When contemplating a shift in one's line of work, there are a few considerations that should be given priority. When you were a kid, you may have fantasized about working in the kitchen as an adult, but is it truly a profession that you want to have now that you're an adult? You need to study your prospective career shift and see whether it is really right for you. Many professions need to be evaluated without rose-colored glasses on, and you need to do the same with your potential career move.
Changing one's profession to that of a florist is an option that many people consider pursuing later in life. For many individuals, changing careers to become a florist may be a significant undertaking, but it also offers the opportunity to take on a one-of-a-kind position that allows room for creative expression. Let's take a look at some of the most important things to think about if you're considering a career as a florist.
facets of one's character
There are some aspects of a person's character that are more suited to working in a flower store than others. Some examples of this are as follows:
Creativity - If you have a passion for all things creative and take pleasure in engaging in arts and crafts, a career in floristry can be a suitable fit for you. Because arranging flowers is unquestionably an art form, you'll have an advantage over other participants in the market if you can think creatively, have a good eye for flair, and come up with novel ideas.
Ability to coordinate colors Along with having a creative mind, being able to grasp which color combinations work well and which don't so well together can help you become a successful florist. Your job will be considerably more successful if you are familiar with and can interpret the color wheel.
A passion for the beauty of flowers It may be self-evident, but having a passion for floral design is essential. If you have a preexisting passion for flowers, you will have an increased likelihood of producing superior floral arrangements and will be in a much better position to assist consumers as a result of your prior understanding of flowers. Having an interest in flowers is essential for this job since you will be dealing directly with them every day.
Good people skills Having a fantastic set of communication skills can benefit you an enormous amount. Having good people skills is essential. It's possible that some of your clients will have a clear picture of what they want from you in their heads, but they won't know the names of the flowers they want or how to effectively convey what they want to you. Your ability to work well with people and exhibit patience will be of great use to you in identifying their requirements.
Work well under time constraints — Whether it's Valentine's day, a wedding, a funeral, or a last-minute bouquet to say "I'm sorry!", you need to be able to work effectively under time constraints. If you don't do what has to be done, your arrangements won't arrive on time for the events, your customers won't be satisfied with the services you provide, and you won't have any more customers. If you are unable to finish your task by the specified times and dates, your customers will go elsewhere for a florist who is better able to meet their requirements.
Capacity to perform well under pressure
Working at a flower business, particularly during the holidays and other important occasions such as weddings and funerals, can be an extremely demanding and hectic occupation. You will not only need to do the activities listed below, but you will also need to complete them quickly:
Take messages and calls
Take and deliver orders
Lift and maneuver the boxes about the room.
Perform duties at the register
Take care of the customers
Straighten up the store.
When it comes to the flowers, it is not enough to just arrange them in such a way that they seem fantastic. You still have a lot of work to perform, such as managing them, getting them ready, packing them, shipping them, and setting them up, among other things. The most essential thing for you to do is to give the flowers the correct care they need so that they do not wilt and perish. Depending on the kind of flower they are, this may include providing them with water and fertilizer as well as positioning them in the appropriate location, such as in the sun or in the shade.
You also need to be able to work under pressure, whether it's to meet a deadline for Valentine's Day, a wedding, a funeral, or a last-minute "I'm sorry!" bouquet order. If you don't do what has to be done, your arrangements won't arrive on time for the events, your customers won't be satisfied with the services you provide, and you won't have any more customers. If you are unable to finish your task by the specified times and dates, your customers will go elsewhere for a florist who is better able to meet their requirements.
If you are able to maintain your composure under pressure, becoming a florist can be the perfect profession for you.
Education
Acquiring the necessary credentials is your best bet if you want to make progress in your career. There are a few credentials that you'll need to get in order to become a florist, and these classes will help you get the career that you want. You have the option of continuing in your present employment while also pursuing your education, or you may try to find work in a flower store in addition to your studies. While simultaneously working toward obtaining your certification in this field, you will have the opportunity to get practical experience in the field. If you are the ideal candidate, some flower businesses may also consider offering you a traineeship or an apprenticeship job. This means that you can earn money while you are gaining your certification. In this situation, it would be preferable to visit a flower store and inquire about the employment opportunities they may supply to possible candidates.
Advancement in one's career
As a profession, floristry offers a lot of potential for advancement. You may get your foot in the door by working as a shop assistant, then further your career by becoming a florist, and then take it to the next level by owning your own business. In the event that your endeavor is successful, you can even decide to establish many outlets in various localities. It is up to you to decide how and where you want to continue your career, and there are many different chances accessible to florists who are just starting out.
Do you have an interest in starting your own floristry business?
It is thrilling to open your own flower business, but in order to do it successfully, you will need to possess the usual characteristics of an entrepreneur. These talents include being resilient, persistent, and diligent.
Because being a florist is not a 9 to 5 career, the person who chooses to go into business for themselves must have the ability to be flexible and accessible. You'll have to put in a lot of hours, especially on the weekends, on holidays like Valentine's Day, and even during the time off that's traditionally reserved for vacations. In addition to this, you will need to wake up early in order to have the most options available to you while selecting flowers for the day. You also have to provide care for the flowers to ensure that they do not wither away.
In addition to this, you will need to travel around to collect fresh flowers, interact with clients, attend events, arrange transportation and setup, and so on. You will also need to have understanding of the Internet and online marketing, since online sales are a significant role in the market for flowers in the modern day, and you will need to be able to take advantage of this.
You should get yourself ready to work every single day of the year. If you feel that you have what it takes to be successful in this line of work, then being an independent florist can be the best option for you.
Role duties
When you think about what it might be like to be a florist, you may imagine that all you have to do is take care of flowers, put together beautiful bouquets, and talk to clients. You will need to take on a few other obligations in addition to this one, despite the fact that this is a required aspect of being a florist.
Early in the morning - Depending on where you are located and where your stock comes from, you may have to get up at extremely early hours in order to go to the markets and suppliers that you need to go to in order to get the flowers that you need for your inventory. It's possible that you'll end up working a full day's worth of hours before your store even opens its doors. You will be required to be able to work at a variety of different times including, if necessary, outside of typical business hours.
Keeping up with maintenance at your store Your store and shop front represent the "face" of your company. If your shop is dirty and unorganized, prospective buyers will automatically assume that the things you sell are the same as those offered by your competitors. Instead, taking care of the store and making sure it remains attractive will only contribute to the creation of a pleasant environment for everyone.
Keeping track of pricing Florists need to be creative, but they also need to have a brain for business. Keeping track of costs is an important part of the job. It is not always easy to set pricing in a way that allows a company to remain competitive while still covering the expenses of operating the firm. To keep your company afloat in the long run, you will need to have an understanding of the prices to charge your clients.
Plant and flower maintenance Taking care of the flowers and plants in the shop is an important part of the job. Selling flowers is one aspect of the job, but another is ensuring their health and well-being. Your inventory will last longer, you will save money, and you won't have to purchase new stock every day if you take measures to ensure that plants and flowers may remain alive for as long as possible before being offered for sale to clients. Being able to properly care for your product is essential, and it makes up a significant portion of what it means to be a florist.
It is a highly satisfying line of work to study to become a florist. Check out the courses that are offered by ICI UK if you want to know more about how to pursue a career in floristry, which can be your dream profession.