Hi Newbee,
I too worked in an office, yep know all about sore backsides! You do need to go to college to get the basics, look carefully at what the courses offer and if possible talk to other students. Alot of what you learn at college is not always practical in the commercial world and alot of it will seem old fashioned (though, hopefully, they are looking at updating the syllabus). The best way to learn is on the job training, getting placements in floristry is not easy, look back at some of the older threads about working from home etc and you will see why. I have been a florist for 10 years and had my own shop for just over 1 year, it was one of the biggest decisions I have made (apart from should I have another wine!) It can be really tough, there have been times I can hardly speak I'm so tired and I haven't seen my kids for 3 days but then the rewards are great, like when we did a special arrangement at Christmas for a guy to put an engagement ring in for his girlfriend - she said yes Or when families of particularly sad funerals take time out of grieving to come and tell us the flowers were beautiful - these times make it worthwhile.

Breezy