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Choosing a career as a florist is quite commendable. A florist job is the type of job where you have the unique ability to positively impact every person who receives your floral arrangements. People are very grateful when receiving flowers, so if it’s you doing the creating then you know that you’ve brightened someone’s day. In addition you get to work in an environment that is fast paced, filled with colorful blossoms, fresh floral fragrances and typically a pleasant work place.

It doesn’t require a college degree to become a florist. In fact, some people actually became florists by making the decision to open a flower shop and start selling floral arrangements. However, most have either worked in a flower shop first before becoming a florist or went to floral school to learn how to be a florist. If you have no previous experience, then it is recommended that you either find a florist to work for or you enroll in a floral school to learn all the basics first.

To become a great florist you should be a creative and artistic type of individual along with having a love of flowers. You will need to understand and apply the principles of color design, shape, and theory. You will need to learn and know the properties of different flowers, plants, and foliages so as to utilize them appropriately in arrangements. Your personality and attitude must be positive, as you will interface with customers on a regular basis. Also, in some flower shops you will be required to work as part of a team. There will be moments and times when you will be required to work in high pressure situations – most notably is Valentine’s Day, Weddings and Funerals.

The typical florist is open Monday through Saturday, and some Sundays. The hours are usually 8am – 6pm, although the hours may vary depending upon location. As a manager or owner, you can expect to begin much earlier than 8am on the days that you will be required to visit the flower market to purchase your floral supplies. The majority of florists are small business operations, with few employees.

There are a some large and well established florists as well. The smaller shops provide the opportunity to learn the entire business operation. The larger shops operate more like a corporation where everyone has a specific position and task to perform with room for advancement over time.

Here is the #1 TIP for achieving success as a florist — Starting a florist career is best done as an apprentice or working in an existing flower shop. This way you can learn directly from a professional florist and have the opportunity to learn the inside operations while working on the job. Learning first hand is always the best route considering that the field of floristry is a hands-on or tactile job. It is also recommended that floral school or floral training classes be attended as well to supplement or formalize the on the job training received as an apprentice.

Many times people will choose to attend a floral school prior to looking for a job. This route is acceptable as well, although the sooner you can get a job at a florist the better off you will be. You will be trained/re-trained by an experienced florist after completing school, so the advice is to find a job as soon as you can. You will learn shop procedures, care of flowers and plants, flower and plant names, principles of color and design techniques, selling skills, cash handling, computer, estimating costs and customer service all while working in the florist shop.

A florist job is a very rewarding and powerful career choice. It is one where you have the unique ability to use your creativity to positively impact a floral bouquet’s intended recipient. You will bring joy and happiness to others on a daily basis through the floral designs that you create. There aren’t too many other jobs in the world where you have this power! Go for it, and watch the lives you get to positively impact (including your own).