Explore
Retail & event floral design
Florist
A perishable product, and Valentine's Day decides your year.
Typical pay
$30k-$65k
How you get in
On the job or a short design program
Outlook
Steady; event and studio florists outperform retail shops
Florists design and arrange flowers for retail, weddings and events. The product wilts, the holidays are brutal and concentrated, and event and wedding work is where the margins actually are.
A day in the life
- 6:00aReceive the flower delivery, process and condition stems
- 8:00aFill the day's orders and arrangements
- 11:00aWalk-ins and phone orders
- 1:00pLunch
- 2:00pWedding consultation and proposal
- 4:00pPrep for tomorrow, condition new stock, clean coolers
How to get in
Shop employee to designer
Duration
6-24 months
Cost
$0 — paid from day one
Credential
None
- Get hired processing flowers and doing basic arrangements
- Learn mechanics, conditioning and design fundamentals
- Take on custom and sympathy work
- Move toward weddings and events, where the money is
Floral design program
Duration
2-6 months
Cost
$1,000-$8,000
Credential
Certificate; AIFD accreditation later
- Complete a floral design course
- Learn color theory, mechanics and installation techniques
- Assist established wedding florists to learn event scale
- Pursue AIFD accreditation for high-end credibility
Studio or event florist business
Duration
1-3 years
Cost
$5,000-$40,000
Credential
Business license and insurance
- Build a portfolio of wedding and event work while employed
- Start a studio business with no retail storefront and far lower overhead
- Buy through wholesalers and price by proposal, not per stem
- Weddings booked a year ahead give real cash flow visibility
What people love
- · Creative, tactile daily work
- · Weddings and events carry strong margins
- · Studio florists can work without a storefront
- · No credential required
What wears people down
- · Product spoils — waste directly cuts profit
- · Valentine's and Mother's Day are punishing
- · Cold, wet hands and repetitive cuts
- · Retail shop margins are thin