How to Start a Floristry Business
If you love being around flowers and have a knack for flower arrangement and design, a florist business may be a good career choice. The occasions that prompt people to order and send flowers never go away. If you follow a handful of specific steps, you'll be well on your way to success.
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Instructions
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Learn about all elements of the florist business, including retail, wholesale and growers. Work in a flower shop in different positions to get a feel for the business. Decide if you will start a wholesale florist supplier business and supply flowers to retailers or be a retailer yourself.
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Create a business plan or hire a marketing agency to create one for you. It will cover all aspects of your business like a mission statement, financial plan, operating plan, competitor analysis and marketing strategies.
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Decide if you will open a franchise or an independent flower business. A franchise may give you more help with start up and marketing but may be more restrictive when it comes to running your business how you want. Decide if you will specialize with one type or category of flower or offer a variety.
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Find a location for your business. Try to find a location with a good amount of foot traffic if you choose the retail option. Find a place that is visible from a main road and easy for people to reach. Visit city hall for your business license and any other permits you may need to operate.
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Find a supplier for your flowers. Talk to some noncompeting flower shops and ask which wholesalers they have had success with in the past. If you are a franchise, this will be taken care of for you.
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Hire employees. Try to find workers with at least some experience in the floral industry. Consider hiring a manager to oversee the employees and report directly to you if you won't be around a lot.
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Promote your flower shop. Try to have the exterior sign up before you open to create a buzz. Mail out fliers and brochures to your geographical area. Create a website and showcase all the different flowers you have available. Create a frequent buyer program, prepay specials and referral program. Visit local funeral homes and hospitals and leave your business cards and brochures.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit flowers image by below from Fotolia.com
