How to become a Florist

How to become a Florist Roses are red, violets are blue. Something about being a Florist (which is clever, and rhymes)… Florists design, construct, and sell flower arrangements, using their imagination and artistic skills to come up with the most beautiful and creative displays for their customers.Their skills are needed for a variety of different occasions, ranging from birthdays, weddings and anniversaries through to retirements and bereavements. They may also create flower displays for special functions and events.Typical duties for a Florist could include:Selecting and ordering flowers for their displaysDesigning and assembling bouquets, wreaths and flower arrangementsServing customers, and helping them choose their productsEducating people on how to care for their flowersTaking online/phone orders, and making deliveriesSetting up displays at eventsIs it right for me?You’ll need a real interest in plants and flowers, not to mention creative flair and design skills, in order to become a Florist.Gener ally, you’ll be dealing with members of the general public, making excellent customer service skills similarly essential. And, contrary to popular belief, the job can also be quite physically demanding at times. Especially when transporting flowers and displays back and forth all day.N.B. Those suffering from severe cases of hay fever need not apply…Other key skills for a Florist include:A good sense of colour, and shapeKnowledge of seasonality and a flower’s lifespanExcellent practical skillsNatural business acumen and understanding of USPTact, empathy and sincerityGood time management, and the ability to work under pressureCareer Progression Junior FloristUp to £14,000 FloristUp to £24,000 Store ManagerUp to 30,000What's it really like? Being a Florist probably isn’t anything like what you’d expect â€" you know, all dainty and delicate. I get up at the crack of dawn three or four times a week to go to flower markets and pick up new stock, driving an hour or so each w ay to get the freshest possible products. Then I load it all in the van on my own, before I drive back and open the shop to start the day, putting together new arrangements and delivering them all over. It’s pretty exhausting, but when you get back to a beautiful shop bursting with flowers, it’s pretty much unbeatable. Just don’t be scared to get your hands dirty. Literally. Get qualifiedYou won’t necessarily need any formal qualifications in order to become a Florist, and many employers offer on-the-job training or apprenticeships. However, it is a competitive industry, and a dedicated floristry certification will certainly set you apart when it comes to applying for entry-level roles.