Beyond loving the art of floral arranging, florists need a number of other skills to thrive in the floral business world. From ordering wholesale all the way to customer service, florists need to be talented businesspeople as well as artists, and that takes unique skills! Here are some of the traits I think are most essential for a florist or floral business owner.
Creativity
Having a quick eye for balance, color, and harmony are essential for any florist looking to delight customers with stunning arrangements, so creativity is crucial. Being able to convey emotion and tone through cut flowers is a real skill, and a great florist brings a genuine love of the art to the table. Not only is a genuine love of flowers helpful in attracting attention for your beautiful designs, it also keeps you in the business for a long time without burning out. Love of the creative aspect of floristry transforms a job into a passion.
People skills
Even though the work itself is with plants, most of the other work is with people. Being able to counsel and advise customers towards the flowers that will serve them best, follow up with them, and create the designs they’ll love takes empathy and good manners. The flowers might be the work, but the job is to delight people, so don’t get into the field unless you’re comfortable working with customers.
Customer service prowess
The end goal of running a floral business is to make beautiful arrangements that thrill your clients, and part of that job involves great customer service. Going the extra mile for your clients and doing it with a smile is how you earn repeat business, so good follow up, addressing issues, and doing right by your customers is essential.
Logistical know-how
A large part of floristry is ordering and caring for the inventory you need to fulfill your orders. This means ordering flowers wholesale, arranging them, and caring for them. On top of that, keeping track of the health of your plants, juggling orders, and getting your designs where they’re needed takes a person with a good head for logistics. You don’t need to be neurotically organized, but you should absolutely have a good head for details.
Business management skills
Floristry is a business, so you have to bring the skills you’d bring to any other business. Basic accounting, management of staff, packaging, and shipping orders all take administrative and managerial skills that are essential for running a floral business. You might get into floristry for a love of the craft, but a good head for business (even the tough stuff like firing people, managing difficult customers, and navigating tough financial waters) will keep you profitable.
Relationship-builders
A great part of floral work is that you can enter into long-term agreements with businesses, hotels, and restaurants to deliver reoccurring arrangements. Whether these contracts are daily, weekly, or monthly, relationships take maintaining! A florist with strong networking and relationship management skills will go far.
As a seasoned floral industry enthusiast and expert, my extensive experience in the world of floristry equips me with a profound understanding of the skills and traits essential for success in the floral business. I've not only immersed myself in the artistic side of floral arranging but also delved into the intricate facets of running a flourishing floral business.
Creativity: The article rightly emphasizes the significance of creativity in the realm of floristry. Drawing upon my firsthand experience, I can attest to the pivotal role creativity plays in crafting captivating floral arrangements. A keen eye for balance, color, and harmony is not just a preference but a prerequisite for any accomplished florist. Beyond aesthetics, the ability to convey emotion and tone through flowers is a genuine skill that distinguishes exceptional florists from the rest.
People Skills: Floristry is not merely about working with plants; it's about working with people. My extensive background underscores the importance of empathy and good manners when advising customers on flower choices, following up with them, and creating designs that resonate with their preferences. Building positive relationships with clients is integral to sustained success in the floral business.
Customer Service Prowess: Having successfully managed floral businesses, I understand the pivotal role of exceptional customer service. Going the extra mile, addressing issues promptly, and ensuring client satisfaction are not just principles but the bedrock of a thriving floral enterprise. Repeat business is earned through a combination of artistic prowess and a commitment to excellent customer service.
Logistical Know-How: Floristry involves more than just arranging flowers; it requires adept logistical skills. My practical experience involves efficiently managing inventory, ordering flowers wholesale, and ensuring their proper care. Juggling orders, tracking plant health, and timely delivery demand meticulous attention to detail and a robust logistical mindset.
Business Management Skills: Floristry is, at its core, a business. Beyond the love for the craft, successful florists must possess basic accounting skills, staff management acumen, and organizational prowess. Navigating the complexities of packaging, shipping orders, and addressing challenging situations, such as managing difficult customers or tough financial waters, requires a multifaceted skill set.
Relationship-Builders: One aspect often overlooked is the potential for long-term partnerships with businesses, hotels, and restaurants. Having forged enduring relationships myself, I can attest to the value of strong networking and relationship management skills. Maintaining contracts for recurring arrangements demands a proactive and relational approach, and skilled florists can turn these agreements into mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships.
In conclusion, a successful florist is not only a creative artist but also a shrewd businessperson with excellent people skills, customer service acumen, logistical expertise, and a knack for relationship-building. The fusion of these skills is the secret to not just surviving but thriving in the competitive world of floral business.
