How Can I Become a Florist?

It does not take any special license to become a florist, but it does take both an ability and a desire. People call upon the services of a florist when they want to wish someone well, express a specific sentiment, or make someone feel special. The ability to produce a floral arrangement that accomplishes the customer's goal is the essence of a successful florist. If you have a sincere interest in cut flowers and an eye for color coordination and design, you are the perfect candidate for becoming a florist. However, it takes more than an ability to arrange a stellar bouquet of roses. Knowledge of the care of cut flowers, the sentiments they express, and the varieties available is essential to the florist business. Having a head for business is also a necessity. You might choose to become an independent florist in your area, or you might choose to become part of a nationwide franchise. You might also decide to work for someone else. Regardless of the route you choose, your personality ...  more

You want a business degree. You want to study accounting, finance, management, human resources, e-business, logistics, business law, insurance, stuff like that. In the meantime find a good florist that will give you some hours. Start at the bottom and try to do every job they have. If you want to own a flower shop you WILL be doing the bottom jobs ALL THE TIME. Owning a flower shop is about arranging flowers, but it's more about payroll, working with suppliers, planning, cutting up boxes, scooping up huge piles of vegetative waste five times a day and paying your huge energy bill in the middle of august when nobody has come in all week. Owning a flower shop is real business and it is not easy to be successful. You have huge competitors (Wal-Mart for example) and an extremely perishable product. Most small/family owned florists win by providing excellent customer service and an outstanding product that exceeds the customers expectations. If you can't pull off both of those things all ...  more