How to run a successful flower business

Would it shock you to hear that you can run a hugely successful flower business and not be the best designer in town?

I know. I know.

In a world that is bombarded with beautiful designs and stunning blooms, Instagram feeds that are carefully curated and effortlessly showing those perfectly painted flower studios, it’s unexpected to hear someone say it.

The truth is, none of that matters. Yes, having a beautiful work environment is lovely. Learning the fundamentals of design and mechanics is important.

But it’s not what matters when it comes to running a successful flower business.

What does matter?

At the end of the day, it’s so important to remember that when you’re launching a flower business, it’s still a business.

As in, a for-profit, makin’ money, going concern of a thing.

Making the decision to jump into the world for profit is not for everyone. Dabbling in designs and taking a short course are a great place to start.

Of course, I’ll be the first to tell you, flowers are fun. So fun. But so is making money.

And at the end of the day, making money is the name of the game in business, and that includes running a flower business.

No, you don’t need to build a massive empire and get greedy about it. But you do need to learn the ins and out of business. Pricing, contracts, managing staff. And of course, the wonderful world of marketing.

When it comes to being a florist, there is so much to learn. You need to understand the fundamentals of design, get comfortable with your mechanics and learn as much as you can about flower care.

But the leap to turning our passion for flowers into a profitable business, requires a new level of thinking.

How to grow your business

When you’re the boss of your business, you are stepping into a whole new persona.

We are so well conditioned to look outside of ourselves for guidance and advice. When we’re kids, our parents are the authority. Then we go to school and our teachers run the show. When we get our first job, we have a boss.

There is always someone else around to tell us what to do.

The thing they don’t tell you, when you register at the tax office or sign up for your business license, is you are now the authority. The one in charge of running your flower business.

And stepping up, taking charge is the name of the game when you’re running a business. You is the boss, the one in charge, yeah?

It’s not your friends, not your industry peers and definitely not your customers.

This is your business. You are in charge.

How to run a flower business? Step in to your authority

What no one tells you, when you decide to start a flower business, is being in charge feels scary. It’s so unfamiliar and overwhelming to be the authority.

If you look up “authority” on the Googles, here’s what you find: the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Wow. Yeah. No wonder being in charge of a business feels so awkward and scary.

How many of us, as kids, thought, “Yeah, one day, I’m going to be the one to give orders and enforce obedience.”

Definitely not me. I always was the one who needed to fall into line. To achieve and obey the rules. No way was I going to be the one who set the rules.

And now I’m here. Running my dictatorship and loving the power.

So fun!

Of course, the challenge with figuring out how to run a flower business is that it is an absolute emotional roller coaster.

We are human and have a human brain. Our primitive brain is programmed to keep us safe and secure, to protect us from danger.

Which is so helpful because it prevents us from walking out in front of a moving car.

In the context of building a business, we are confronted with uncertainty and feel scared almost every single day. And if we let that fear dominate our path, we’re not going to get anywhere.

Friend, if you’re anything like me, and never really saw yourself as an “authority”, I get it. It feels unfamiliar and scary.

But it’s so worth it. You are going to blow your own dang mind with what you achieve in your business.

Absolutely yes!

Help running your flower business

And finally, learning how to run a flower business doesn’t mean you need a university degree or fancy-pants corporate experience. I do have these things and am happy to share everything you need to know.

If you want to learn more about my Flower Boss Bootcamp and see if it’s right for you, sign-up for a free 20 minute Mini-Session with me.

💖

Kathleen

P.S. I’ve done a podcast on this topic which you may like. Find it on Spotify here or listen on the player below.