Hello to you all
I also work from home. Got pipped to the post when the local florist had her shop up for sale. Would love to have my own shop.
I haven't worked in a flower shop for a long time, but have always kept my hand in doing the odd wedding / funeral here and there. My neice got married July 06 which spured me on to start my own business. I work in a local hotel so i am able to pass on my business cards to brides holding thier weddings at the hotel, part of my job is to do all the in house flowers. A previous wedding co-ordinator moved to another hotel, so she also gives out my cards. I have contacts with a Restaurant which i have had a few orders from.
Since Feb 07 i have had 14 weddings, some only small ones, still 2 more to do before end of the year, some funeral work and gift bouquets to do plus the odd order here and there for functions at both hotels.

I would say word and mouth is the best way to get the orders coming in.
One wedding i did was featured in a local bridal magazine. The magazine talked me into placing an advert with them, paid over £100 for a advert a bit disapointed with the lack of response, not one phone call.
I have booked myself in for 2 wedding fair's for next year, never done one before so i don't know if they are worth doing. It is quite a lot of money to pay out for each stall and then you have to buy the flowers so i hope i get some thing back from it.
I do miss working in a flower shop. Had a interview last year got the job,
turned it down what they wanted to pay me was a laugh.

Kathleen have you tried getting in touch with The Event's Co-ordinators at any of you local hotels ?
Good luck with your business
Lorraine
Flowers by Lorraine