So you want to become a Florist? The Pro and Cons of Flower Shops and Florists
I'm pretty sure most people have dreams of opening their own business, especially a flower shop. After all, who doesn't want to spend their days surrounded by living beauty?
Unfortunately, this dream may not be attainable for everyone. Luckily there are many other opportunities in the floral industry that can also lead to success and happiness. If you're unsure which path is right for you, read on for the pros and cons of starting out as a florist or working in a flower shop:
Pros:
- You control your work hours! Set your own schedule with flexible hours that fit your life style. - The financial investment is minimal (flowers are very affordable). - You get to work with people, meet a lot of new people and make lasting friendships. - You get to create pretty things that most people are excited to enjoy.
- It's a rewarding career choice. Seeing people light up when they see your work can be so satisfying.
- You'll learn a lot about flowers and floral design.
- It's seasonal, so if you do get tired of it, you can take some time off for the winter months.
- Every store is different, which means there are unique opportunities for creativity at every shop! Cons: - You work with perishable items (flowers). Some people have allergies. If you don't know what to avoid, make sure to check with your friends or an allergy specialist. - You can get easily overwhelmed and frustrated when things go wrong (or wrong for you). Try not to let it bum you out - you get used to it after a while. - You work with people all day long, so there are some people who can be grumpy! Some are a lot more pleasant than others. - It's stressful dealing with customers sometimes! Don't take it personally if someone is really rude or nasty, they're usually just having a bad day.
- It's always busy at your shop, so if you like downtime, this job isn't for you.
- It's a lot of work, and can be stressful.
- You have to learn a lot about flowers and floral design.
- You run the risk of getting sick yourself (flowers are quite delicate).
Are you ready to take the plunge? Well then! Here's what it takes:
Where to start: Getting your Flowers Ready for Sale
First things first - you need flowers! This may seem like a restriction, but there are many DIY options you can use to save money on your supplies. For example, you could make your own flower arrangements using silk flowers/bouquets that can be found in any craft store. You could also use artificial flowers, which tend to be more affordable yet still retain the same look and feel of real flowers. You should also make sure to take extra precautions when handling your flowers. Hands you don't know should not touch them. If you know you have a cold, avoid touching or standing in front of windows for a few days (as tempting as it may be). It's also best to wear gloves when taking them home, because they can benefit from being stored in a sealed container in order for the scent to last longer (you can find those containers at any major grocery store - they're usually near the plantains and other such goodies).
Your Shop and You
As a florist, you are technically running your own business. Because of this, many things (such as taxes or fees) may fall on you. You also have to make sure that your shop is properly run and can deal with legal issues if they come up. You will also need to treat your customers in a way that leads to return business. As far as the inside of your shop, it's really up to you how it looks! There are no laws saying that it has to be professionally designed or made to look like anything in particular. If you like, you can use an existing home decor style as a base or one of your own design.
The Storefront for Business
It's not at all uncommon for flower shops to be right in front of a store or restaurant. This means that your shop is likely to have limited parking and might be difficult to get out of or into for customers who call ahead. This is a good thing, though - after all, the more people who see your shop, the better the chance that more people will want to buy flowers in your store! One other thing to remember: don't forget about fences! Many stores want their cars and trucks pulled into their parking lot because they have low visibility from the street. This means that your fences may need some serious work so that you can see in and out and vice versa. If your store isn't in the way, you don't need to worry about this.
How Much Can You Earn?
People have many ideas of how much they want to earn per year. Whatever you want to make, here's what you should know: it mostly depends on yourself and how hard you're willing to work! Keep in mind that floral shops often have a seasonal boom, which means that as a florist, your income may also fluctuate depending on the time of year. This can be frustrating if you have a family that needs things like food. If you feel this is a problem for you, try to plan your shop so that it doesn't have to be too far from home.
The Road to Success in Floral Design
There are many ways to promote yourself as a florist. Some people choose to affiliate themselves with florists in other areas, such as the floral industry. This can provide you with opportunities for promotion (which is always good!) and also allows you to network with other florists in your area. You can also attend trade organization fairs and conferences, which evaluate your abilities and give out awards for being successful and talented.
Incorporating a Florist to Your Business
The easiest way to incorporate a florist into your business is by buying flowers from another florist. Many places, such as grocery stores and restaurants, will buy flowers for their customers. If you want to shop in a different area, try going online or asking friends if they know of a place that buys flowers. It may take some time before you find an honest person who will sell you good quality, fresh flowers at a good price.
If you want to start your own florist shop, now you know! Not only do you need to deal with flowers, but also the inside of your shop. So when are you going to start?
- Find a flower shop and buy there. This is the cheapest route but can be unreliable in quality and selection - it depends on the store. - Buy from a wholesaler or grower, and get them to drop them off at your store on certain dates or days - this is a good option if your store is not in an area that has a close flower market (you will have to take into account national holidays for delivery).
Conclusion:
There is no better way to make yourself feel good than to make a living by doing what you love. You are bold and daring, ready to follow your dreams and get yourself established in a field that will give you endless opportunities. You are a florist, someone who has the gift of creating beauty from the natural resources around us - whether real or artificial, flowers always have the ability to lift up someone's spirit and bring about comfort.