“After finishing the qualification I wanted more involvement in the floristry industry, so completed a Jane Packer course. At that time, she was opening a concession in the Bull Ring, Birmingham so I got a job there. It was hard work, but really gave me good background experience and meant that I could be creative on a daily basis, which was great.
“It was a big leap from working for someone else to owning my own business, but I was lucky enough to have the cash to buy a shop. I only looked because I was curious, but as soon as I walked into what is now my shop, I could see the potential immediately.
"It is really useful to link up with others and learn best practice from people that have actually been in the same situation as you"
“Training is important. Even the training that I had in my previous job has helped me now. Obviously the business management side of things has been easier because of my background, but customer service is also a priority, which is a skill I picked up before I entered floristry, through dealing with people from the shop floor up to director level. It’s my name now that is above that door – if someone comes in and I do not treat them in a manner that they like there is no comeback to anyone but me.
“Some people underestimate the importance of retail skills. I have just completed a series of retail workshops through the local LSC. The workshops covered things like marketing, retail law and customer services – generic skills, but very appropriate for a floristry business. The gentleman running the course even came out to visit your business on a weekly basis – if you can find a course like that, which is tailored to your business, I would definitely recommend it.
“I think a lot of florists would also benefit from on-line learning. You cannot always commit to full courses. I run the business day to day on my own, so like a lot of florists I can’t always take full days out, or even attend courses on specific days. If you have a large job on, it takes over everything. On-line training would mean that when you get a chance to take some time out, you can do bits as and when, but still make sure that your customers are looked after.
”I don’t think you can beat practical examples of training in floristry. Text books can be a bit vague and you can’t visualise the finished product. It is really useful to link up with others and learn best practice, from people that have actually been in the same situation as you and come through it – plus you generate a huge amount of ideas.
“It’s important that we all try and help each other to prosper in the industry and share with others the skills we have, to keep the profession fresh and alive. Eventually, I would like to run workshops to help others who are interested in floristry to take that initial step as I have. Even just informing people how to dress flowers in their front room is a start – if it gets someone interested, that’s great.
“There are plenty of other people like me, who want to work in the industry but don’t know how to start. That’s why it’s so important that we spread the word. I would always advise someone interested in floristry that they must enjoy it too, it’s not a case of a + b = c where flowers are concerned – you must have an eye for colour. but if you want to do it, you’ll succeed and hopefully enjoy it as much as I do.”
