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It’s great to hear that you’re interested in starting a home-based floral business. Obviously, it means you love gardening and flowers. This is a very good decision, as a florist is one of the few home businesses that run successfully.
In this business, most of your business will be done either on phone or via your website, so you won’t need a storefront. You might come across some customers who would want to see your work or pick up arrangements from your home, so keep some space dedicated to your business, preferably away from your home.
If you have no clue how to set up your florist shop, here’s the lowdown:
1. Define an area in your home for your business
It should have an independent entrance and easy access to water. It should accommodate a worktable, a cooler and some room to walk around.
You should also have enough room to display some arrangements and an album of your work done for weddings or other events.
2. Draw up a plan
Now that your space is defined, make a plan of all the things you’re going to fit in there. You’ll need a refrigerator to keep your flowers fresh. You’ll also need a couple of worktables.
Have an idea of the costs involved to get flowers and to hire a couple of employees and delivery boys. It’s always important to be aware of your costs, so write it down.
3. Buy florist’s tools and inventory
Go to an office supply store and buy a pair of scissors and business cards. Also, stop by a craft store and get styrofoam, florist wire colored ribbon and floral tape. Don’t forget to buy knives somewhere too!
Your store also needs vases, baskets, add-on gifts like chocolates, stuffed animals, and balloons.
4. Let people know what you can do
Don’t restrict yourself to bouquets. Go beyond that to include centerpieces, wedding flower arrangements, gardening contracts and much more.
Think of all the possibilities where flowers would be needed and then reach out to the world with your offerings.
5. Complete all your paperwork before you begin marketing your business
Fill out the necessary forms, start an IRS business account and state sales tax account. Also, file a city or county business license. Remember to let your lawyer know whether you want to start a sole proprietorship and ask him how you should file your documents.
Have a dedicated phone line for your business. Speak to a content developer to build your business website for online orders.
6. Make your presence felt
It could take ages before you get the recognition you truly deserve. So, instead of waiting for that to happen, begin by providing free arrangements for small functions where your visibility will be high.
Attend bridal shows and let funeral homes know of your business. When you make offers in person, take some appropriate samples of your work along. Speak to posh restaurants in your vicinity for table arrangements in return for some recognition.
7. Speak to mentors for guidance
If you don’t know the ins and outs of this business, don’t worry. There are lots of veterans in this field who’ll be only too happy to help.
If there are florists in your neighborhood, speak to them and ask where they source their flowers from. Check online for wholesalers who can drop off flowers at your store.
8. Work hard on your feedback
In this day and age of electronic media, bad news travels faster than good. So, if you do receive a bad review from a customer, make amends immediately. If you’ve messed up, apologize. This is one way of building trust in your business, which only time will bear out.
As in any business, a florist business requires you to be attentive to fine details, amiable and be able to deliver on your promise. As you go further in your business, you’ll learn many more tips to succeed in the flower business.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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Cool, definitely a lot easier now than the past ..with technology.
Technology has helped a lot of new businesses get started these days.
My bff & I have talked about a food truck or some sort of bakery. Her & my daughter love to cook & bake, and I can’t at all, but I am very business minded in comparison to them.
That’s neat! I want to start a business one day too. Maybe something with animals 🙂
I’ve always been scared to start a new business because of the risk factor involved. I’m taking a business course these days and maybe one day in the future I can have my own business!
What kind of business would you start?
These sound like good ideas. I’ve never seriously thought about having my own small business.
I have been self-employed since 2003 but working on a blog. I am ready for a career change that better suits my needs.
What kind of work are you in? I’m always looking for more ways to make money at home.
I planted 3 hibiscus bushes in my garden recently. I think that is the most I will do with working with flowers. I have a friend who is a florist, and it is certainly an art and a labor of love.
Haha, I need to plant some new flowers here soon too. I know what you mean, though, it really has to be a labor of love. Maybe if I had a green thumb lol.
Great tips. I’ve always wanted to start my own business, but never knew where to look or how to start.
What kind of business would you start if you could?
I have not really thought about owning my own business. It would be exciting to have a business of my own. It would also be very scary to me.
I think it would be fun to own a business too. It would just take some time to figure out how everything works, though.
I come from a huge family history of entrepreneurs:
Appliance repairmen
Florist
Massage Therapist
Heating/Air cond. repair
Construction
Automotive Machinist
Interior Decorators
Jewelers
Grocery stores
And so much more. It takes a lot of hard work (& VERY LITTLE VACATION TIME) and a great mind for business, and several other traits, but it is rewarding.
Wow, you do know a lot of entrepreneurs. Are you one too?
When I was married my husband and I had our own construction business for a couple years but the taxes and insurances got too be too expensive. I sometimes want to start my own craft store
I’m sorry the construction business didn’t work out. A craft store sounds super fun, though!
Owning your own business can be very rewarding. But, know this, you won’t get rich overnight – if at all. The first 5 years are the toughest (if your business survives that long). If you can’t commit – don’t do it.
Sounds like you are speaking from experience. Did you run a business?
My fiance’ has a small business. He does high end residential painting. He loves to cook and I like to prep when he does so we have thought about getting a food truck or small takeout business someday.
That would be fun to do as a couple! You should try to start that business someday. Never know where it could go.
I did start my own business earlier this year. I just turned 40 and decided it was time to leave the 9-5 grind and become my own boss. So I joined this worldwide community of business owners where I met like-minded people that achieved the results that I was looking for. What’s great about our online business is you’re assigned a mentor who’ll guide you every step of the way and the training videos are up-to-date and detailed so no experience necessary. They also hold you accountable for the success of your online business to ensure that you’re head is always in the game. It’s just perfect for me because I was able to fire my boss, and I now work from home where I get to spend more time with my loved ones. Check it out – jaffhusin.com.
What community did you join? I’d love to hear more about it.
I started my own sewing business about five years ago but I found it far too stressful. After just a few months I threw in the towel and went back to sewing for just for fun.
If it didn’t make you happy, doing it for fun was the right decision!
Great ideas. I’m too lazy to start my own small business. Perhaps one day I shall. Bookmarking this for that ‘one day’!!!
If you did start a business, what would it be?
Probably something to do cookies. But I’ve lost interest in baking for some time.
Maybe you will find something new that piques your interest.
I have thought of starting my own business. I haven’t yet…but I might!
What business would you start?
I have owned 2 restaurants, a bingo hall and 8 taxis. All because I owned my own consulting firm for over 30 years and took advantage of profitable opportunities
Wow, sounds like you are well aware of how to start a business. What is your best tip?
The best thing I can say is…..Just persevere..until the great days overcome the obstacles you will face for the time it takes to become successful..no matter how you define the word
You are so right. Perseverance is key if you want to start a business since so many fail.
Starting would be great these are good ideas.
I have not thought about starting my own business. I get stressed easily and have anxiety just the thought of it scares me.
I get stressed easily too, but the thought of starting a business doesn’t scare me. I get more anxiety following other peoples rules and demands. I get a feeling that I won’t live up to their expectations.
I tried to start a business at about 12? Designing outfits for my friends hamsters lol!
That’s too funny! Our hamsters just had babies 🙂
I have thought of and already have started an online business for web design and marketing. I have just completed my first website for a client in Kenya.
That’s awesome! I’m glad you’ve found something you enjoy to do.
Yes I think about it all the time. I think it would be great to have one..
What kind of business would you start?
I realize that you have to have some start up money and take risks, but I would not know what to do for a successful business. As a business owner, you don’t get paid a salary; just a percentage of the profits. (No profits, no income). You can go the “traditional” route and get financing to start a franchise or sole proprietorship etc. at which point you better know what you are doing otherwise your business can tank leaving you with endless debt. I’ve never been that much of a risk taker.
Having no income would suck! I guess you have to make sure you have a nice nest egg first or start a business where you also actually do the job.
Yes, I have been working on it. I sell on Ebay/etc.
What do you sell?
I have no personal interest in starting a small business. I’m retired now and enjoying it.
Living the good life, huh?
I haven’t seriously thought about owning my own business. If I ever did, it would be something like being a virtual asst.
A lot of people do the VA thing. I think I would like that too if you could make a decent amount.
I honestly never would have thought of doing a floral home business, but now that I think about it, what a great idea! These are great tips for success.
It’s perfect especially if you love flowers!
This is very useful info, thank you so much for sharing! I have never thought about starting my own business before.