Four easy steps to start your own florist businessYvette

Do you dream of turning your passion for flowers into a thriving, profitable business? Whether you’re at the very start of your floristry career or are a seasoned flower specialist seeking to expand your horizons, starting up your own company is an excellent route to take.

But the truth is starting your own business will never be totally stress-free. In this guide, by breaking each stage of the process down into smaller steps, we hope to show how this worthwhile journey becomes enjoyable and easy. You’ll soon see your goal within reach.

Create a business plan

Creating a detailed business plan is essential to get you started in the right direction. Begin by deciding on your niche – for example, corporate events, weddings, or everyday arrangements – and then use that to identify your target customers, pricing, and budget.

Remember to research your competition extensively and identify your unique selling point (USP) when creating your plan. After all, you want to make sure your business is going to stand out from the crowd for the best chance of success.

Handle legal and financial requirements

While it may be the less fun, more serious part, ensuring you have your finances in order and have taken care of the legal aspects of your business is crucial. You’ll need to register your business name and get any permits or licenses you need to trade. Following that, open a separate business bank account for effective financial management. You should also set up bookkeeping to track expenses and sales. 

It’s important to get the legal and financial stuff right to avoid any hurdles (or even legal penalties in some instances). Educate yourself on business essentials and if you have limited experience or feel you could benefit from additional guidance, seek professional advice for peace of mind.

Set up your space and source suppliers

Will you be opening a brick-and-mortar store or setting yourself up as an online retailer? Choose your location wisely based on your niche, target market and budget, and then get started on your branding. You can then focus on the design of your space (whether physical or virtual) in line with your chosen aesthetic and brand message.

Now it’s time to build relationships with your suppliers. While sourcing stunning blooms will be your priority, it’s important to also make sure you have access to coolers, vases, ribbons, and any other professional tools you may need.

Market and grow your brand

All that’s left to do is to get the word out about your exciting new florist business. Take to social media to build an online presence (you may want to employ a professional to help with this) and spend some time networking with wedding planners, event venues and other local businesses. This is a great way to both advertise your business and get helpful tips and feedback.

Remember, starting a business is hard, and not everybody gets it right the first time. Take it step by step, and don’t be disheartened if you need to tweak your approach. With a little persistence and plenty of passion, you’ll be well on your way to running the floristry business of your dreams.