So you finally decided to earn a profit from your passion for floristry? After years of creating different designs of floral bouquets and flower arrangements, perhaps this is the right time to step up in your career and pursue your dreams of being a professional florist. Fortunately, you don’t need a big space to start off because even at the comfort of your business you can run a successful floristry.
Thinking of how to start a home-based floral business? Consider these helpful tips:
· Understand the Floristry Business
If you are an aspiring florist and you want to start your own home based floral business, it is an advantage if you will have an in-depth understanding of the business. Similar to opening a typical retail flower shop, you will need to exert efforts and dedication in floristry before setting up your home based business.
Think about the time and money that you also need to invest if you want to be a home based florist. Understand that it is more than just making flower arrangements for your friends or family on special occasions, especially when customers start to come for daily demands. Hence, you must be prepared for day-to-day operations and daily challenges. If you are thinking about how to start a flower business from home, get a better understanding of the niche you want to focus on and the demands of the target market you want to do business with.
· Equip Yourself with the Necessary Skills
Although you are not required to have a diploma or certifications in starting a floral business, you will benefit a lot if you will equip yourself with the necessary skills in floristry. Yes, you enjoy creating new designs, but it is better if you are familiar with the classic and traditional designs, as well as with the contemporary and modern designs.
Taking up a short course in floristry and some certifications makes you qualified to start a floral business. You also become more competent and credible in providing excellent products and services to your clients.
· Define a Place at Home Where You Can Do Your Home-Based Floral Business
Remember that you are handling fresh and delicate flowers, thus you need a place at home where these flowers are secured. A typical workplace for your flower arranging business from home is one that has a work table, a storage or cooler for the flowers, and a space for mobility. It is an advantage if you also have some wooden racks where you can put on display several pictures of recent creations or keep an album of your latest designs.
Your place at home should be comfortable and inspiring so that you will be able to bring out your creativity and skills. In case your clients pay you a visit, you will be confident to accommodate them in your small workplace at home.
· Secure Your Florist Business Permit
You can’t go on setting up a floristry business without securing a permit and license to operate. Complete all the documents, fill up the forms and furnish your local municipality with the needed papers to register your business legally. Get legal help from your lawyer if you want your home based floral design business to run smoothly.
· Get a Decent Stock of Supplies, Materials, and Fresh Flowers
As you think of how to start a flower shop at home, you may want to complete the necessary materials and tools in arranging bouquets. The basic materials include a pair of sharp scissors, cutters, floral wire, floral tape, foam, and ribbons. It will be helpful if you will also have pruning shears and some glass vases in different styles and designs.
Moreover, for a flower shop at home, a decent stock of flowers and foliage in different types, sizes, shapes, and colors is profitable. But you have to be wise in selecting which types to store and which one to avail upon orders.
If you plan to provide your customers with a reliable florist delivery, make sure that you have efficient delivery equipment and transportation means.
· Market Your Home-Based Florist Business
There are many ways to market your home-based florist business and increase awareness so that more clients will know about it. One of the cost-effective ways is by using social media. You can easily post promotions, announcements, and future activities of your florist business for free. Digital marketing is also an option, especially if you have a website for your online, home-based flower shop.
In marketing your florist business, you may want to hire a professional marketing service provider who can help you grow your business in the online world. There are many experienced florists out there who are more than willing and happy to help you succeed in your business.
· Be Ready to Answer Inquiries and Demands
In time, more customers become aware of your florist business, which is why it is important to have a support system that will help you accommodate them. As you expect more customers to avail of your flower bouquets and arrangements, make sure that you are always ready to answer their calls.
Starting up a home-based flower shop is easier if you know the steps to take. Give attention to the proper handling of fresh-cut flowers and to proper management of the business. Fortunately, professional help is available. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from people who have expertise in the floristry business.
