
Ken (41:35):
Oh,
CJ (41:36):
No, you're fine.
Mike (41:55):
so you, you probably have it a little bit more figured
out, but Yeah.
How is your, how is your worklife balance with your business?
Sunny Jackson (42:02):
Now it is amazing.
You have to kind of set thoseboundaries with yourself.
When I first started, 24 hours aday.
If I was awake and my eyes wereopen, I was on Instagram.
I was marketing myself.
I was, you know, reaching out topeople that I could partner
with.
I was on my computer team typingvery fast the time, every waking
(42:25):
moment of every day.
if you do that, it leads toburnout.
So, so fast, faster than peoplewant to admit.
Like, if you go like thatconsistently, you won't last a
year.
You
Mike (42:36):
Mm-hmm All very much for joining us today, and we'll see
you next time.
Bye bye.
Sunny Jackson (42:55):
But if you don't take your time to rest, your
body will pick it for you and itwill be very, very inconvenient
when it does.
So.
CJ (43:03):
Right.
Sunny Jackson (43:04):
Find, find your life's palette cleansers, is
what I like to call them.
Mike (43:09):
Nice,
CJ (43:09):
like that.
Mike (43:10):
you like the game, but when you say game, what do you
mean by game?
Sunny Jackson (43:14):
Oh,
Mike (43:15):
What game do you?
Sunny Jackson (43:16):
PlayStation Switch, we've got like, I'm
looking at like seven differentlike gaming consoles right now,
like PlayStation
Mike (43:22):
you play Call of Duty at all?
CJ (43:23):
Oh.
Sunny Jackson (43:24):
a Call of Duty girl, I'm not, but,
CJ (43:28):
was going to say, don't say yes.
Sunny Jackson (43:31):
I'm not, but I could, I could learn real fast.
And I could be, I could learnenough to be a problem.
So,
Mike (43:42):
bring it on problem.
Bring it on.
I'm
Sunny Jackson (43:44):
I'm like, give me like a week to get my skills up
and I'll hit you up.
Don't worry.
Mike (43:49):
ready.
I'm always ready.
Ken (43:51):
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
Mike (44:13):
I will make sure that you tell me what you're doing in the
chat and I'll be happy to helpyou.
Was it an audio issue?
Yep.
Can you hear me?
Yes.
No, I didn't hear anything.
Oh, okay.
Okay.
So if you like I can, I can seeyou.
Okay.
So So, I would like to introduceto your audience, one of the one
of the first digital art She'sbeen with us since I was nine
years old.
She's been around a decade.
Sunny Jackson (44:34):
me not have to as hard, you know,
Ken (44:39):
Okay.
Okay.
Yeah.
Mike (45:14):
ask you,
Ken (45:14):
Bye bye.
CJ (45:15):
what is the flower butter?
Sunny Jackson (45:17):
I'm like, I get so used to using the jargon.
Sorry.
says I have to get better aboutthat.
So a flower bar, I basicallybring, let's say like 10 to 12
different types of flowers andgreenery.
We arrange them all like bytype, so they're all in like
their own little buckets, cutelittle buckets.
And I kind of walk peoplethrough the process of Picking
(45:40):
flowers that go good together,getting them with building their
own bouquet, and they walk awaywith something to take home,
give to their loved ones, keepfor themselves.
CJ (45:51):
Nice.
Sunny Jackson (45:52):
able to reach a lot of people in a short amount
of time that way.
So I'm able to like, maximizeit, but still kind of do the
same thing where I reach a lotof people.
CJ (46:01):
That's smart.
Mike (46:03):
Nice
Ken (46:03):
that's great.
That is, that's ingenious.
Mike (46:07):
flower bar.
Sunny Jackson (46:08):
yeah, I'm like, how can we do the same thing,
but like, it takes two hoursinstead of 20?
CJ (46:14):
There you go.
Sunny Jackson (46:15):
Yeah.
Mike (46:15):
I feel what you're doing.
You haven't people built theirown bouquets and take them home.
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (46:21):
walk you through it.
I'll still show you how to makeit look really nice.
I've got wrapping paper, I'vegot ribbons, I've got note card
stations with like sharpies andstickers and like glitter pens,
like you can go all out, but Idon't have to do it.
Yeah.
Mike (46:38):
right?
There's so many businesses thatdo it.
If you think about it, like thecandle lab, you go make your own
candle.
Paint and sip, whatever you goand you paint your own picture.
So why not in floral, in thefloral world?
I
Sunny Jackson (47:01):
company.
Ken (47:01):
Okay.
We're gonna be back thisafternoon at 10.
We'll see
Sunny Jackson (47:21):
a smile to so many people, but get them
thinking about, Okay.
An art of some sort, breakingthem out
Ken (47:28):
you at 10.
Silence.
Silence.
CJ (47:40):
one question.
One last question from myselfthat I want to ask and this is
it can be a throwaway, but I'mjust curious if you could create
an arrangement for a famousperson, who would it be and why?
Sunny Jackson (47:56):
For one, only one?
CJ (47:58):
Well, I mean, more than one if it's necessary.
Mike (48:01):
Nope.
Nope.
This is going to be tough.
You get, you get one.
Sunny Jackson (48:05):
okay, alright, alright.
Kiki Palmer.
CJ (48:11):
Okay.
Why?
Sunny Jackson (48:12):
Palmer.
She's such a girl's girl.
She's such a, she's such a lightto people.
She,
CJ (48:22):
Yes, I
Sunny Jackson (48:23):
that energy and I feel like she deserves to be
celebrated way, way.
Way more than she is.
She is just, we love Kiki.
In this
CJ (48:35):
agree.
We may have to
Sunny Jackson (48:39):
I'm like, Kiki, if you listening, girl, and you
in Chicago, Hit me up.
I got you.
CJ (48:45):
find out a way to.
They have to find out a way to,to, post this and tagger it.
Ken (48:51):
Yeah, we'll just, that's it.
We'll just post it and tag herin there and let her know what
you just said.
Of
CJ (48:57):
Well, listen, then I'm putting it out in the universe
then.
When the time comes, honey, I'mgoing to have you create an
arrangement for queen Latifah,my girl,
Sunny Jackson (49:06):
please!
CJ (49:07):
saying,
Sunny Jackson (49:07):
The queen!
Mike (49:10):
Yeah, he look.
CJ (49:11):
be queen.
For some reason
Ken (49:14):
a funeral and now he said, when the time comes, you're cut
off.
Sunny Jackson (49:19):
That's
CJ (49:19):
for some reason,
Sunny Jackson (49:20):
be pretty,
Mike (49:20):
Yeah,
Sunny Jackson (49:23):
of life.
Ken (49:24):
Yeah, but II don't think Latifah, I don't think that's
what she's, that's not whatshe's expecting.
Sunny Jackson (49:28):
That's
CJ (49:29):
It
Sunny Jackson (49:29):
We're all about pivot.
We can do multiple styles.
CJ (49:33):
in his mind just pivoted to a place that it should not have
Mike (49:38):
so stupid.
Well, we are coming close totime.
So and we don't want to, youknow, keep you on too long.
So we're going to get to one ofmy favorite parts of the show
where I get to do this.
CJ (49:53):
I'm gonna find one this weekend.
Mike (49:54):
soundboard you call it.
We're going to do a lightninground.
Ken (49:58):
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (50:21):
Okay, I'm ready.
I'm ready.
Here we go.
CJ (50:25):
Use that stem mind.
Mike (50:26):
I feel like you got this.
I feel like you got this.
Ken (50:29):
100 percent she's got this.
Mike (50:31):
All right.
So what I'm going to do is I'llstart the timer after Ken asked
his first question and thenwe'll go from there.
Ken (50:38):
All right, Sonny, are you ready?
Sunny Jackson (50:40):
I'm like
Ken (50:40):
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (50:41):
Let's do it.
Ken (50:42):
All right.
Let's go.
For vacation, beach ormountains?
Sunny Jackson (50:46):
Ooh, mountains.
Ken (50:47):
Okay.
food?
Sunny Jackson (50:50):
I love to eat, pasta.
Any kind of pasta with, like, acreamy sauce.
Ken (50:56):
Very good.
Guilty pleasure?
Sunny Jackson (50:59):
It changes, right now I'm really into
Mike (51:02):
Hello.
Hello.
Hello.
CJ (51:30):
expect that.
Ken (51:32):
And lastly, what is your favorite flower?
Sunny Jackson (51:37):
And time.
How could you How could
Mike (51:43):
You got, you got this.
Go ahead.
Sunny Jackson (51:44):
that?
Mike (51:46):
Answer it.
Answer it.
Sunny Jackson (51:49):
hmm.
A Zia,
CJ (51:54):
Okay.
So we're going to, we're allgoing to have to look that up
and
Mike (51:59):
now.
Azenia.
Sunny Jackson (52:01):
Zia.
Ken (52:02):
We know what is it.
CJ (52:04):
that was going to be my next question.
Ken (52:05):
they are, as a matter of fact, you would wear one in your
hair.
Cookie.
They're nice, big, bright,
Mike (52:11):
Oh, those are cute.
I like those.
CJ (52:13):
My last name is not Ripperton.
Q tip is not sampling my music.
Mike (52:20):
That's funny.
Sunny Jackson (52:21):
silly.
Mike (52:22):
huh.
Well, this, this has been great.
I've learned a lot about thefloral industry that, never
would have thought about,especially the behind the scene
things.
Ken (52:29):
Yeah.
Mike (52:30):
You gave some nuggets in there for people who are looking
to be business owners andentrepreneurs and little, some
things to think about in thebeginning.
Especially with self confidenceand stepping out there and being
their true self and, takingimperfect action.
So yeah, so I really appreciateyou.
And before we go, of course,you're gonna have to let all the
(52:51):
people know, can they find you?
Sunny Jackson (52:53):
Yes, please find me.
You can follow us on socialmedia at the sunniest designs.
Subscribe to us on our websiteat the sunniest designs dot com.
We'll be having some info onsome educational classes coming
out soon.
Keep an eye out for Mother'sDay.
And yeah, follow us like us.
Tell a friend.
CJ (53:12):
I have a quick question.
Do you ship out of state?
Do you ship outside of Chicago?
Ken (53:18):
the rejection of
Mike (53:20):
Nice.
CJ (53:21):
I hope my mom's
Mike (53:21):
you, I'm sorry, you just said something.
You said that,
Ken (53:24):
commission The
Mike (53:27):
like virtual, virtual classes or?
CJ (53:30):
in person.
Sunny Jackson (53:30):
of
Ken (53:31):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (53:37):
and daughter, or like mom and kid type of,
arrangement making class.
So I'll
Mike (53:42):
Oh, so it's, it's, it's at the shop
Sunny Jackson (53:46):
Mm hmm.
Mike (53:47):
or is it virtual?
Sunny Jackson (53:48):
it'll
Mike (53:48):
So it's at the shop.
Sunny Jackson (53:49):
Yeah, it'll be at a venue.
Mm hmm.
Mike (53:51):
Okay.
Got it.
Cause I was going to say if it'svirtual, we're going to provide
the link and let everybody knowhow they could join.
CJ (53:56):
right.
Mike (53:57):
But here in Chicago,
CJ (53:59):
Well, send us the information.
Once you have it all set, you
Sunny Jackson (54:03):
Yeah, I'll send it to you guys,
CJ (54:05):
can put it on our page.
Sunny Jackson (54:06):
up.
Chicago is the best city.
Ken (54:08):
Okay.
CJ (54:15):
So I have no dog in this fight.
Ken (54:17):
listen, I'm going to leave it alone because I don't
disagree.
It is, but it's only the bestcity from May to August.
Oh,
Mike (54:27):
right.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (54:30):
about that.
We got, we got the holidaytrain.
got the rooftop igloos, youknow.
We've got the ice skating rinkdown at Millennium Park.
Okay, don't play with us.
Ken (54:41):
we got all of that here too.
nothing.
Sunny Jackson (54:44):
with us.
CJ (54:45):
Look, I'm just going to
Mike (54:46):
You
CJ (54:46):
step aside.
Absolutely.
Mike (54:54):
We could do it in an igloo.
got flowers that can hang outoutside in the cold.
Sunny Jackson (54:58):
We've done flowers on a boat.
We've done it on the citycruises.
So, we
Mike (55:03):
Nice.
Sunny Jackson (55:04):
anywhere.
Mike (55:05):
Sunny, we're having everybody who does an interview
with us, at the end of the show,they have to do a Wakanda peace
pause.
And what it is, why are y'alllaughing?
CJ (55:14):
inquisitive.
Like what the hell are youtalking about?
Ken (55:17):
As well.
You should as well.
You should be.
Mike (55:20):
So, yeah, so I was just randomly thinking one day, I was
like, we need to do somethinglike that's like weird and
different, you know, we did thelightning round, but a lot of
people do the lightning round.
So I just randomly came up withthe Wakanda peace pause.
And what it is is at the end ofthe show, everyone, I'm going to
count to three and everybody'sgoing to do this.
And you're just going to smileat the camera and just pause.
(55:41):
And then we're just going to usethat later.
I'm just going to take a pictureof it later and use it on social
media.
It's just one
Sunny Jackson (55:48):
I'm ready.
Mike (55:49):
Okay, you ready?
We're going to count to threeand we're going to do the
Wakanda peace pause.
One, two, and three.
Ken (55:58):
Silence.
Mike (56:07):
Well, again, I really appreciate you.
You've been great, Sunny.
CJ (56:10):
Thank you so much.
Sunny Jackson (56:12):
So much for having me.
Thank you so much.
This was awesome.
Hello and welcome to the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast
where culture, entrepreneurship,and business intersect to fuel
inspiration.
This podcast celebrates thepower of diverse voices shaping
the future of business.
So whether you're building abusiness, breaking barriers,
we're just looking for someserious inspiration here in the
right place.
(00:21):
The Black Bridge mindset whereculture and entrepreneurship
collide.
Mike (2) (00:26):
happy, what is it?
Tuesday?
we've literally recorded, howmany?
One, two,
CJ (00:33):
number five.
Mike (00:34):
four, Yeah, this is number five.
We recorded like five episodeswithin a week and a half, which
is like crazy.
CJ (00:44):
Oh, wow.
Mike (2) (00:45):
Thinking that we started this not knowing what
the hell we were doing.
We had absolutely nothing.
We didn't have cameras.
We didn't have microphones.
We didn't have anything and herewe are.
Recording our fifth episode ofthe Black Bridge Mindset.
So welcome, everybody.
If you're just tuning in.
My name is Mike Lovett and I amhere with two of my best
friends, CJ and Ken.
(01:06):
We are all in three differentcities.
city is the best, by the way.
am in Chicago, Illinois, and CJis in Columbus, Ohio, and Ken
Peak is in Atlanta, Georgia.
How are you guys doing?
CJ (01:20):
Doing good?
Ken (01:20):
I'm good.
And first of all, I don'tappreciate you two using my full
government name.
I understand
CJ (01:25):
Who's looking for you,
Ken (01:27):
syllable words, but still, that's not the point.
Mike (01:30):
just the way I'm used to your name,
CJ (01:32):
right?
Ken (01:33):
does, everybody does, that's all
CJ (01:34):
What would you prefer to be called?
Your nickname?
Mike (01:36):
Ken.
Ken (01:38):
What?
CJ (01:39):
Would you prefer we call you by your nickname?
I
Ken (01:41):
listen,
CJ (01:42):
mean, you have several.
Ken (01:43):
you wanna get into this conversation, we certainly can.
CJ (01:46):
This is not the time or the place, trust me.
Ken (01:49):
Okay, so that's, that's what I thought.
Okay.
Mike (01:53):
Y'all are crazy.
I know we just spoke a coupledays ago, but, Our W2s are
crazy.
CJ (01:58):
Mm
Mike (01:59):
It's 65 here, Or 69, or a little bit
CJ (02:02):
And this,
Mike (02:03):
that.
It's almost 70 degrees inChicago.
So I'm excited.
CJ (02:06):
that's what it is here.
Ken (02:07):
to be, it to be the best city, it's like 75 degrees here,
it's a beautiful day, you mightwanna rethink that.
CJ (02:16):
Yeah, and where are you?
You left work and now you backat work, so you won't get to
enjoy any of that 75 degrees, soyou can go on and eat that.
Ken (02:24):
but I will, once I get out of here, that's, that's the goal
is to be done here, change myclothes, head outside, hit the
CJ (02:31):
And look, I can't tell the 75.
You sitting there in a goldLeMay thermal.
Ken (02:35):
Correct.
Listen, listen, I got to givethe people what they need.
Okay.
That's exactly what this
CJ (02:40):
That ain't what they need.
Ken (02:41):
Oh,
Mike (02:43):
We'll take a poll on YouTube.
Because people can't see you onApple or Spotify.
CJ (02:47):
You know, flesh tone
Mike (02:49):
y'all
CJ (02:49):
top you got
Mike (02:50):
need?
Ken (02:51):
listen.
CJ (02:54):
looking naked.
Ken (02:54):
Things are good.
You know, actually, chattingwith my, with my sister today at
lunchtime and, I was sayingtalking about, you know, we're
doing a family vacation inMontego Bay and I was like, you
know, I was like, now's the timeto start thinking about like
what's going on, like, you know,for the summer.
And I'm really looking forwardto, you know, us all spending
some time together.
(03:15):
I know we're going to go see,Beyonce
Mike (03:16):
Okay.
Ken (03:37):
yeah, and then actually my, My college roommate is on his
second marriage and, is gettingmarried in Lake Tahoe.
I think around the time that weactually get back from Greece.
So, I'll probably be extendingmy vacation and heading out
CJ (03:52):
where is Lake Tahoe
Ken (03:55):
California.
It's a few hours from Vegas, soit's right on the, kind of right
on the border of California andNevada.
CJ (04:03):
in the summer?
Ken (04:05):
It would be, yeah, I guess late summer, early
CJ (04:08):
Look, don't fall for what these people say about dry heat.
Hot as hot.
I'm just saying.
Mike (04:15):
suits.
Just sweating, makeup, nothing.
CJ (04:19):
and look, you know you sweat eating hot sauce.
So what you gonna do out in 110degree weather?
Ken (04:23):
it.
Let's do it.
Let's do it.
But listen, this is why I workhard, because I can be in air
conditioning.
You hear me?
ain't got to be out in theelements like that.
CJ (04:32):
Okay,
Ken (04:33):
so
CJ (04:35):
beach somewhere in the desert somewhere exactly
Ken (04:41):
there is no beach in Lake Tahoe.
CJ (04:43):
I meant desert
Ken (04:44):
Lake Tahoe.
I understand that you were, youwent to the Paducah Public
School, but you know, there issomething
CJ (04:53):
Remember what I said about time and place
Mike (04:57):
Yeah, you didn't have to call him out in public like
that.
CJ (05:01):
I'm proud of where I'm from.
Forget y'all.
Ken (05:04):
All right, let's get started.
CJ (05:06):
Yes, we let's let's do that.
Besides, I'm pretty much overthe moon about today's show
anyway.
Who would have thought this timelast year number one that I'd
be.
Co hosting a podcast with two ofthe craziest people on the face
of the earth.
But I'd also be interviewingsomeone that I've known since
(05:27):
they were pretty much baby.
It, it, you, you, you, you couldpinch me a thousand times and I,
I could never have written this,this person that we will be.
Interviewing this evening, I'vehad the pleasure of knowing
forever, pretty much her wholelife.
She's always had this largerthan life personality.
(05:47):
She's an absolute sweetheart.
Today we are nestled at theintersection of culture and
entrepreneurship, With one ofthe best people I know outside
of you two.
She is the owner and creativedirector of Chicago based floral
design company, The SunniestDesigns.
Mike (06:05):
of
CJ (06:06):
specializes in events and personal deliveries for
weddings, special events, andfloral design classes.
The Sonny's Designs has beenfeatured in Modern Luxury
Weddings, Chicago Magazine,Chicago Style Weddings, and
Munalichi Bride.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring tothe table tonight, Miss Sonny
Jackson.
(06:28):
Hello, hello.
Ken (06:29):
to the show.
CJ (06:30):
Hello and welcome.
Sunny Jackson (06:30):
you guys for having me, I'm so excited to be
here.
My Uncle Chris, I cannot believeit's been, going on 29 years,
right?
CJ (06:39):
You look powered, are you?
Sunny Jackson (06:42):
I'll be 29
Mike (06:43):
everyone.
CJ (06:43):
There you go.
Sunny Jackson (06:45):
Mm hmm,
CJ (06:46):
Who the thunk it?
Sunny Jackson (06:48):
I know.
It's so good to be here, though.
I love the space that you guyshave created.
I love, like, you guys missionand what you're trying to do.
It's an honor to be here.
Thank you guys for having me.
CJ (06:59):
Thank you for joining us.
Mike (07:00):
Your, your name definitely matches you because you, from
the moment you hit the camera,you were smiling and I'm like,
Ken (07:06):
Okay.
CJ (07:29):
seen it from your,
Ken (07:30):
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (07:46):
with, like, a STEM
Ken (07:47):
Okay.
Okay.
Mike (08:01):
we're okay?
that's the
CJ (08:05):
on the same team?
Ken (08:06):
Okay.
Mike (08:12):
of it.
Okay.
let's making the first part
Sunny Jackson (08:21):
to have like an eye
Mike (08:22):
Okay.
So we're going to have aconversation about the top 10
sectors that we care about, andthen I'm going to have a
conversation about the top 10sectors that we care about.
So I'm going to take a fewminutes to introduce our next
panelist, and she's going to beour guest speaker on the next
panel, and she's going to be ourpanelist for the first time, so
let's get her on.
So she's going to talk about theexpertise of all of our
(08:44):
panelists, and then we'll haveher take a few minutes to
address some of the questionsthat we have for her.
I'm go through the next section.
I'm going to go through the nextsection.
Okay.
Okay.
CJ (09:04):
of your influences?
Mike (09:07):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
everybody.
CJ (09:15):
entrepreneurship and and also, that kind of guided you
into this floral world, if youwill.
Mike (09:22):
Yeah, no, collaborations.
Sunny Jackson (09:28):
I guess I've never
Mike (09:29):
That the child has a copy of the document Yeah.
Yeah.
Nice.
And how did you come up with thename of your, your company?
I've
Ken (09:47):
Hello.
Mike (09:56):
Well, I didn't know if there was like, you know,
sometimes you create, you, yourname is sunny and you do
designs, but
Ken (10:03):
Okay.
Mike (10:10):
of just your name because, so my last name is love it.
And I went to Ohio university.
And when I created an email backin the day, it's, Oh, you love
it.
didn't think anything about it.
So when people are like, how didyou come up with that?
It wasn't because my name islove it.
And I mean, it's because my namewas love it.
And I went to OU, but I didn'tthink of like, Oh, you love it.
Like, and people have to tellme, and I was like, Oh my God,
(10:32):
there's more, there's more to itthan what.
what
CJ (10:35):
How did you not hear that
Mike (10:36):
know it was
CJ (10:37):
out loud?
Mike (10:38):
do you say
CJ (10:38):
How did you not catch that?
If you said it out loud,
Sunny Jackson (10:41):
Right.
Mike (10:42):
because I said it in my mind CJ I didn't say it out
loud.
I was just like, OhioUniversity.
Love it So, let me just
Ken (10:50):
test.
you Okay.
Mike (10:56):
She was like, what's your email address?
I said, oh you love it at Ithink it was like Bobcat.
net or something crazy back thenshe's like, Oh, that's such a
cool name.
And I was like, what?
She's like, Oh, you love it.
And I was like, Oh, that is acool name.
All by mistake.
But anyway, back to you.
Sunny Jackson (11:16):
I know
Mike (11:17):
So you.
Sunny Jackson (11:17):
is cooler when, like, you hear it, like, you
think something is so simple,but, like, other people will
take it, be like, oh, like, thatwas the coolest thing ever.
That's so awesome though.
Mike (11:28):
Yeah.
So I.
So my mind straight to like, youknow, flowers need sunlight.
I don't know.
Ken (11:37):
Yeah.
Right.
Have a great
Mike (11:50):
I love it.
So, I'm still in some of yourquestions, CJ.
Sorry.
But,
CJ (11:56):
well,
Mike (12:08):
Going into business in general?
Sunny Jackson (12:11):
Honestly, the biggest challenge is probably
myself,
Ken (12:15):
okay.
Okay.
All right.
Okay.
So, this is really a,
Sunny Jackson (12:49):
no one can tell me
Ken (12:50):
And so
Mike (12:50):
you have to watch this.
That's a lot of content for youto watch.
Who is the person?
It's a really good question.
I'll tell you a little bit aboutmyself.
I'm a full time coach.
I teach at the School of MentalHealth.
I teach at the School of MentalHealth.
I teach with the deaf community.
I teach at the University ofMichigan.
And I teach at the University ofMichigan.
I teach at the University ofMichigan.
I'm in the Department ofLearning, and, I teach at the
College of Arts and Sciences.
Nice.
Sunny Jackson (13:29):
but I mean don't we all have that little voice in
actuality like yeah, I'm I'm apretty easygoing girl I'm cool
to talk to but like everyone hasthat little voice of like What
if this or what if this goeswrong or what if I accidentally
say the wrong thing?
like you kind of have to justPush yourself
Ken (13:48):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (14:02):
spin it You can play the what if game but play
it positively.
Mike (14:07):
Exactly.
Okay.
Ken (14:17):
of the things that you did to take those challenges head
on, right, and get to thatpositive space that you were
just talking about?
Sunny Jackson (14:27):
Oh how to get there like we were just talking
about it Fake it baby.
it.
You have to do it scaredsometimes You're not gonna
Automatically come out the gateperfect.
I mean, if you do, okay, like,go out there, do it, like, love
that.
But, you have to, I don't know,sometimes you have to show up.
(14:48):
you know that saying, like, ifyou can't give 100%, give 80.
If you can't give 80, give 60.
You have to start showing up,and then showing up becomes
easier.
And then talking to new peoplebecomes easier.
So you take those baby steps.
doing the things that are alittle bit uncomfortable so you
can get yourself familiar withthem and that fear will kind of
go away.
CJ (15:10):
That's true.
Ken (15:12):
It's amazing.
CJ (15:30):
things going out of the gate.
What, was from a financialstandpoint, can you let our
listeners know what you did to,get established?
Like, did you put up all themoney yourself?
Did you take out a loan?
Did you know, you know, how didyou finance your business?
Sunny Jackson (15:50):
100 percent
Ken (15:52):
Okay.
Mike (16:07):
that can describe a person's, who they are, and the
way they feel about their self.
I think it's a word that candescribe a person's thought of
other people.
And I think it's a word that candescribe a person's connotations
and desires for life.
Sunny Jackson (16:24):
we all kind of had that, like,
Ken (16:26):
everyone.
Sunny Jackson (16:41):
like,
Ken (16:42):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
(17:02):
Okay.
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay.
Mike (17:12):
Yeah.
Okay.
(17:44):
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (17:45):
And that
Ken (17:45):
I'm sorry, but the other
CJ (17:55):
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
Mike (18:25):
that you, you use the word pivot and you talk through how
you got creative in order tomake the business work.
Because sometimes, you know,there's barriers and a lot of
new entrepreneurs, somethingwill happen like COVID.
And I'm like, you know, this isa sign and to give up, even
though I love this thing.
(18:45):
So, when, when you had to pivotand be creative, was it an easy
process for you or was itsomething you had to take a
pause and like, how am I goingto figure this out?
Mm hmm.
Sunny Jackson (19:12):
So when you, you feel the
Ken (19:16):
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (19:24):
in
Ken (19:25):
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (19:25):
ways Like you'll see a commercial someone has
flowers.
You'll see someone walking downthe street Someone has flowers
like there's a lot of thingsthat remind you This is what
you're supposed to be doing.
once you realize okay, I this ismy lane What can I do to make
this lane work for me the pivotkind of comes easily but until
(19:46):
you kind of have thatactualization, it's it's hard
growing is hard and It can bepainful,
CJ (19:54):
How
Mike (20:04):
Did you put like pieces of paper in a hat and throw it in
there?
Did you have a big whiteboardand you start like drawing up
stuff?
Did you look in magazines andstart cutting out papers and
putting one of, what was yourlike creative process to be
like, let's do flower grams.
Like how did you end up to that?
Sunny Jackson (20:21):
Yeah, well, I mean, I'm a big lover girl, I'm
an empath, so seeing the I missmy friends, the I wish that I
could go have dinner with, youknow, my aunts and my uncles,
like, seeing that and trying tofind a way to bridge that gap
between people who miss eachother and want to connect, in a
creative way, in a way that canstay around for a long time.
(20:45):
do love snail mail, but flowersjust kinda, they ground you,
they're so, they're beautiful.
And I could go on all day abouthow pretty flowers are, like,
don't get me on a tangent.
But, trying, basically seeingwhere there's a gap, seeing a
problem that could be solved, ora way to make something better,
(21:06):
is how most pivots begin for me.
Like solving for X, we lovecalculus.
Mike (21:14):
Perfect.
I mean, I sort of knew theanswer, but I'm happy that you
answered it that way.
You saw a problem and youprovided a solution.
Awesome.
Ken (21:23):
So can you talk about the talk about the beginning and
kind of when you got started?
What was?
Your approach to gettingbusiness, Cause I think that's
one of the things that a lot offolks who are listening, want to
better understand, like, whatwas your approach to, to getting
(21:44):
new business, to getting yourname out there.
CJ (21:47):
did you market yourself?
Sunny Jackson (21:49):
Yeah, I love marketing.
So I guess in the beginning, itwas a big social media game.
Big on Instagram, Facebook, andI think around that time, like,
Tick Tock was kind of like justgetting its footing.
I didn't really mess around withit too much.
But Instagram, I would say isprobably
Mike (22:06):
Okay.
I think it was Such a long,
Sunny Jackson (22:29):
at it as.
I'm looking for organic leads.
I want to connect with peoplewho align with the vision of my
business or my product, anddon't be afraid to, you know,
put yourself out there.
CJ (22:43):
You've,
Ken (22:44):
Here we go.
Hello,
CJ (22:53):
floors everywhere.
And with that market, I'm surebeing as large as it is
Mike (23:00):
should Glad
CJ (23:02):
of social media.
Mike (23:03):
my
CJ (23:04):
Clearly you you're driving customers to yourself that way,
but I'm curious for people thatare out there listening.
And those that, you know, havethe desire to get into something
that's kind of saturated.
What sets the sunniest designsapart from other florists in
Chicago?
Sunny Jackson (23:22):
I mean, yes, there are a lot of great
Ken (23:24):
Silence.
Sunny Jackson (23:47):
a learning, opening experience.
Mike (23:51):
Yes.
One way.
Okay.
Great.
Why is it going to do something?
I don't do a lot of stuff.
(24:15):
I don't know.
Sunny Jackson (24:19):
our cat was doing something weird, and, you know,
you put your cat on the screen,and you said hi, like, it's one
of those, like, I want to beyour friend, I want this
experience to be,
Mike (24:29):
Thanks for having me.
Sunny Jackson (24:34):
to be, like, The experience for you.
And so that's what I pridemyself on and I think that's
what makes us a little bitdifferent from the competition
out there
CJ (24:45):
I like that.
You said that it sounds likeyou, you try to make it even
more personal than what theoccasion actually is.
Ken (24:54):
Okay.
very much.
CJ (25:20):
you are engaged to be married and I know that.
Ken (25:24):
Bye, guys.
CJ (25:25):
Yeah, I didn't tell you guys that, but yeah.
Your mom just threw that on me 1day out of nowhere, but knowing
that, you know, now you areactually kind of on the other
side of the camera.
How has that affected yourthought process and your
approach to your designs?
Sunny Jackson (25:45):
Oh man, it's kind of rewired my brain a little
bit.
Mike (25:49):
I'm going to be speaking about the art of language.
And, and the, the, the, the,the, the, the, the, the, the,
the, the, the, the, the,
Sunny Jackson (26:10):
why got into this
Mike (26:12):
So I'm gonna give you a little bit of time to do that.
And I'm gonna share with yousome of the questions.
And, I'm gonna show you some ofthese pictures.
So, let me show you thepictures.
One of the questions is, What'sthe difference between a B T R E
N E D Which one is this one?
Is it the B T R E N E D.
(26:34):
Which one is the B T R E N E D.
Sunny Jackson (26:38):
if that was a route that I wanted to take, but
I mean, I'm a
Mike (26:45):
your own flowers.
Sunny Jackson (26:47):
Okay, but, but listen, but
Mike (26:49):
I didn't want to, I didn't want to skip past that.
I'm sorry.
I had to interrupt you.
You're the
CJ (26:53):
You
Sunny Jackson (27:01):
is like, So I'm
CJ (27:03):
open the corn worms.
Sunny Jackson (27:05):
know, I know, and everyone's like poking me with
like spears right now.
It's not as busy as y'all aregoing to think it is.
Mike (27:17):
Okay.
Ken (27:18):
Okay.
Mike (27:18):
All right.
Ken (27:19):
Okay.
Mike (27:20):
alone.
You're the expert.
You know what you're
CJ (27:22):
Right.
Mike (27:23):
But I, I just like my skin crawled for a second.
I said, Ooh, Ooh, going to bebusy and Oh, Oh.
Sunny Jackson (27:31):
okay.
Off script, we're going to bedoing like live plants, so it's
going to be a lot of like soilbased stuff.
It won't be anything that I haveto like design a lot of.
So really focusing on my bouquetand Bryson's boutonniere.
I'm designing something very,very special for him.
(27:52):
I don't, to say I don't like atraditional boutonniere, for a
groom, like we go all out for abride.
You know what I'm saying?
For a groom, the same energy
CJ (28:03):
up.
Sunny Jackson (28:04):
to be kept.
Okay?
The same energy.
So you want like a huge lapelsash, like less.
Do it.
You want to feel kingly on yourwedding day?
Yeah.
Mike (28:15):
Mhm.
Sunny Jackson (28:16):
to me.
CJ (28:18):
All right, I need all the photos.
Ken (28:22):
but are you, are you just designing and overseeing the
execution or are you designingand executing?
Sunny Jackson (28:32):
I am designing and executing up until day of
the wedding.
Day of the wedding, someone elsewill
CJ (28:38):
Wow.
Ken (28:39):
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (28:40):
know, I'll be getting hair and makeup and like
Ken (28:42):
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (28:43):
So I know that was like the major, like, so
when are you going to get ready?
I know, I know that was theconcern, but I've planned for
that.
We got a team.
They'll, they'll take care ofit.
I, I got faith.
It'll work.
Mike (28:59):
Okay.
All right.
Listen, I got all the faith inyou.
I've I've seen the pictures oninstagram and on facebook and
everything and everything alwayslooks spot on.
So I Yeah, I'm sure your daywill your day will be amazing.
Sunny Jackson (29:16):
Yeah,
Mike (29:16):
I have a question I want to ask you, but I don't, I don't
want to ask this questionfollowing up this conversation.
So I'm going to let can ask aquestion and then I'm going to
ask my question and you'llunderstand why when I ask my
question.
Sunny Jackson (29:29):
okay.
CJ (29:30):
Oh, boy.
Ken (29:31):
Okay.
So, I want to, I want to dig ina little bit more the business
and what I want to, I guess.
better understand what is yourprocess with your clients?
Like, what do you, I know
CJ (29:47):
Okay.
My been asked
Ken (30:05):
is kind of based on your personality, I think this is
probably more of what, you know,what will, shine at your event.
Sunny Jackson (30:15):
Yeah.
Mean, we get that all the timeand I feel like the world of
flowers is kind of notnecessarily unknown, but not a
lot of people know a lot aboutit.
Like, yeah, we know our roses,our lilies, our carnations,
right?
But when it comes to, like,things like I mean, the first
time I told my mom aboutinstallations, she's like, what
(30:36):
is that?
So, it'll,
CJ (30:38):
that question.
So like,
Sunny Jackson (30:42):
it's when you make a structure out of flowers
or any type of, so like, I'llput flowers on the ceiling.
So like what?
CJ (30:53):
like a funeral?
Yeah, I said it a funeral.
Sunny Jackson (30:57):
Think,
Ken (30:57):
You know what?
Sunny Jackson (30:58):
yeah, think bigger though.
Think
Mike (31:02):
What about like, like an arch at the altar
CJ (31:06):
Okay, that too.
You
Sunny Jackson (31:08):
a format installation.
Mm hmm.
That too.
Think bigger.
Ken (31:13):
going to fight you, I swear.
Mike (31:17):
that there's that Paducah again?
Ken (31:19):
Right?
CJ (31:21):
I said what I said.
You're.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
(31:42):
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (31:46):
stuff comes in.
Mike (31:48):
Yeah.
Mhm.
Mhm.
Ken (32:08):
you are dealing with clients and you know, I guess,
helping them to express what itis that they want while also
being as creative as youpossibly can.
Sunny Jackson (32:19):
Yeah, so I like to treat every event kind of
like its own unique brandingstory.
So like every couple isdifferent, even down to like the
corporate clients.
Every corporation has adifferent vision or goal for
their event.
So I first, I'm a listening ear.
I'm like, you tell me everythingthat you think that you want and
(32:40):
then we can go from there.
So I let them kind of get it allout.
And then
Mike (32:46):
In the And I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm
Sunny Jackson (32:56):
of ladies choose lilies to represent like,
grandmothers, like matriarchalfigures.
But
Mike (33:02):
And it is the document that is used to recognize, to be
able to collect, a transcriptand, make it available to the
public.
And also being able to find aproof of copyright and make it
public in the year that it wasfiled before the election.
And it's also being used to openup access to early access to
what's happening.
Sunny Jackson (33:19):
wedding, what would it be?
So I know what needs to beperfect, right?
so I know what I Feelcomfortable?
Do you want them to be like,This is the main character
moment, like how, what kind offeelings do you want to invoke?
And then from there we'll getinto colors, textures, I kind of
work backwards.
I go big picture and then kindof minimize it down.
(33:40):
A
Ken (33:42):
Okay.
Okay.
Mike (33:45):
well, now I'll ask my question since it's more
appropriate after that question.
So, Sonny, not every day, You'regonna have a cloud in there
every once in a while.
It's gonna storm.
You like what I did there?
What is one mistake you madethat taught you a valuable
lesson?
Sunny Jackson (34:04):
mistake that taught also undervalues you.
So
CJ (34:19):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (34:37):
just because you want to get the work done, you
know?
So at a point, and COVID thinghad to do with that
Mike (34:46):
Provided by Transcription Outsourcing, LLC.
The board of trustees in theLet's go back and Do you have
any thoughts we would like tosupport a motion to approve the
(35:07):
motion on the board of trusteesapplication, so proud of the
board of trustees that Themotion is approved.
Sunny Jackson (35:17):
it to the second location.
So there are a lot of thingsthat you don't necessarily
consider.
So I would, yeah, the biggestmistake is definitely not
knowing my value.
And please, please do marketresearch going into an industry.
Please, please, please, pleasebe familiar with your industry,
(35:39):
look things up, see what othercompanies are doing, your
potential competitors, you know,
Mike (35:44):
Mm-hmm
Sunny Jackson (35:45):
offering, see what their price points are, so
that you know how to marketyourself and so that you are
also know,
Mike (35:54):
Self worth, you know of what you're bringing to the
market But you didn't let thatstop you you just like There and
do it and that's what you did Soand that's how you got here six
years later killing it
Sunny Jackson (36:06):
You just got to keep
Ken (36:07):
go to the next
Mike (36:21):
Love it.
CJ (36:21):
So, Sonny, you mentioned, that you work with wholesalers
and I'm curious with the, thelarge quantities of flowers that
you deal with on a regularbasis.
Talk about forming some of thoserelationships with those
wholesalers and what.
What, things you've done to, toget through, you know, I know
the economy is probablyaffecting you like it is
(36:42):
everybody else.
You know, how did you set upthose relationships in the
beginning so that you'resuccessful in the back end?
Mike (36:50):
All right in the important relationships
Sunny Jackson (36:53):
yeah.
Honestly, like my reps, I lovemy rep.
I love, love, love them.
When I first started, trying to,like, get into those wholesale
markets, I don't know, like theflower markets, right?
It was, they kind of give you a,like when you first get in, they
give you like a, Oh, here's alike random salesperson.
(37:16):
Right.
And there's a bunch of them.
You can see them.
You can interact with themwhenever you go.
So.
When I first went, I just kindof like, introduced myself,
started asking questions, whereare things, like, let it be
known that this is your firsttime there, they're going to be
so happy to help you, and I'm, Iknow that's not just true for
the flower markets, butanywhere, whatever your industry
(37:38):
is, like, hey, this is my firsttime at this market.
I would love to know what the
Ken (37:43):
Silence.
Sunny Jackson (37:53):
of that, I would say, like, make sure you form
those relationships firstbecause they will tend to help
you out in areas where youdidn't even know that you needed
help.
Mike (38:03):
Okay.
And I made a statement aboutthree weeks ago, about the other
day, where I said that, I'm notgoing to be on the massive news
I'm going to be on the massmedia for a week, to try and get
you to get a news.
I did that and we still have tofigure out how to get there.
I'm going to get that news rightback to you.
But I think that's maybe thebest way
Sunny Jackson (38:22):
my guy, he always gets it done for me, he's, he's
the best.
CJ (38:26):
It's that relationship you built,
Mike (38:28):
able to go into the business of the Realtor with
full freedom and fullresponsibility.
And now moving forward now we'regoing to be able to engage with
the Realtors to see what'spossible with them and what
steps are they taking to bringI'm excited for the Realtor.
It's going to be a very similarprocess to the business of
investing.
You know, the business ofinvesting, the business of
(38:48):
investing, the business ofinvesting funds, and the
business of investing withpeople
Sunny Jackson (38:52):
that, but there's a right way to say it.
Yeah, just get to know yourfolks, because they low key want
to get to know you too.
Like, everyone wants a friend.
Make a friend.
Mike (39:02):
Nice.
Ken (39:04):
Ever been a time when, the wholesaler didn't have what you
needed and you kind of had toscramble or pivot?
Can you kind of just talk, theaudience through that particular
scenario and kind of what youdid, you know, in order to not
alienate the relationship,right?
And, you know, kind of howthings turned out.
I
Sunny Jackson (39:25):
I told you how often things don't work out
with, like, flower farms andwholesalers, you, you wouldn't
believe it.
Almost, like, I would saypercent of the time, something,
something is going to go wrongwith your order.
50 percent of the time.
Murphy's law, count on it.
Okay?
So that is why we always order a
Mike (39:47):
Silence.
Sunny Jackson (39:51):
But going back to the wholesalers Things go wrong
Right white roses.
They're not on here.
He'll be like, Oh, we're out ofthe playa Blanca is probably one
of my favorite white roses.
But, are our options forsubstitutions.
So, always be open to a sub.
Job done at the end of the day,and sometimes you can't put all
(40:14):
your eggs in one basket, sothat's
CJ (40:15):
Silence.
Silence.
Sunny Jackson (40:35):
our contracts as well we're very transparent
about the fact that a flowersare a perishable product We are
working with a very very tightwindow to do these things and
Flowers are a natural productfrom Mother Earth herself.
You can't control the hue of acolor.
You can't control the size of ahead of a flower.
(40:57):
You know, like, nature gives
Mike (41:00):
So, you know, so.
So, I'm going to, I'm going to,I'm going to show you some, some
of the stuff that you can do.
So, this is the, the DTSinterpretation of the,
Sunny Jackson (41:22):
they are.
Brides are surprised theirbouquets can end up being like
10 pounds.
You're holding that all day, youknow?
So, yeah.
CJ (41:32):
10 pounds.
Good Lord.
Sunny Jackson (41:33):
original question.
I'm going off on so manytangents right now,
Ken (41:35):
Oh,
CJ (41:36):
No, you're fine.
Mike (41:55):
so you, you probably have it a little bit more figured
out, but Yeah.
How is your, how is your worklife balance with your business?
Sunny Jackson (42:02):
Now it is amazing.
You have to kind of set thoseboundaries with yourself.
When I first started, 24 hours aday.
If I was awake and my eyes wereopen, I was on Instagram.
I was marketing myself.
I was, you know, reaching out topeople that I could partner
with.
I was on my computer team typingvery fast the time, every waking
(42:25):
moment of every day.
if you do that, it leads toburnout.
So, so fast, faster than peoplewant to admit.
Like, if you go like thatconsistently, you won't last a
year.
You
Mike (42:36):
Mm-hmm All very much for joining us today, and we'll see
you next time.
Bye bye.
Sunny Jackson (42:55):
But if you don't take your time to rest, your
body will pick it for you and itwill be very, very inconvenient
when it does.
So.
CJ (43:03):
Right.
Sunny Jackson (43:04):
Find, find your life's palette cleansers, is
what I like to call them.
Mike (43:09):
Nice,
CJ (43:09):
like that.
Mike (43:10):
you like the game, but when you say game, what do you
mean by game?
Sunny Jackson (43:14):
Oh,
Mike (43:15):
What game do you?
Sunny Jackson (43:16):
PlayStation Switch, we've got like, I'm
looking at like seven differentlike gaming consoles right now,
like PlayStation
Mike (43:22):
you play Call of Duty at all?
CJ (43:23):
Oh.
Sunny Jackson (43:24):
a Call of Duty girl, I'm not, but,
CJ (43:28):
was going to say, don't say yes.
Sunny Jackson (43:31):
I'm not, but I could, I could learn real fast.
And I could be, I could learnenough to be a problem.
So,
Mike (43:42):
bring it on problem.
Bring it on.
I'm
Sunny Jackson (43:44):
I'm like, give me like a week to get my skills up
and I'll hit you up.
Don't worry.
Mike (43:49):
ready.
I'm always ready.
Ken (43:51):
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
Mike (44:13):
I will make sure that you tell me what you're doing in the
chat and I'll be happy to helpyou.
Was it an audio issue?
Yep.
Can you hear me?
Yes.
No, I didn't hear anything.
Oh, okay.
Okay.
So if you like I can, I can seeyou.
Okay.
So So, I would like to introduceto your audience, one of the one
of the first digital art She'sbeen with us since I was nine
years old.
She's been around a decade.
Sunny Jackson (44:34):
me not have to as hard, you know,
Ken (44:39):
Okay.
Okay.
Yeah.
Mike (45:14):
ask you,
Ken (45:14):
Bye bye.
CJ (45:15):
what is the flower butter?
Sunny Jackson (45:17):
I'm like, I get so used to using the jargon.
Sorry.
says I have to get better aboutthat.
So a flower bar, I basicallybring, let's say like 10 to 12
different types of flowers andgreenery.
We arrange them all like bytype, so they're all in like
their own little buckets, cutelittle buckets.
And I kind of walk peoplethrough the process of Picking
(45:40):
flowers that go good together,getting them with building their
own bouquet, and they walk awaywith something to take home,
give to their loved ones, keepfor themselves.
CJ (45:51):
Nice.
Sunny Jackson (45:52):
able to reach a lot of people in a short amount
of time that way.
So I'm able to like, maximizeit, but still kind of do the
same thing where I reach a lotof people.
CJ (46:01):
That's smart.
Mike (46:03):
Nice
Ken (46:03):
that's great.
That is, that's ingenious.
Mike (46:07):
flower bar.
Sunny Jackson (46:08):
yeah, I'm like, how can we do the same thing,
but like, it takes two hoursinstead of 20?
CJ (46:14):
There you go.
Sunny Jackson (46:15):
Yeah.
Mike (46:15):
I feel what you're doing.
You haven't people built theirown bouquets and take them home.
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (46:21):
walk you through it.
I'll still show you how to makeit look really nice.
I've got wrapping paper, I'vegot ribbons, I've got note card
stations with like sharpies andstickers and like glitter pens,
like you can go all out, but Idon't have to do it.
Yeah.
Mike (46:38):
right?
There's so many businesses thatdo it.
If you think about it, like thecandle lab, you go make your own
candle.
Paint and sip, whatever you goand you paint your own picture.
So why not in floral, in thefloral world?
I
Sunny Jackson (47:01):
company.
Ken (47:01):
Okay.
We're gonna be back thisafternoon at 10.
We'll see
Sunny Jackson (47:21):
a smile to so many people, but get them
thinking about, Okay.
An art of some sort, breakingthem out
Ken (47:28):
you at 10.
Silence.
Silence.
CJ (47:40):
one question.
One last question from myselfthat I want to ask and this is
it can be a throwaway, but I'mjust curious if you could create
an arrangement for a famousperson, who would it be and why?
Sunny Jackson (47:56):
For one, only one?
CJ (47:58):
Well, I mean, more than one if it's necessary.
Mike (48:01):
Nope.
Nope.
This is going to be tough.
You get, you get one.
Sunny Jackson (48:05):
okay, alright, alright.
Kiki Palmer.
CJ (48:11):
Okay.
Why?
Sunny Jackson (48:12):
Palmer.
She's such a girl's girl.
She's such a, she's such a lightto people.
She,
CJ (48:22):
Yes, I
Sunny Jackson (48:23):
that energy and I feel like she deserves to be
celebrated way, way.
Way more than she is.
She is just, we love Kiki.
In this
CJ (48:35):
agree.
We may have to
Sunny Jackson (48:39):
I'm like, Kiki, if you listening, girl, and you
in Chicago, Hit me up.
I got you.
CJ (48:45):
find out a way to.
They have to find out a way to,to, post this and tagger it.
Ken (48:51):
Yeah, we'll just, that's it.
We'll just post it and tag herin there and let her know what
you just said.
Of
CJ (48:57):
Well, listen, then I'm putting it out in the universe
then.
When the time comes, honey, I'mgoing to have you create an
arrangement for queen Latifah,my girl,
Sunny Jackson (49:06):
please!
CJ (49:07):
saying,
Sunny Jackson (49:07):
The queen!
Mike (49:10):
Yeah, he look.
CJ (49:11):
be queen.
For some reason
Ken (49:14):
a funeral and now he said, when the time comes, you're cut
off.
Sunny Jackson (49:19):
That's
CJ (49:19):
for some reason,
Sunny Jackson (49:20):
be pretty,
Mike (49:20):
Yeah,
Sunny Jackson (49:23):
of life.
Ken (49:24):
Yeah, but II don't think Latifah, I don't think that's
what she's, that's not whatshe's expecting.
Sunny Jackson (49:28):
That's
CJ (49:29):
It
Sunny Jackson (49:29):
We're all about pivot.
We can do multiple styles.
CJ (49:33):
in his mind just pivoted to a place that it should not have
Mike (49:38):
so stupid.
Well, we are coming close totime.
So and we don't want to, youknow, keep you on too long.
So we're going to get to one ofmy favorite parts of the show
where I get to do this.
CJ (49:53):
I'm gonna find one this weekend.
Mike (49:54):
soundboard you call it.
We're going to do a lightninground.
Ken (49:58):
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (50:21):
Okay, I'm ready.
I'm ready.
Here we go.
CJ (50:25):
Use that stem mind.
Mike (50:26):
I feel like you got this.
I feel like you got this.
Ken (50:29):
100 percent she's got this.
Mike (50:31):
All right.
So what I'm going to do is I'llstart the timer after Ken asked
his first question and thenwe'll go from there.
Ken (50:38):
All right, Sonny, are you ready?
Sunny Jackson (50:40):
I'm like
Ken (50:40):
Yeah.
Sunny Jackson (50:41):
Let's do it.
Ken (50:42):
All right.
Let's go.
For vacation, beach ormountains?
Sunny Jackson (50:46):
Ooh, mountains.
Ken (50:47):
Okay.
food?
Sunny Jackson (50:50):
I love to eat, pasta.
Any kind of pasta with, like, acreamy sauce.
Ken (50:56):
Very good.
Guilty pleasure?
Sunny Jackson (50:59):
It changes, right now I'm really into
Mike (51:02):
Hello.
Hello.
Hello.
CJ (51:30):
expect that.
Ken (51:32):
And lastly, what is your favorite flower?
Sunny Jackson (51:37):
And time.
How could you How could
Mike (51:43):
You got, you got this.
Go ahead.
Sunny Jackson (51:44):
that?
Mike (51:46):
Answer it.
Answer it.
Sunny Jackson (51:49):
hmm.
A Zia,
CJ (51:54):
Okay.
So we're going to, we're allgoing to have to look that up
and
Mike (51:59):
now.
Azenia.
Sunny Jackson (52:01):
Zia.
Ken (52:02):
We know what is it.
CJ (52:04):
that was going to be my next question.
Ken (52:05):
they are, as a matter of fact, you would wear one in your
hair.
Cookie.
They're nice, big, bright,
Mike (52:11):
Oh, those are cute.
I like those.
CJ (52:13):
My last name is not Ripperton.
Q tip is not sampling my music.
Mike (52:20):
That's funny.
Sunny Jackson (52:21):
silly.
Mike (52:22):
huh.
Well, this, this has been great.
I've learned a lot about thefloral industry that, never
would have thought about,especially the behind the scene
things.
Ken (52:29):
Yeah.
Mike (52:30):
You gave some nuggets in there for people who are looking
to be business owners andentrepreneurs and little, some
things to think about in thebeginning.
Especially with self confidenceand stepping out there and being
their true self and, takingimperfect action.
So yeah, so I really appreciateyou.
And before we go, of course,you're gonna have to let all the
(52:51):
people know, can they find you?
Sunny Jackson (52:53):
Yes, please find me.
You can follow us on socialmedia at the sunniest designs.
Subscribe to us on our websiteat the sunniest designs dot com.
We'll be having some info onsome educational classes coming
out soon.
Keep an eye out for Mother'sDay.
And yeah, follow us like us.
Tell a friend.
CJ (53:12):
I have a quick question.
Do you ship out of state?
Do you ship outside of Chicago?
Ken (53:18):
the rejection of
Mike (53:20):
Nice.
CJ (53:21):
I hope my mom's
Mike (53:21):
you, I'm sorry, you just said something.
You said that,
Ken (53:24):
commission The
Mike (53:27):
like virtual, virtual classes or?
CJ (53:30):
in person.
Sunny Jackson (53:30):
of
Ken (53:31):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (53:37):
and daughter, or like mom and kid type of,
arrangement making class.
So I'll
Mike (53:42):
Oh, so it's, it's, it's at the shop
Sunny Jackson (53:46):
Mm hmm.
Mike (53:47):
or is it virtual?
Sunny Jackson (53:48):
it'll
Mike (53:48):
So it's at the shop.
Sunny Jackson (53:49):
Yeah, it'll be at a venue.
Mm hmm.
Mike (53:51):
Okay.
Got it.
Cause I was going to say if it'svirtual, we're going to provide
the link and let everybody knowhow they could join.
CJ (53:56):
right.
Mike (53:57):
But here in Chicago,
CJ (53:59):
Well, send us the information.
Once you have it all set, you
Sunny Jackson (54:03):
Yeah, I'll send it to you guys,
CJ (54:05):
can put it on our page.
Sunny Jackson (54:06):
up.
Chicago is the best city.
Ken (54:08):
Okay.
CJ (54:15):
So I have no dog in this fight.
Ken (54:17):
listen, I'm going to leave it alone because I don't
disagree.
It is, but it's only the bestcity from May to August.
Oh,
Mike (54:27):
right.
Okay.
Sunny Jackson (54:30):
about that.
We got, we got the holidaytrain.
got the rooftop igloos, youknow.
We've got the ice skating rinkdown at Millennium Park.
Okay, don't play with us.
Ken (54:41):
we got all of that here too.
nothing.
Sunny Jackson (54:44):
with us.
CJ (54:45):
Look, I'm just going to
Mike (54:46):
You
CJ (54:46):
step aside.
Absolutely.
Mike (54:54):
We could do it in an igloo.
got flowers that can hang outoutside in the cold.
Sunny Jackson (54:58):
We've done flowers on a boat.
We've done it on the citycruises.
So, we
Mike (55:03):
Nice.
Sunny Jackson (55:04):
anywhere.
Mike (55:05):
Sunny, we're having everybody who does an interview
with us, at the end of the show,they have to do a Wakanda peace
pause.
And what it is, why are y'alllaughing?
CJ (55:14):
inquisitive.
Like what the hell are youtalking about?
Ken (55:17):
As well.
You should as well.
You should be.
Mike (55:20):
So, yeah, so I was just randomly thinking one day, I was
like, we need to do somethinglike that's like weird and
different, you know, we did thelightning round, but a lot of
people do the lightning round.
So I just randomly came up withthe Wakanda peace pause.
And what it is is at the end ofthe show, everyone, I'm going to
count to three and everybody'sgoing to do this.
And you're just going to smileat the camera and just pause.
(55:41):
And then we're just going to usethat later.
I'm just going to take a pictureof it later and use it on social
media.
It's just one
Sunny Jackson (55:48):
I'm ready.
Mike (55:49):
Okay, you ready?
We're going to count to threeand we're going to do the
Wakanda peace pause.
One, two, and three.
Ken (55:58):
Silence.
Mike (56:07):
Well, again, I really appreciate you.
You've been great, Sunny.
CJ (56:10):
Thank you so much.
Sunny Jackson (56:12):
So much for having me.
Thank you so much.
This was awesome.
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