Hi everyone,

I'm a newbee to this forum, and I have been finding your posts very interesting!

At the moment I am an office worker who has a keen interest in flowers. I have never done any professional training, and never worked in a florist before.

I've been doing a lot of reading to get an idea of the day-to-day life of a florist, and I think it looks challenging and interesting, although I am adult enough to know that no job is perfect.

I've signed up for a night-school course at my local college which starts in February and I'm hopeful I can learn enough over the next few years to become a qualified florist.

I am in a reasonably well paid job at the moment, however I have a savings policy due to mature in a couple of years time, and I am wondering if my long-term ambition should be to set up business. I know, I can hear you all shouting 'this girl wants to run before she can walk!', but there is nothing wrong with ambition!

I hope that you don't read this post and think I have no appreciation for the hard work and training you have all put in to become professional florists.

Believe me, I would be going down this path for the love of flowers, not for money, however I do have a mortgage to pay, and I am wondering if you all think I am mad to consider giving up my secure employment to eventually set up business in your industry. I would have the backing of my fella's parents who know quite a bit about business as they once ran two very successful beauty salons.

Have any of you taken a huge leap like this? I'd really appreciate any advice that you could give.

Thanks!
Newbee