| Choosing a career as a florist is quite commendable. A | | | | business operations, with few employees. |
| florist job is the type of job where you have the | | | | There are a some large and well established florists as |
| unique ability to positively impact every person who | | | | well. The smaller shops provide the opportunity to learn |
| receives your floral arrangements. People are very | | | | the entire business operation. The larger shops operate |
| grateful when receiving flowers, so if it's you doing the | | | | more like a corporation where everyone has a specific |
| creating then you know that you've brightened | | | | position and task to perform with room for |
| someone's day. In addition you get to work in an | | | | advancement over time. |
| environment that is fast paced, filled with colorful | | | | Here is the #1 TIP for achieving success as a florist -- |
| blossoms, fresh floral fragrances and typically a | | | | Starting a florist career is best done as an apprentice |
| pleasant work place. | | | | or working in an existing flower shop. This way you |
| It doesn't require a college degree to become a florist. | | | | can learn directly from a professional florist and have |
| In fact, some people actually became florists by | | | | the opportunity to learn the inside operations while |
| making the decision to open a flower shop and start | | | | working on the job. Learning first hand is always the |
| selling floral arrangements. However, most have either | | | | best route considering that the field of floristry is a |
| worked in a flower shop first before becoming a florist | | | | hands-on or tactile job. It is also recommended that |
| or went to floral school to learn how to be a florist. If | | | | floral school or floral training classes be attended as |
| you have no previous experience, then it is | | | | well to supplement or formalize the on the job training |
| recommended that you either find a florist to work for | | | | received as an apprentice. |
| or you enroll in a floral school to learn all the basics first. | | | | Many times people will choose to attend a floral school |
| To become a great florist you should be a creative | | | | prior to looking for a job. This route is acceptable as |
| and artistic type of individual along with having a love | | | | well, although the sooner you can get a job at a florist |
| of flowers. You will need to understand and apply the | | | | the better off you will be. You will be trained/re-trained |
| principles of color design, shape, and theory. You will | | | | by an experienced florist after completing school, so |
| need to learn and know the properties of different | | | | the advice is to find a job as soon as you can. You will |
| flowers, plants, and foliages so as to utilize them | | | | learn shop procedures, care of flowers and plants, |
| appropriately in arrangements. Your personality and | | | | flower and plant names, principles of color and design |
| attitude must be positive, as you will interface with | | | | techniques, selling skills, cash handling, computer, |
| customers on a regular basis. Also, in some flower | | | | estimating costs and customer service all while |
| shops you will be required to work as part of a team. | | | | working in the florist shop. |
| There will be moments and times when you will be | | | | A florist job is a very rewarding and powerful career |
| required to work in high pressure situations - most | | | | choice. It is one where you have the unique ability to |
| notably is Valentine's Day, Weddings and Funerals. | | | | use your creativity to positively impact a floral |
| The typical florist is open Monday through Saturday, | | | | bouquet's intended recipient. You will bring joy and |
| and some Sundays. The hours are usually 8am - 6pm, | | | | happiness to others on a daily basis through the floral |
| although the hours may vary depending upon location. | | | | designs that you create. There aren't too many other |
| As a manager or owner, you can expect to begin | | | | jobs in the world where you have this power! Go for it, |
| much earlier than 8am on the days that you will be | | | | and watch the lives you get to positively impact |
| required to visit the flower market to purchase your | | | | (including your own). |
| floral supplies. The majority of florists are small | | | | |