Floristry is an art form that combines creativity, passion, and a love for nature.

As a florist, you have the opportunity to create stunning arrangements that bring joy to people’s lives on various occasions. If you’re enchanted by the idea of working with beautiful flowers and want to turn your passion into a profession, this blog post will guide you through 23 essential steps to start your floristry journey in 2023.

• Step 1: Discover Your Passion: Start by exploring your love for flowers and the joy they bring you. Understand the different types of flowers, their meanings, and the emotions they evoke.
• Step 2: Research the Industry: Dive into the world of floristry and learn about current trends, popular flowers, and the demands of the market. Stay updated with the latest floral designs and techniques.
• Step 3: Gain Basic Knowledge: Enroll in a floral design course or workshop to learn the fundamentals of flower arranging, including color theory, design principles, and techniques for creating various arrangements.
• Step 4: Practice, Practice, Practice: Set up a small workspace at home and practice creating different arrangements. Experiment with different color combinations, flower types, and styles to develop your unique aesthetic.
• Step 5: Build a Portfolio: Document your best work by taking high-quality photographs of your arrangements. Create a portfolio to showcase your skills and creativity to potential clients and employers.
• Step 6: Volunteer or Intern Gain hands-on experience by volunteering at local flower shops, garden centers, or event planning companies. Alternatively, consider interning under an experienced florist to learn the tricks of the trade.
• Step 7: Learn Business Skills Floristry requires more than just artistic talent. Familiarize yourself with basic business skills, such as budgeting, pricing, marketing, and customer service.
• Step 8: Niche down Once you’ve started practicing and building a portfolio, figure out what your unique niche is (a combination of what you’re good at, what you love and what you can make income with) and focus all your energy on his. This will enhance your credibility and help you stand out in the competitive industry.
• Step 9: Create a Business Plan If you aspire to start your own flower shop, develop a comprehensive business plan. Outline your target market, services, pricing, marketing strategies, and financial projections.
• Step 10: Organise your finances Remember that from day 1 – you aren’t necessarily going to be blown away with new orders and clients. Make sure you have some finances in place to begin, and a good plan to get new clients, before you start spending too much.
• Step 11: Choose a Location Are you thinking of a home studio, online store or a retail location? Either way you need to think about where you are going to be and where your customers will be located.
• Step 12: Set Up Shop Design an inviting and aesthetically pleasing retail shop or online shop. Make sure you’ve got all the necessary equipment you need – not just for making the flower arrangements, but also think about the technology you need eg payments etc.
• Step 13: Establish Supplier Relationships Source flowers and supplies from reliable wholesalers or local growers. Build relationships with suppliers who can provide fresh and high-quality products.
• Step 14: Offer Diverse Services Expand your services beyond traditional flower arrangements. Consider offering services such as wedding florals, event decoration, corporate contracts, and flower subscriptions to diversify your revenue streams.
• Step 15: Develop a Signature Style Cultivate your unique style and artistic expression to differentiate yourself from competitors. Experiment with innovative designs, incorporating your personal touch into each arrangements.
• Step 16: Network and Collaborate Connect with other professionals in the event planning, wedding, and hospitality industries. Collaborate on projects, attend industry events, and join local business associations to expand your network.
• Step 17: Provide Excellent Customer Service Create a memorable experience for your customers by offering exceptional service. Listen to their needs, provide expert advice, and go the extra mile to exceed their expectations.
• Step 18: Embrace Sustainability Incorporate sustainable practices into your business, such as using eco-friendly packaging, supporting local growers, and minimizing waste. Educate your customers about the importance of sustainability in the floral industry.
• Step 19: Stay Inspired Continuously seek inspiration from nature, art, fashion, and design. Attend workshops, conferences, and trade shows to stay abreast of the latest floral trends and techniques.
• Step 20: Market Your Business Implement effective marketing strategies to promote your flower shop. Utilize social media platforms, create engaging content, collaborate with influencers, and offer promotions to attract new customers. If you’re not great at marketing, outsource to a company who knows how to do it well.
• Step 21: Keep Learning and Evolving Stay curious and never stop learning. Explore advanced floral design techniques, new flower varieties, and emerging industry trends. Regularly update your skills to remain competitive.
• Step 22: Seek Feedback Encourage feedback from your customers and peers to improve your skills and services. It takes courage – but will be worth it to learn from constructive criticism and use it to refine your craft.
• Step 23: Stay Passionate Remember why you started this journey and maintain your passion for flowers. Embrace the challenges, celebrate your successes, and let your love for floristry shine through in every arrangement you create.

Becoming a florist in 2023 requires a blend of artistic talent, business acumen, and a commitment to continuous learning. By following these 23 steps, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on your journey as a successful florist. Embrace the beauty of flowers, unleash your creativity, and create breathtaking arrangements that bring happiness to people’s lives.

Learn more about your floristry journey in our full ebook “How to Become a Florist in 2023” available for free here.