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 a ... 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 th ... more