Florist News

Hi everyone

Just thought I'd say Hi and introduce myself, I can see myself being on this site quite a bit!

I have just opened a shop (arrggghhh).
I've only been a florist for a few years but have always loved flowers and flower design. I took a different career path early on but soon realised that on office job just was not for me! So, I gave that up and went to college. I have since worked in a few different shops and also done quite a bit of work from home.
It has always been my ambition to have my own shop (and be a young business owner) so when an opportunity came up, I went for it. I had been saying for ages 'one day, one day' and I suddenly decided that I didnt get old and think 'what if'!!!!

Its only now that the shop is open that I've started to get scared!!!

I am just going in to my 3rd week. I am on a very busy street that has lots of passing traffic on foot (there are parking restrictions so not always easy to stop), its a huge residential area, across the road from a train station and about 2 minutes from the town centre. So, a pretty good location. In the 2 and a bit weeks I have had some great days and some bad days, like today, I have had one customer all day!!!! : (

Does anyone have any advice, about anything, that they think I might find useful????? I would be very grateful for any help and advice.

Sorry, that was all 'me, 'me', 'me'!!
Thanks very much

Just want to say welcome you will get plenty of help here enjoy

Hi MD, congratulations in getting your shop - where are you based?

I'm sure you'll get loads of advice on here - beware though it's very addictive!

Hi MD, my shops new too. It can be petrifying and I think we all have rubbish days. You will probably spend the next two years with your stomach in a knot!! Am sure some of the veterans on here will say you still get that 10 years in! Good Luck anyway.

hi and welcome...

ditto what alby said.

Yes DITTO Alby and ann's daughter my friend is over 30 years in her shop and still has stomach in knots periods so don't worry everyone is in the same boat

hello and welcome md

i find you do get days like that but i suggest maybe put a really full display outside lots of plants available at the mo use some tables or wine crates or sim and display your usall handtied aquas and always put a really modern display maybe using extoics outside that'll make them stop and go wow we do it all the time even use your window get a 'flower of the week' if your up for it something like rainbow roses (don't start slagging them you lot) or heliconias birds of paradise you know something straight bang in the middle make sure you price everything sometimes its a good idea if you have a really good price range but price them clearly i find sometimes people won't enter they think its too expensive but if they see a good range then they feel a little bit more confortable GOOD LUCK enjoy it all (also start getting prepared for xmas if its only lists)

love potty xx

hello MD ..it'll be the best thing you ever did, starting your shop! and tonnes of fun as well as hard work but it flys by

totally agree with potty about the pricing I am naughty and sometimes forget to prices things up and people won't buy them if there's no price showing.

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Sarah Creating Bespoke Wedding Flowers Cheshire

Hello and welcome MD. Take a look in the thread that Alby posted 'help please' it may be of interest to you ? Wishing you really good luck in your new venture, you are several steps ahead of me as I'm hopefully going to get into negotiations for my shop. Did you buy as going concern?

HEY THERE mD!!Congrats on opening your shop?Did u buy it as a going concern or start from scratch?We all get good and bad patches thats for sure,i'm currently having a rotten bad patch but am positive it will get better.One piece of advice i can give is to try and get in with a local hotel so u can get regular work coming in.That has been my saving grace in quiet times as i do all their hotel flowers and all their cusotmer flowers as well and also am recommended to brides for weddings.
Ali @ Butterflies Florist