Artisan Florist: A Career Driven by Passion
In recent years, numerous factors have fueled a return to craftsmanship, with passion as the primary driving force. A renewed appreciation for the craft and the pursuit of professional fulfillment are among the reasons behind the growing number of people making the transition to manual labor. At Sessile, the stars are the florists. Let’s take a look at how to become a florist and what qualities are common among those passionate about flowers.
What a journey!
There are as many paths tobecominga florist as there are leaflets on an Arum Titan. Pierre Banchereau, founder of the Parisian shop Debeaulieu, said in an interview:“I took the entrance exam for the Versailles School of Landscape Architecture, the best in France, but I wasn’t a good enough student. I had even taken drawing classes specifically for that purpose, but it wasn’t enough. Most of the applicants had already completed a year of study at the School of Fine Arts.”
It is important to note that no degree is required to work as a florist or to open a flower shop. As with any profession, it is recommended that you take training courses to learn the basics of the trade—which goes beyond simply knowing how to arrange a bouquet —as well as essential related skills such as accounting, customer service, logistics, and so on.
I find my bouquet of flowers
There are several options for training in this field: from the CAP in floristry to retraining programs, as well as various vocational baccalaureates and professional certificates. Most of these programs are fee-based and full-time—although financial assistance may be available in some cases.
Since a degree is not required, your best qualification is your experience. Internships or jobs at flower shops are invaluable stepping stones toward fulfilling your calling. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local florist or florist associations to find a job opportunity, even if it’s just temporary.
But am I cut out to be a florist?
Certainly, the florist's trade is all about glamour and creativity.
Nevertheless, to be a successful florist, one must combine creativity with genuine physical and mental stamina. One must be able to stand for long hours, sometimes in cold and damp conditions. Business acumen is an absolute must in this industry, where customers place great trust in their florist. Finally, strong organizational skills are necessary to manage inventories of delicate flowers as well as the business’s cash flow.
Like the concept of a soulmate, the idea of a calling hasn’t yet been scientifically proven. Until proven otherwise, no one can discourage you from following the inner voice that draws you to flowers. We can’t stress enough how important it is to talk to your florist. Real-life experiences are undoubtedly the best guides to help you make your choice. To give you a little extra inspiration, we’ll soon be sharing some examples of flower success stories. Stay tuned!
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.
