Can anyone become a florist?

Interesting question. I suppose you're unsure if you're qualified for that industry or not. I'm going to do my best as a Marketer specialised in the floral industry to guide and reassure you about that matter. So, can anyone become a florist?

To answer your question: yes, anyone can become a florist. Now you're probably thinking "okay and what else? How can I become one?"

To be honest with you, there are different levels in floristry qualifications but you'd be surprised to know that certain florists have never enrolled in any type of training or courses. But ... it doesn't mean that you have the green light to go on and launch your flower business with no background at all. Let's say that it depends on where you are in your journey. How long have you been thinking of becoming a florist? Do you have any experience in this field? Do you have a budget for your training? Are you ready to launch anytime soon?

There's also one thing you have to be aware of: it depends on your country of residence. I know for a fact that there are more requirements when it comes to becoming a florist in the UK than in the US for example.

Here's a simple guideline to help you make the right decision.

Table of contents

1. Find out if you need a license to sell flowers in your state

2. Anyone can become a florist but will you do it for years?

3. It's never too late to change your career

4. What is your real "why"

5. My final recommendations

1/ Find out if you need a license to sell flowers in your state

You can easily find the right information by searching with this specific query on Google: "do you need a license to be a florist in" + your state

It takes less than 5 seconds and you'll know exactly what to do next. In most cases, you'll most likely need a license as a retailer. I won't talk much about the legal aspect of selling flowers in this article because that's not the topic but do your researches before launching your florist business.

2/Anyone can become a florist but will you do it for years?

If you see it as a hobby and plan on treating it as such for months or even years, then you may consider another "hobby." How do I know?

Because I've seen many people dedicating hours in a passion, a hobby and making little to no profit from it. What once was a few hours of devotion and excitement became a burden and a source of stress. You have to see it this way.

Imagine that you love sewing, you spend your time making dolls clothes and you began monetizing your hobby. And then you've developed a side income with your creativity. But 6 months later, the demand is low and no one's enquiring for your products.

What I want you to understand is your mindset will dictate your success for pretty much anything in life. I personally love flowers, I love taking pictures of flowers, I know that you can make good money selling custom arrangements, I like arranging bouquets for my living room but I also know that despite my interest, I don't see myself being a florist 5, 10 or 20 years down the road.

3/ It's never too late to change your career

No one's going to blame you for that. You may be a tattoo artist right now, or a nurse, or you could even be an accountant, you're free to do whatever you want. Just make sure you have enough in your savings before making the switch. Give yourself time to reflect and ponder before resigning from your job.

First step: talk with experienced floral designers and learn as much as you can from their journey. Ask them how they started, how much they charged in the beginning, what type of training they followed, how did they get their first client, etc. And don't do this with just 1 successful florist, make friends with florists from different backgrounds. The more you learn, the better you'll be prepared.

4/ What is your real "why"?

Do you want to become a florist just to make money or is it a real passion? Are you doing it to please your mother because she pressured you to do so? Are you considering this field because you think it doesn't require any effort at all?

Again, your motives and beliefs will shape your actions and you'll be surprised to find out that the wrong assumptions can cause damage. I'm here to tell you the truth as a Marketer who's been helping for florists to sell online for a while now.

Like any business, to make good money, you need to have the right priorities in order. Certain florists are extremely successful while others are struggling to make the ends meet. You need to have a stronger "why" than just "trying to make money" to succeed.

I've noticed that being passionate about something and turning it into a fruitful small business is not as easy as it sounds. You need a level of dedication to achieve great results. But hey, I believe in you. If you're still reading at this point, it means that your love for flowers is REAL. If you barely cared, you would have stopped at my 2nd point.

Your "why" must be somehow personal. Many people start a business to provide for their family or to fund their lifestyle. No matter who or what you're doing it for, please proceed with a kind and honest heart. Don't force yourself to become a florist just to please someone else's ego.

Last but not least, mastering floral design seems simple on the surface but developing this craft takes years. Believe me, your favorite florist spent years improving his or her skills to be where they are right now.

Never underestimate the power of time, failures and experience when it comes to anything artistic and creative. You can be born with talent but it takes practice to win in the long run.

5/ My final recommendations

Ready to dive deep into the floral industry? Here are a few recommendations before writing your business plan and creating your profiles on each social media channel.

Find inspiration online to create the perfect flower business name ever. You have to stand out!

Ask yourself if you really need a logo as a florist. Not everyone uses one and paying someone to design your flower business logo can be expensive. Unless you go to Fiver. If you decide to get a logo straight away then choose your brand colors well. 

Many aspiring florists love the idea of having a website 2, 3 weeks after starting. I get it, a website makes you look legit but ask yourself if you’re at a stage where you need one or not. Do you absolutely need a site to run your business or do you just want one?

Learn about the pros and cons of building your site yourself, if you believe that a website is necessary for your initial growth.

And last but not least, learn how to promote flowers on social media and how to advertise your flower business well, when you’re truly ready to make money selling flowers online.

Hopefully my insights answered your deepest questions. By the way, I wrote an article about my favorite floral educators and coaches if you're ready for the commitment. Click here to read.

So, are you ready to become a florist? Tell me in the comments.

See you in my next post, take care!