Florist News

Hello all

I'm looking to start up my own floristry business from home (not right now as still a student, but hopefully in May/June 08 - so planning ahead!).

My question is how do I get started really!

For those of you who work from home, how do you find your customers (mainly from advertising or friends/family leading to word of mouth?), do you have any advice for someone wishing to start-up from home?

Thanks for your help


Kathleen

Hi Kathleen, I set myself up as a part time business in May of this year; things I did included:

Registering with local tax office as part time self employed
Got an accountant for filing tax return - I can do the basic bookkeeping myself - spreadsheet, p & l, stock (sundries)
Public liability insurance (for when working at venues for weddings etc)

In terms of advertising:

Produced logo
Registered domain name
Put together a website
Got free listing on Yell.com/yellow pages
Also put ad. together for yell.com and google (these will run when I want them to - have been too busy with my day job to take on too much floristry work so don't run them at the moment)
Designed flyer
Printed business cards

The work I have had (3 weddings, displays for hairdresser and a couple of hand-ties) have all come via friends/acquantencies. Have also had a couple of orders and various enquiries through my website.

Hope this helps.

__________________
www.treesfloraldesign.co.uk

how long have you been doing this kathleen?

Hi Kathleen, I work from home and did all the things as mentioned by Tree.

I only started in October, with a website, business cards, all the tax sorted out. I visited all my local funeral directors, showed them my portfolio and left some cards, nothing as yet from them, but understand if they are jubious about giving my details until they have seen my work (or maybe they have arrangements with local florists???), from my website I have had one funeral order (1 coffin spray,MUM,NAN and a heart), when I delivered this to the funeral director had a nice chat with the man himself, was very impressed and
said how impressed the family had been with me, so maybe its a step in the right direction. I went to all the local car dealerships,estate agents, restaraunts,offices and left cards and have had a few orders from them.
Have a contract to provide 'Welcome to you New Home' bouquets with a new house builder starting in December.

I leave a hand-tied bouquet at a local tearoom once a week, with my cards and copy of my website, just really to get my name out there. Have sold a few this way.

I also have a stall at a monthly craft fair, I make up small bouquets and at the moment Xmas stuff and basically give out as many cards as I can and chat to people about what I offer (ooohh).

I did one leaflet drop, you will all laugh at this::::

My darling hubby said wouldnt it be a good idea to put on it, 'Sorry I missed you' as in, I knocked,no answer. I delivered about 200 and for the next 48 hours was on the phone constantly, everyone presumed I had tried to deliver flowers and they all rang asking to re-arrange delivery lol Best PR ive done, at least all the folks who rang wont forget me!!! and the calls didnt cost me anything haha.

You have probably fallen asleep by now, but just to say it is slowly building up,every bouquet that goes out has my card with it.

Hope this has given you some ideas, just hope you are not in my area

Moneypenny - sounds like you're doing well. Have you gone into floristry full-time? Or still working in another job? Did you work in a shop before or is this straight from studying?

I love your story about the leaflet drop. I'm not pushing myself fully yet, but have lots of plans similar to yours for when I do. Where are you based??

Ironically, Kathleen is about 12 miles from me

__________________
www.treesfloraldesign.co.uk

Hi Tree, Im not too far from you Uckfield, East Sussex. I am deaf, but have recently been fitted with a cochlear implant, which although is brilliant, still has its limitations. But it gave me the confidence to try something new, so I studied hard, gained my qualifications and here I am.

During my course I did work experience in a florists, but they were fully staffed and couldnt really offer me anything, also I still had problems understanding the customers in the shop and over the telephone (essential!!!), plus I have animals to look after (20,22 & 52 yr old men ),a dog and cats, so this was the best way for me.

Im learning all the time, dont commit myself to something I cant handle,I know my limitations. Im better with the phone now (mine is specially for hearing aids/implants). Im in the fortunate position that this is a hobby/part time business, something to keep my out of mischief as hubby says!!!

At least if I fail, Ive tried!!!
Rgds

I'm sure you won't fail - you seem to have a good approach. I'm the same in that I won't take on anything that I wasn't confident in delivering

__________________
www.treesfloraldesign.co.uk

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

Thanks all for your wonderful replies

Tree: Thanks your post helped very much!

Pottyboutflowers - I only started my course in September, so am nowhere neear ready yet to start my business, but am hoping to after I finish next year.

Moneypenny: Your leaflet was a great idea, and sounds like you are doing very well!

Lorraine: Wow you are doing really well! I haven't really put myself "out there" as I definitely am not ready (or not confident - yet!), I'm just getting ideas and starting to make a business plan (very slowly!) incase I am ready after I finish my course - I like to be prepared!

Although saying that though, a few people at work have asked me to make them a christmas wreath, garland, table decoration

Thanks again!

Kathleen

Hi ktm1980 I have my own home business and my advice is to keep every reciept. You never know what the tax man will want to see. Did you know that you can get tax relief by using a bedroom as an office? The tax office has a pack and are very helpful if you get in touch with them. Good luck in your new venture.