Discover how Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist, is transforming the floral industry with people-first leadership, innovative technology, and a commitment to exceptional customer experiences. On The Pizza King Podcast, Michael shares insights on scaling a business, franchising with heart, and turning challenges into opportunities. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!
When I first got the invite to have Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist, on The Pizza King Podcast, I’ll admit—I wasn’t sure how flowers would resonate with a room full of pizza operators. But the more I learned about Michael’s journey and his business, the clearer it became: whether you’re selling pizzas or bouquets, the principles of running a successful business are universal.
In our conversation, Michael shared some incredible insights into the floral industry, including how they’re using technology and people-focused strategies to scale their business. I walked away inspired and with a fresh perspective on what it takes to grow in any industry.
The Heart of Any Business: Its People
One thing Michael and I completely agreed on is the importance of strong leadership and happy teams. “It’s the people that run the systems, not the systems,” Michael told me. That really hit home because it’s something I preach to my own leaders all the time.
I always say, “Take care of your team, and they’ll take care of your guests.” Michael echoed this sentiment with his approach to empowering his florists. “If your staff hates being there, who wants to spend money in a place like that?” he said. That’s a lesson we can all take back to our businesses, no matter what we’re selling.
Reinventing with Technology
Another thing that stood out in our conversation was how French Florist is reimagining the role of technology in their business. Michael talked about developing proprietary apps that make operations smoother for everyone—from designers to delivery drivers.
He shared an example that I think we in the pizza business could learn from: “Our designer app shows everything they need—recipes, customer notes, even the card message—right on an iPad. No paper flying around, no guesswork, just focus on creating something beautiful.”
Hearing that made me think about how many of us in the pizza world are stuck with tools that don’t quite fit. “We’re overserved with technology, but no one knows how to use it,” I told Michael during our chat. His response? Build something that works for you.
Mistakes as Opportunities
We also talked about the inevitability of mistakes in business and how they can become opportunities to strengthen customer relationships. Michael shared how his team goes above and beyond when things go wrong.
“If we deliver late, we own it. We’ll refund the delivery fee, sometimes the whole order, and then surprise the customer with additional flowers,” he explained. “It’s not about avoiding mistakes—it’s about showing customers that you’ll take care of them no matter what.”
As someone who’s seen how quickly a bad customer experience can spread, I couldn’t agree more. When a mistake happens, you have to fix it and then some—because the only real win is when the customer comes back.
Franchising with Heart
French Florist is also growing through franchising, but Michael approaches it in a way that felt very intentional. “It’s like dating,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re a great culture fit because once you sign that agreement, it’s a marriage.”
That resonated with me because franchising isn’t just about numbers—it’s about finding partners who believe in your vision and values. Michael’s focus on maintaining quality and culture through slow, deliberate growth is something I respect and admire.
Wrapping It Up
Talking with Michael reminded me that no matter what industry you’re in, it all comes down to leadership, systems, and the customer experience. Whether you’re crafting pizzas or bouquets, the fundamentals are the same.
So, the next time you’re looking for inspiration for your business, don’t hesitate to look outside your industry. You might be surprised by what you learn.
If you missed the episode, I highly recommend checking it out. And if you’re in LA, make sure to stop by French Florist—tell Michael I sent you!
Connect with Michael:
- Website: FrenchFloristFranchise.com
- Email: michael@frenchflorist.com