The 5 Steps to Becoming a Florist
After whetting your appetite with 8 good reasons to visit an artisan florist, the Sessile editorial team is here to walk you through the 5 essential steps to becoming a florist. From discovering your calling to choosing a training program and developing the necessary skills, we’ll walk you through the journey that leads a flower enthusiast to become a professional artisan florist.
1. Discovering Your Calling
You’ve probably heard the saying: “You’re not born a florist—you become one,” haven’t you? The craft of floristry is, more than a matter of skill, a matter of calling. Did you grow up surrounded by plants? Have you taken the saying “we must tend our garden” to heart? Then you’re more than suited to the craft of floristry!
But this calling may lie dormant for years and only reveal itself later in life… Don’t worry! If you’ve always been passionate about flowers and plants and feel the urge to open your own shop, know that it’s never too late to get started—as long as you find the right continuing education program.
2. Choosing a Floral Design Program
Once you've reflected on your passion for flowers and put it into words, you've taken the first step. Now you need to choose a path that will equip you with the right skills and knowledge.
While no specific degree is strictly required, it is recommended that you complete a vocational training program through an accredited institution. The various paths that will lead you to your goal are listed below:
– The vocational baccalaureate in horticulture;
– The CAP (Certificate of Professional Competence), which takes 2 years to complete (1 year if you already have a baccalaureate);
– The two-year Professional Certificate (or BP), which strengthens technical skills and business management.
The CAP is certainly sufficient to work as a florist, but we strongly recommend that you pursue a professional certification at some point to hone your skills; find out which organizations are closest to you. By the way, what do you need to know to become a florist?
I find my bouquet of flowers
3. Expand your knowledge and expertise
Being a florist requires a wide range of skills. First and foremost, you need extensive knowledge of flowers and their symbolism so you can recommend the products that best meet customers’ needs, as well as provide them with advice and care tips. As a result, training programs place a strong emphasis on courses in botany and plant biology.
Of course, the profession of artisan florist is also a hands-on trade. That is why floral design courses teach the art of floral arrangement and include training in technical skills.
Florists must also possessa certain aesthetic and artistic sensibility to create harmonious arrangements through the blending of colors, the structure of the bouquet, and the combination of textures. A florist needs a keen eye for ornamentation and interior design; some even take design classes to broaden their horizons! Training programs therefore often include art history courses to strengthen these aesthetic qualities.
Let's not forget that being a florist also means being a business owner. That's why these training programs include courses on inventory management and sales techniques so you can make a living doing what you love.
Now that you know the theory and have learned the skills, all that’s left is to gain experience working with a seasoned professional.
4. Complete an apprenticeship as a florist
To become a florist, you need to learn from skilled artisans who have several years of experience. No matter how well you know the techniques and the plants, nothing can replace hands-on experience.
If you choose to pursue your training on a full-time basis, you’ll need to find internships to gain your first hands-on experience in a shop. Most organizations also offer apprenticeship programs, which allow you to take classes while learning the trade from a master craftsman.
You're finally going to get the key that rewards all your hard work! But there's one last detail to take care of…
5. Find Your Store
Of course, you’ll need a place where you can practice your trade. There are several options available to you: you can certainly start out as an employee at a well-known florist’s shop if you feel you still have things to learn.
If the desire for independence becomes too strong, all you have to do is buy a business and get started!
And to simplify order management and day-to-day operations, it’s highly recommended that you have the right tools! A cash register is essential for keeping track of your finances. For example, you might want to check out Tactill, which offers a clear interface with all the conveniences of a touchscreen!
Bonus: Building Your Online Presence
Today, it has become essential to have a strong online presence that showcases your expertise and artistic sensibility—just as much as having a beautiful storefront. Social media, Google My Business, showcase websites… There are many tools that florists need to master in order to attract new customers online.
At Sessile, we help all artisan florists who are interested in doing so to build their online presence, while providing them with an online store tailored to the unique needs of their profession.
In any case, the entire Sessile team wishes you the best of luck on this wonderful adventure.
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.
