How to Be a Successful Florist

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, about a third of florists are self-employed, and the median salary for a professional florist is $21,210. "Entrepreneur" magazine estimates that the cost for starting a florist business is between $10,000 and $50,000, so it can take a few years for a florist to start turning a profit, but there are ways to improve the success of your floral design business.

Instructions

1. Apply to become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) through the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). Though it is not a requirement to run a floral design business, becoming a CFD gives you access to industry news and resources to help grow your florist business. To apply, you will need to complete an AIFD course, submit an application and complete an online test. You will then have to pass a four-hour exam that requires the creation of five different types of floral arrangements.

2. Get noticed by the wedding market. Weddings are one of the biggest moneymakers for floral designers. Advertise in local wedding magazines or wedding supplements, make contact with popular wedding blogs, and ask to leave your card or business information with local wedding planners and in local bridal stores.

3. Keep your inventory small. Because flowers and other floral elements are perishable, buying too much stock is wasting money. It is usually fairly easy to get the flowers you need with a quick turnaround, so don't stock up on supplies that will end up wilting on the shelf.

4. Get involved in your community. Participating in community events, such as benefit dinners and auctions, helps shine a spotlight on your business.

5. Invest in high-quality photos of your arrangements, especially for the first few years. A portfolio of your best work can be one of your strongest selling points as a florist, so it's worth paying a professional photographer to take photos of your work. If you can't afford a professional, take a photography course at a local college or art school to improve your own camera skills.

Tips & Warnings

• Read wedding magazines and lifestyle magazines to look for color and flower trends to keep your business current.

• Even if you operate a florist business from your home, you'll need a business license.

References

• U.S. Department of Labor: Floral Design
• Starting a Florist Business
• Society of American Florists

Resources

• American Institute of Floral Designers