How to Open a Flower Stand

Nothing adds color to a busy street more than a flower stand, brimming with roses, daisies, mums and tulips. Reminiscent of a walk through the Rue Cler Market in France, the bright colors invite customers to browse for that perfect rose to give a girlfriend or a bouquet of daisies to weave a child's crown. While they enjoy your blooms, you'll be making a nice profit.

Instructions

1. Ask your local zoning board about the necessary permits and licenses to open a flower stand. You may have to adapt the dimensions of your stand to comply with regulations.

2. Get your paperwork in order. You may need to file a business name with your state and get a sales tax number. You can consult an accountant to get you started or you can make the phone calls yourself and save some money. You will also need to track all your expenses and sales for income tax purposes.

3. Choose your location wisely. Men are frequent buyers of blooms, often stopping to pick some up on their way home from work. Open your stand in a location that allows drivers to pull alongside through an open window, never leaving their automobile. A mall or superstore parking lot is a good choice.

4. Locate your suppliers. Once you set up shop, you will need a reliable, continuous supply of fresh blooms for your flower stand. Negotiate with a supplier to purchase limited amounts until your business is established. With any luck, you will locate a nearby wholesaler; otherwise, you will need to arrange to have your supplies brought in. (See Resources)

5. Design your stand to display your blooms in an inviting manner. Consider a tiered display that utilizes vertical space, holding plant cones high enough that they are visible to motorists from a distance, giving them time to pull over.

6. Hire the cheeriest help you can find. Buying flowers should be fun. You are adding brightness, color and warmth to people's lives, make sure your employees have the same attitude and your reputation will grow.