Florist News

Like you Pageblonde I'm just coming to the end of my level 2 and love doing the more modern work, there are no rules like traditional work, but the one thing I have leant from working in a shop is that it is not as easy to sell as traditional, most people are a bit old fashioned when it comes to flowers and like to see value for money, more modern arrangements tend to have more expensive nicer flowers, but less of them, so people don't want to pay. By the way I mop, clean trillions of buckets, and make gazzillions of cups of tea, but by God I LOVE IT. Good luck with whatever you do.

Its good 2 hear that, and remember one day u will be on the recieving end of it.........well sometimes you will be....

I certainly hope so KP

Errr...whatever made you think that florist owners, online or otherwise, actually make more than basic wage??? I think if you do a survey on here you will find that those of us who have had our shops less than five years are either on minimum wage or no wages. Just thought you might like to know that. as for mopping floors, conditioning etc - no better way to learn the whys and wherefores of the reasons behind a certain activity. Not being funny but bridal work is not usually handed out to anyone in the shop that has less than several years experience as it is so important and the flowers are so delicate. By all means keep the dreams - we all need them - but do your research.

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If we had been meant to eat all our greens all our teeth would have been in the front

oh you will frizzy and it will make u more sympathetic towards the junior having been there yourself, its all part of the learning curve

Hi Playmate

dare i say it, i changed jobs from secretarial to floristry at 28, spent a lot of money on childminding etc whilst training, did some experience for nothing at a couple of shops, gave up my normal wage and lived on just husbands wage with two babies. Cut my cloth as they say but then after a year or so of doing the odd wedding at home, doing arrangements for nothing for the gang at the university, buying whoopsie flowers at the supermarkets and practicing like mad, i took the plunge and opened a shop. (ps, i was obsessed with research also and visited lots of shops and was on the internet every night researching)I made mistakes just like anyone can who had worked in a shop for years but i also wanted to do more modern stuff. However, this was alongside the more traditional stuff. It is nice to have more varied work. Sometimes i am really grateful to do a nice traditional basket. I find that the traditional stuff sells the best but i think 20% of my customers now buy my modern stuff. You do need to know your market and do not cut yourself off from the traditional buyers, their money pays the bills also. I never think i know it all and even though i am in my four years now and i have always been in profit, i will always take advice from someone who has been in the trade for years. Just wanted to say keep your dreams and aspirations alive!! The best advice i can offer is while the creativity is a big side of the business you are foremost a business women when owing a shop and must think of profit constantly. Hope this helps