How to become a Florist
Have you ever dreamed of making your living surrounded by beautiful flowers? If you are creative, have a green thumb and love making people’s day, then running a florist could be the perfect business for you. To get started, there are several steps you will need to take. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what it takes to become a florist.
Step 1: Learn your trade
The first step towards becoming a florist is obtaining the necessary training and skills. Depending on where you live, this could involve completing an apprenticeship or taking classes at your local college or university with courses related to horticulture or floral design. You should also investigate any relevant industry qualifications that are available. For example, in Queensland, the Floristry Industry Training Advisory Council offers Certificates I, II and III in Floristry that can be completed online or through registered training providers.
Step 2: Work at a florist to get experience
Once you have completed your studies and obtained any necessary qualifications, you can start looking for job opportunities. Many florists find employment at flower shops or nurseries, but there are also other ways to make money as a florist such as working as a freelance designer for events like weddings or corporate functions. You may even be able to work from home if you have the space for it! Before opening your own florist, you’ll want to build up some experience and understand the finer points of pricing, suppliers and how to serve clients.
Step 3: Continuous development
A successful florist needs to stay on top of the latest trends and new developments in the industry. This means following blogs and websites dedicated to floral design and attending workshops on topics such as flower arranging and interior decoration with plants. It’s important that you keep learning new techniques so that your designs remain fresh and interesting for customers who come back time and time again. Additionally, it’s important for florists to stay current with product knowledge so they can be sure they’re providing their clients with high quality flowers that suit their needs best and seasonal trends.
Step 4: Work on your customer service skills
Whilst it’s a given that as a florist you’ll need to have a creative flair and an eye for detail, there are other core customer skills you’ll need to develop. Firstly, it is important to be able to work well under pressure and to meet deadlines. As a florist you may be dealing with clients who are purchasing flowers for a funeral, or after a significant life event, so maintaining a calm and positive attitude is essential. Finally, it is beneficial to be physically fit as you will be required to lift heavy boxes of flowers and stand for long periods of time.
Step 5: Start your florist business
Once you have the necessary skills and experience, then you can branch out and start your own business. You may decide to specialise in a particular niche (roses, or weddings), or you may decide to do a bit of everything. Depending on your career aspirations, you may open a physical store, or run something from home. After you register your ABN, you can have some fun with your brand and website. It’s important to use a lot of photography to convey the type of work that your clients can expect. Consider having an online enquiry form, or using a tool like Shopify or Webflow to allow your customers to directly order online.
Step 6: Manage your financial affairs
One thing that can often get overlooked when you are a florist is banking, accounting and tax. Once you start earning money, you’ll want to ensure you are keeping your receipts, paying the right taxes and claiming the right deductions. Thriday is perfect for this, as it allows you to automate all your bookkeeping and accounting in real-time so you can focus on your business. With Thriday you’ll never need to think about financial admin and tax again. Take this quick tax quiz to see how much money you could save by using Thriday. Sign up for your free trial today.
Becoming a professional florist requires dedication, hard work, and passion for flowers. Although it may seem simple at first, there is a lot involved in starting your own florist business. When thinking about this career path, it’s best to understand what’s required and get the appropriate training under your belt. Once you build up your experience and can keep up with the latest trends in flower arranging, then you should start to think about starting your business. With the right patience and persistence anyone can become certified as a professional florist in Australia.
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