How to Become a Florist. What I’d Do Differently Starting Over
If you’re wondering how to become a florist or how to start a floral business, I want to share something that could save you years of burnout.
You do not need to struggle your way into this industry.
You don’t need to work for free.
You don’t need to figure everything out as you go.
And you definitely don’t need to undercharge just because you’re new. If I were starting over today, here’s exactly what I would do differently.
1. Build a Pricing System Before Taking a Single Job
Before I took on any event, I would have a clear pricing structure in place. Not rough guesses. Not something I figure out every time someone asks.
A real system.
That means:
Knowing your cost of goods
Having set pricing tiers (small, medium, large)
Understanding your labor rate
For example:
Bridal bouquet
Bridesmaid bouquet
Bud vase
Petite arrangement
Standard arrangement
You don’t need a huge menu. You need clarity and consistency. Without a system, every inquiry feels overwhelming. With a system, you can quote quickly, feel confident, and actually make money.
2. Say Yes to Small Jobs, but Show Your Full Value
Let’s say your cousin asks you to do her baby shower and her flower budget is $200 to $300. It will happen. But here’s what I would do differently:
I would still send a professional invoice.
That invoice would include:
Flowers: $200 to $300
Labor: for example $300 to $500
Then I would discount the labor.
Not remove it.
Not ignore it.
Not pretend it doesn’t exist.
Show it, then gift it.
You could say:
“I’d love to do this for you. Since I’m still building my portfolio, I’ll cover the labor. If you can cover the cost of the flowers, we’re good to go.”
This does two important things:
It communicates your value
It prevents resentment later
People don’t automatically know what your time is worth. If you don’t show them, they will assume.
A Simple Pricing Guideline to Keep in Mind
If you’re not sure what you should be charging yet, here’s a helpful starting point:
As a general rule, you don’t want to spend more than about 40% of your total budget on your expenses.
That includes:
Flowers
Mechanics (hard goods)
Labor
The remaining 60% supports your overhead and profit.
For example, I typically aim to spend around 20% on flowers. So if your flower cost is $200, that would support roughly a $1,000 total job when priced properly.
This kind of structure helps you avoid underpricing from the very beginning and gives you a baseline to work from as you gain experience.
3. Start Freelancing Immediately (Even at Entry-Level Pay)
The fastest way to learn flowers is simple. Work with flowers. If you want to be an event florist, go work for an event florist.
Even if:
It’s minimum wage
It’s entry level
It’s not glamorous
Reach out and say:
“I’m new but eager to learn. I’m reliable, I work well under pressure, and I’m happy to start wherever you need.”
You won’t get hired for your experience. You’ll get hired for your attitude.
Once you’re in:
Show up early
Stay curious
Ask questions
Observe everything
This is where your real education begins.
4. Build Your Own “Flower Library”
Floristry is not just design. It’s product knowledge. If I were starting over, I would treat it like learning a language.
I would:
Photograph flowers constantly
Learn names, seasonality, and behavior
Take notes on longevity and processing
You don’t need to know everything right away, but you do need to start learning.
Try this:
Pick 100 common flowers
Identify them
Study them
Work with them
The better you understand your materials, the better your designs will be.
5. Invest in Floral Design Education Sooner
There’s a common belief in this industry that you should just figure it out as you go. I don’t agree.
If you were becoming a nurse, you would go to school.
If you were becoming a hairstylist, you would train.
Floristry is no different.
That might look like:
Taking a mechanics class
Learning foundational techniques
Studying with experienced designers
Yes, there can be an upfront investment. Floral design education shortens the gap between trying and actually becoming profitable.
6. Practice With Intention and Stay Curious
Practice matters, but how you practice matters more. Go to Trader Joe’s. Buy flowers. Start arranging. Then take it a step further.
Pay attention to what you’re drawn to:
Colors
Movement
Texture
Shape
Ask yourself why. Break it down. Study it. Try to recreate elements of it. But just as important as practicing is staying curious.
Let yourself explore with a kind of childlike curiosity. Try things just to see what happens. Combine flowers you wouldn’t normally choose. Play with shape and movement without worrying if it’s “right.”That curiosity is what sparks creativity and keeps this work exciting.
You are not just learning techniques. You are training your eye and your intuition. You are practicing so you can eventually create something that feels like your own. Trust me, your personal style will develop over time.
7. Set Yourself Up With a Consistent Floral Toolkit
There is so much in this industry that is constantly changing.
Flowers change.
Seasons change.
Weather changes.
Venues and logistics shift from job to job.
Your toolkit should not.
If I were starting over, I would make sure I had a consistent set of tools that I bring to every job. Because when everything else feels unpredictable, your tools are what ground you.
If you’re freelancing, this matters even more. Showing up prepared communicates professionalism immediately. A plumber doesn’t show up and ask to borrow a wrench. You shouldn’t show up and ask to borrow snips.
My Essential Floral Toolkit
I put together a printable version of my toolkit that I’ve built and refined over the past 15+ years as a professional florist.
👉 Download the Essential Floral Toolkit here [Insert PDF link]
Final Thought: Build a Business, Not Just a Hobby
This industry is beautiful, but it is also demanding.
If you don’t set up systems early, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of:
Undercharging
Overdelivering
Burning out
If you’re learning how to become a florist or starting a floral business, know this:
You can build something sustainable from the beginning.
You can:
Charge for your time
Communicate your value
Create systems that support your creativity
And the sooner you do that, the sooner your business will too.
Want Help Building These Systems From the Start?
If you’re serious about starting a floral business, this is exactly why I created:
À La Carte Made Easy: The Florist’s Guide to Profitable, Stress-Free Weddings
👉 Learn more about my new course by clicking here