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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.
Habits That Will Help You Advance Your Career
“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”
Calvin
April 3, 2019 at 10:06 amCool, definitely a lot easier now than the past ..with technology.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 9, 2019 at 12:40 pmTechnology has helped a lot of new businesses get started these days.
Kristine Shelton
April 6, 2019 at 7:14 amMy 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 9, 2019 at 12:49 pmThat’s neat! I want to start a business one day too. Maybe something with animals 🙂
Deepali Singh
May 15, 2019 at 12:57 pmI’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!
Home Jobs By Mom
May 28, 2019 at 10:40 amWhat kind of business would you start?
Kara Marks
April 6, 2019 at 7:50 pmThese sound like good ideas. I’ve never seriously thought about having my own small business.
Nancy
April 15, 2019 at 9:05 pmI have been self-employed since 2003 but working on a blog. I am ready for a career change that better suits my needs.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 17, 2019 at 2:27 pmWhat kind of work are you in? I’m always looking for more ways to make money at home.
Amy D
April 16, 2019 at 2:53 pmI 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 17, 2019 at 2:32 pmHaha, 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.
Darlene Carbajal
April 17, 2019 at 2:11 pmGreat tips. I’ve always wanted to start my own business, but never knew where to look or how to start.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 17, 2019 at 2:42 pmWhat kind of business would you start if you could?
Denise Low
April 18, 2019 at 2:34 pmI 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 27, 2019 at 9:37 amI think it would be fun to own a business too. It would just take some time to figure out how everything works, though.
Dawn D.
April 19, 2019 at 6:52 pmI 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
April 27, 2019 at 9:59 amWow, you do know a lot of entrepreneurs. Are you one too?
Paula Pennachio
April 21, 2019 at 7:26 pmWhen 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
Home Jobs By Mom
April 27, 2019 at 10:26 amI’m sorry the construction business didn’t work out. A craft store sounds super fun, though!
Dawn D.
April 22, 2019 at 6:51 amOwning 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 11:17 amSounds like you are speaking from experience. Did you run a business?
Dana Rodriguez
April 25, 2019 at 11:45 amMy 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 11:39 amThat would be fun to do as a couple! You should try to start that business someday. Never know where it could go.
Jaff
April 27, 2019 at 9:36 pmI 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 1:42 pmWhat community did you join? I’d love to hear more about it.
Heather K
April 27, 2019 at 10:27 pmI 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 2:10 pmIf it didn’t make you happy, doing it for fun was the right decision!
Veronica Lee
April 30, 2019 at 5:56 amGreat ideas. I’m too lazy to start my own small business. Perhaps one day I shall. Bookmarking this for that ‘one day’!!!
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 2:19 pmIf you did start a business, what would it be?
Veronica Lee
May 10, 2019 at 10:10 pmProbably something to do cookies. But I’ve lost interest in baking for some time.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 16, 2019 at 4:07 pmMaybe you will find something new that piques your interest.
Cindy S.
May 3, 2019 at 6:30 amI have thought of starting my own business. I haven’t yet…but I might!
Home Jobs By Mom
May 10, 2019 at 4:15 pmWhat business would you start?
Ronald Gagnon
May 4, 2019 at 6:13 pmI 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
Home Jobs By Mom
May 13, 2019 at 1:49 pmWow, sounds like you are well aware of how to start a business. What is your best tip?
Ronald Gagnon
May 13, 2019 at 2:54 pmThe 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
Home Jobs By Mom
May 17, 2019 at 2:48 pmYou are so right. Perseverance is key if you want to start a business since so many fail.
Nancy Burgess
May 14, 2019 at 8:48 amStarting would be great these are good ideas.
kathy pease
May 14, 2019 at 2:13 pmI have not thought about starting my own business. I get stressed easily and have anxiety just the thought of it scares me.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 17, 2019 at 2:52 pmI 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.
Devon Pickford
May 15, 2019 at 8:20 amI tried to start a business at about 12? Designing outfits for my friends hamsters lol!
Home Jobs By Mom
May 28, 2019 at 9:37 amThat’s too funny! Our hamsters just had babies 🙂
lixxey
May 15, 2019 at 5:06 pmI 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 28, 2019 at 12:17 pmThat’s awesome! I’m glad you’ve found something you enjoy to do.
Brandon Sparks
May 15, 2019 at 5:48 pmYes I think about it all the time. I think it would be great to have one..
Home Jobs By Mom
May 28, 2019 at 2:01 pmWhat kind of business would you start?
Sandy Klocinski
May 16, 2019 at 6:50 amI 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 28, 2019 at 3:54 pmHaving 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.
Jamie Martin
May 16, 2019 at 2:33 pmYes, I have been working on it. I sell on Ebay/etc.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 17, 2019 at 2:53 pmWhat do you sell?
Sarah L
May 16, 2019 at 2:50 pmI have no personal interest in starting a small business. I’m retired now and enjoying it.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 29, 2019 at 7:49 amLiving the good life, huh?
Kara Marks
May 16, 2019 at 4:11 pmI haven’t seriously thought about owning my own business. If I ever did, it would be something like being a virtual asst.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 29, 2019 at 11:09 amA lot of people do the VA thing. I think I would like that too if you could make a decent amount.
Kristi
May 16, 2019 at 11:48 pmI 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.
Home Jobs By Mom
May 29, 2019 at 2:05 pmIt’s perfect especially if you love flowers!
Lauryn R
May 18, 2019 at 9:36 pmThis is very useful info, thank you so much for sharing! I have never thought about starting my own business before.